Historical Fiction-Review

Chains

By: Laurie Halse Anderson

A. Bibliographic Data

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2008. Chains. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

ISBN: 978-1-4169-0585-1

B. Plot Summary

Chains is a story about a 13 year old slave girl named Isabel and takes place during the American Revolution. After her master passes away she is sold to a man and his cruel wife, who live in New York City. Isabel is faced with many challenges, but the biggest one of all is the selling of her younger sister Ruth to another family. Isabel befriends a young slave boy named Curzon who coaxes her into becoming a spy for the American army, since her masters support the King of England. Isabel is torn between the splitting up of her family and two nations that are at war with each other. Isabel must go to lengths of pain and torment to break free her her chains.

C. Critical Analysis

Chains is an amazing story and often had my eyes filling up with tears. The power of the words that Laurie Halse Anderson uses expresses the real trials that Isabel goes through. Even though the story is considered fiction you know that Anderson has done her research because you can feel that there is truth behind her words. Chains takes you back to the days of slavery and does not sugar coat at all how awful life was for a slave. However, the book is an strong demonstration and example of how strong the human spirit can be, but you have to find it within yourself, and one can take that away from you. The story elements that Anderson uses are strong throughout the whole book. Chains is an anthem or a voice for every persecuted young girl who has ever gone through terrible things in her life, and shows that you can overcome and rise above it.

D. Awards Won

* National Book Award Finalist

*Scott O'Dell Award

*ALA Best Books for Young Adults

*ALA Notable Children's Books

Booklist Review- "In the spring of 1776, Isabel, a teenage slave, and her sister, Ruth, are sold to ruthless, wealthy loyalists in Manhattan. While running errands, Isabel is approached by rebels, who promise her freedom (and help finding Ruth, who has been sent away) if she agrees to spy. Using the invisibility her slave status brings, Isabel lurks and listens as Master Lockton and his fellow Tories plot to crush the rebel uprisings, but the incendiary proof that she carries to the rebel camp doesn’t bring the desired rewards. Like the central character in M. T. Anderson’s Octavian Nothing duet, Isabel finds that both patriots and loyalists support slavery. The specifics of Isabel’s daily drudgery may slow some readers, but the catalogue of chores communicates the brutal rhythms of unrelenting toil, helping readers to imagine vividly the realities of Isabel’s life. The story’s perspective creates effective contrasts. Overwhelmed with domestic concerns, Isabel and indeed all the women in the household learn about the war from their marginalized position: they listen at doors to rooms where they are excluded, and they collect gossip from the streets. Anderson explores elemental themes of power (“She can do anything. I can do nothing,” Isabel realizes about her sadistic owner), freedom, and the sources of human strength in this searing, fascinating story. The extensive back matter includes a documented section that addresses many questions about history that readers will want to discuss."-Booklist Review

E. Connections

* Students identify and explore real life women heros.

*Read other books by Laurie Halse Anderson-Author Study

* Students research slaves during the Revolutionary War and their duties.