Chains

Chains

by: Laurie Halse Anderson

published by: Puffin Books

Summary: Isabel was supposed to be freed, from her late owner, a kind old woman who treated her slaves with respect. But the will where her and her sister's freedom is declared is nowhere to be found, and nobody really cares. Instead both Isabel and her sister, Ruth, are hastily sold to a pair of loyalists who work her to the ground and eventually find out that Ruth has epilepsy which results in her selling. Isabel is furious; she shouts at her owner and runs away. This causes a severe punishment of branding and after that, a little part of her dies. She no longer cares about sides; loyalists or rebels, they are both her enemies. She no longer cares about anything, her sister is sold and her friend Curzon's rebel ways have only gotten her into trouble. Can something help her to come alive again? To cherish life again? Or is all hope lost?

Personal Review: I loved the fresh point of view you get when reading this story. Often when we read about the American Revolution we get the story from the American's point of view or sometimes even from the British point of view. But here is a thrid party who is in the midst of all that is happening and looks upon both Americans and British as her enemies. It allows us to step outside our own shoes for a second and see ourselves as the enemy for a brief period. Chains is a book with beautiful language packed with love and the will to survive. I loved every page.

Cautionary Notes: violence against children, scenes of starvation at the Rebel prison,