Bibliography
Anderson, Laurie Halse.
2008. Chains. New York: Atheneum
Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-1416905851.
Brief plot summary
Set during the American Revolution, Chains tells the story of
thirteen-year-old Isabel and her sister Ruth, young slaves who expect to be
freed when their owner, Miss Finch dies. Instead, they are sold to a cruel New
York City couple, Mr. and Mrs. Lockton, who are British Loyalists. When Isabel
meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on
her owners. Although reluctant at first, Isabel realizes that her loyalty is available
to whoever can provide her with the promise of freedom.
Critical analysis
Written from the
first-person point of view, Chains is
a gripping historical thriller that tells the parallel stories of Isabel’s fight
to gain her personal freedom and a young nation’s fight for freedom from the
tyranny of England. The characters are skillfully drawn and Isabel’s emotional
story is thought provoking. Slave masters are accurately depicted and Isabel
gives insight into the experiences, feelings and opinions of slaves.
Anderson’s love for
research is apparent throughout the book. Readers will feel as if they have
been transported to 1776 through the detailed descriptions and rich imagery. The
themes of power, freedom and the sources of human strength keep this engrossing
story moving ahead at full speed from the first page through the last words.
The epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter are well chosen and add to the
authenticity of the story.
An appendix addresses many
questions about history that readers will appreciate. This is the first book in
a trilogy. The sequel, Forge, is
already available and the final book Ashes
is expected in Fall 2012.
Review excerpts
“Anderson
explores elemental themes of power, freedom, and the sources of human strength
in this searing, fascinating story.” – Booklist,
Starred Review
“Readers
will care deeply about Isabel….” – Kirkus
Reviews, Starred Review
“The characters are well developed, and the situations are realistic. An author's note gives insight into issues surrounding the Revolutionary War and the fight for the nation's freedom even though 20 percent of its people were in chains. Well researched and affecting in its presentation, the story offers readers a fresh look at the conflict and struggle of a developing nation.” – School Library Journal
“The characters are well developed, and the situations are realistic. An author's note gives insight into issues surrounding the Revolutionary War and the fight for the nation's freedom even though 20 percent of its people were in chains. Well researched and affecting in its presentation, the story offers readers a fresh look at the conflict and struggle of a developing nation.” – School Library Journal
“Anderson
(Speak; Fever 1793) packs so much detail into her evocation of wartime New
York City that readers will see the turmoil and confusion of the times, and her
solidly researched exploration of British and Patriot treatment of slaves
during a war for freedom is nuanced and evenhanded, presented in service of a
fast-moving, emotionally involving plot.” – Publishers
Weekly, Starred Review
“Anderson's
novel is remarkable for its strong sense of time and place and for its nuanced
portrait of slavery and of New York City during the Revolutionary War.” – Horn Book
“Engrossing
. . . a heart-racing story.” – Bulletin
of the Center for Children’s Books
“Chains offers a perfect springboard for
classroom discussion and history lessons. But don't dismiss it as academic
fodder. Battle scenes and politics, heroic acts and secret plots fill its
pages, making it as exciting for readers who prefer action (as do many boys) as
it is inspiring for those more drawn to stories about people and relationships
(as girls often are).” – Christian
Science Monitor
Awards / Best Books
Cybil Award Winner, 2009
National Book Award
Finalist, 2008
Parents’ Choice Award
Gold, 2008
School Library Journal
Battle of the Kids Books Nominee, 2009
Scott O’Dell Award for
Historical Fiction Winner, 2009
School Library Journal
Battle of the Kids’ Books Nominee, 2010
ALSC Notable Children’s
Books, 2009
Amazon Editors’ Picks: Top
10 Books, 2008
Booklist Best Books for
Young Adults, 2009
Publishers Weekly Best
Children’s Books, 2008
School Library Journal
Best Books, 2009
Teachers’ Choices, 2009
YALSA Best Books for Young
Adults, 2009
Classroom Connections
Schedule a Skype visit
with Laurie Halse Anderson. The current fee is $300 for a 45-60 minute long
session with Ms. Anderson. Students can hear the author talk about the book and
ask her questions. Visit http://madwomanintheforest.com/teachers/skype/
for more information.
Students view “Liberty in
the Air” episode of Slavery and the
Making of America (PBS).
Students will examine the life of Titus, a runaway slave from New Jersey
who led a band of guerilla soldiers for the British, and explore why and how
African Americans fought during the Revolution. Students will then have the
opportunity to visit online interactive resources. As a culminating activity,
students creatively write journal entries from a variety of historical perspectives,
including slave, runaway slave, slave owner, and British soldier. Full lesson
plan can be found at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/teachers/lesson1.html.
Students view “Liberty in
the Air” episode of Slavery and the
Making of America (PBS).
Students will examine Thomas Jefferson’s complex and contradictory
relationship with slavery. Through an examination of a variety of online
primary source documents, students will examine his attitude toward slavery and
how he addresses it in the Declaration of Independence. Students will rewrite
portions of the Declaration of Independence to more accurately reflect
Jefferson’s views and the views of contemporary American society. Full lesson
plan can be found at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/teachers/lesson2.html.
Research and learn more
about Colonial-era slavery or the American Revolution in New York City.
Other related books:
- Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson – ISBN 978-1416961444
- Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson – ISBN 978-0689848919
- The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume 1: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson – ISBN 978-0763636791
- The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves by M.T. Anderson – ISBN 978-0763646264
- Eyewitness: American Revolution by Stuart Murray – ISBN 978-0756610593
- George vs. George: The American Revolution As Seen from Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer – ISBN 978-1426300424
- George Washington, Spymaster: How the Americans Outspied the British and Won the Revolutionary War by Thomas B. Allen – ISBN 978-1426300417
