Chains

By Laurie Halse Anderson 

     The introduction to a trilogy about the birth of a nation.  Chains is an in your face tale about the harsh realities of slavery.  In this book you meet Isabel and her young sister as they are being sold after their owner has died.  Their mother has passed away a year earlier and Isabel feels that she is responsible for Ruth who is small and  "touched".  They are purchased by a Tory and his wife that are moving back to New York. At the docks they are met with resistance and a search that almost uncovers their secret.  

     The first day in New York, Isabel is told to go fetch the water from the Tea Well.  Since she is new to the city she is escorted by Curzon another enslaved individual.  As they walk to the well, Curzon tries to encourage Isabel to help the Patriots by spying on the loyalist couple, her owners, the Locktons.  Although, Isabel is not content in her current situation, she refuses to do anything that may endanger her or Ruth's lives.  As the siblings settle into the busy city life, tensions mount as rumors of a possible English attack rise.  Isabel is serving Master Lockton and his loyalist friends when they talk about bribing Patriots close to Washington, and feels that this may be a way to get freedom for her and her sister.  

     Everything that Isabel does is in an effort to get freedom and save her sister.  She endures hardship and beatings, a false arrest and detainment, a branding at the hands of her masters.  After the branding of the letter I onto her face she is recognizable by everyone.  So when she starts helping the patriots prisoners, including, Curzon she incites the wrath of Ms. Lockton.  She is strictly forbidden to help the patriots, yet Isabel contrives to be their saving grace and continues to bring food to the unfortunate lads.  Is she able to gain her freedom, can she save Curzon and find her sister?  

     I found this book very entertaining if a little bit hard to read easily.  I am giving this book a 3.5 stars out of 5.  It is a literary work of art just a bit difficult to read, just because of the amount of detail and back story that is required in a tale of this scope.  This is a great way to deepen the understanding and knowledge of the American Revolution and the plight of African Americans through out history.  This is definitely a story worth reading and a tale that needs to be told and remembered.  

Links

Laurie Halse Anderson - Author

African Americans in the Revolutionary War

New York during the Revolutionary War

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

                                                                                                  By Elizabeth George Spear 


    This Newbery Award winning book is a classic story that is well worth the read.  Young Kit has no where to go but to her Aunt's house in the New England Colonies.  Her non traditional upbringing on the island of Barbados has ill prepared her fot the harsh reality of the cold Connecticut winter.  The harsh weather is nothing compared to the strict Puritan community of Wethersfield.
     Kit does not fit into her adoptive family her town.  She was raised in love and kindness and quickly comes in contact with stern Puritan beliefs.  She finds some solace in the home of Hannah Tupper, a Quaker that lives nearby.  Even though Hannah is believed to be a witch, Kit continues to visit the pond and befriend the lonely woman.  This little shack in the marsh becomes Kit's sanctuary which she shares with the frightened Prudence.  Her staunch support of the widow Tupper comes to a head when Hannah is believed to have cast a spell on the town and many are sick and dying.  Kit saves her friends life, but puts her own existence in jeopardy.  By her acknowledgment of the friendship with Hannah, Kit is brought up on witch charges, arrested and brought into the lecture hall for arraignment.  Nat comes to her rescue and Kit is free to return to her family.
     Through this ordeal, Kit comes to a couple of realizations, one William is not the man for her, she knows who she loves and where she wants to live, now is the time to set her future in action.
     This is a story about the plight of early American colonists, the inequality of women and how one strong girl stood up for her own future.  Even though this is not a true historical fiction, it is a very good read. I would give this book a 3.5 stars out of 5.  Even though I enjoyed it, now sure how many young ladies will enjoy the story.  Definitely, do not feel that it would be attractive to most young men.  It is an interesting read, however, and is well worth a look into early colonial America.

Link 

Witch trials in the United States

The Caribbean Trade

Elizabeth George Speare

Colonial Connecticut

Forge

                                                                                                   By Laurie Halse Anderson 

     A young escaped slave, Curzon, aids a young rebel in defeating a red coat.  This one act cements a friendship among the young men.  Curzon ends up re-enlisting in the American Army and marches with the rest of his troop to the winter encampment, Valley Forge.  He is just another soldier, freezing and starving in the bleak valley, until his old master, Mr. Bellingham finds him and he is forced to return to serving at Moore Hall.  Although, he is warm and fed, he would rather return to his compatriots in their hut, because he was a free man.
     Serving Mr. Bellingham and the household at Moore Hall would have been horrible if Curzon had not been reunited with his friend Isabel.  Isabel had helped Curzon escape, and then they had separated due to a misunderstanding.  As soon as he was able Curzon tried to encourage Isabel to escape with him again.  It was only then that she showed him that she wore a metal collar, signifying her slave status.  If she attempted to run, she would be recognized and return to Bellingham immediately.  Curzon decides to leave with out her, until Bellingham informs him that any misdeeds that Curzon does, the punishment will be awarded to Isabel.  Now, they must endeavor to flee together!
     The two bide their time, waiting, listening and learning as much as possible.

     I refuse to tell you of their escape, whether it is successful or not, you have to read this book.  I am giving this book a 5 out of 5 stars, It is an incredible representation of a historical fiction, told from a forgotten voice in our quest for independence.  The details that Anderson utilizes in her description of the huts and the lack of food for the soldiers are incredible.  Too often we romanticize wars and soldiers when the deplorable conditions and actions of soldiers are not so pretty.  This book is great for anybody over fourth grade!

Links 

Valley Forge

Historic Valley Forge

Slavery and the American Revolutionary War

General Washington at Valley Forge