Chains

Written by Laurie Halse Anderson

1. Bibliography

Anderson, L. H. 2008. Chains. New York, NY: Atheneum Books. ISBN 9781416905851

2. Plot Summary

Chains is an exciting story about a young girl named Isabel who was born into slavery and cannot escape it.  Isabel and her sister Ruth lose their mother first and their old owner Mrs. Finch, who freed them of slavery in her Will.  However Mrs. Finch’s nephew, Mr. Robert, has other plans and sells Isabel and Ruth to a Mr. and Mrs. Lockton of New York.  Mr. and Mrs. Lockton are not the kindest people.  Mrs. Lockton parades little Ruth around like a doll to her friends until Ruth has a seizure.  Ruth has something wrong with her and is often referred to as adorable, but simple minded.  Isabel minds her manners and does her chores until one day when Mrs. Lockton sends Ruth away because she is superstitious and afraid of her and the seizures.  Isabel has no idea where her sister is and directs her anger at Mrs. Lockton, which results in horrible consequences. 

Meanwhile in the background of Isabel’s story is the beginning of the Revolutionary War in the year 1776.  Isabel befriends a boy named Curzon, who is a slave for a Rebel supporter.  Curzon convinces Isabel to help the Rebel cause by spying on Mr. Lockton and his friends who are Loyalists.  The situation becomes very dangerous for Isabel and Curzon when fighting and fires break out and the Loyalists take over New York City.  This exciting and enlightening historical fiction novel will make you want to read more about the American Revolution and Isabel’s plight.

3. Critical Analysis

Anderson masterfully weaves a tale of a poor slave girl struggling to gain her and her sisters freedom and the beginning of the American Revolution together.  Anderson’s main character Isabel is a spirited girl who would do anything to protect her little sister, Ruth, even take a beating for her.  When Isabel and Ruth are sold to Mr. and Mrs. Lockton, a Loyalist couple from New York, Isabel finds it increasingly harder to protect her sister.  Mrs. Lockton separates them by having adorable little Ruth dress up and parade around for her friends all day while Isabel is off doing chores.  When Mrs. Lockton witnesses Ruth having a fit or seizure she becomes afraid of her and sends her away.  Isabel is furious and directs her anger at Mrs. Lockton, which results in horrible consequences that will make the reader want to cry.  It is when Isabel is at her weakest that she finds a friend in Mrs. Seymour, Mr. Lockton’s older mother who tries to help her throughout the story.  Anderson clearly shows the unjust and debasing life of a slave in 1776 in New York City. 

She also shows us the secret network of Rebel and Loyalist communication during the Revolutionary War by having Isabel become a spy for her friend Curzon.  Isabel has made up her mind to avoid the situation between the two sides, until Curzon joins the Rebel cause in place of his master and ends up in jail.  In order to keep Curzon alive and fed Isabel must spy and carry messages for Curzon’s jail mates.  Anderson’s fast passed and detailed writing style keeps the reader wanting more.  The historical facts are cleverly entwined with Isabel’s story and are not overwhelming to the reader.  Chains shows you another side of history from the point of view of Isabel, who can’t see the good or the benefit of supporting either side of the American Revolution.

Anderson’s rich character development and interesting plot will quickly draw in readers.  This book has a 4.7 reading level or fourth grade, but probably will appeal more to older students because of the details of the American Revolution and harsh themes of slavery, war, and poverty.  The book also touches on the topic of survival and overcoming odds.  I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to read the sequel called Forge.

4. Review Excerpts

2009 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

2008 National Book Award Finalist

IRA Teachers' Choices booklist for 2009

Selected by Indie Booksellers for the Winter 2009 Kids' List

2008 Booklist's Editors Choice-Books for Youth

2009 Top 10 Black History Books for Youth

2009 Notable Children's Book

The Washington Post Review- As she did so well with Fever 1793, Laurie Halse Anderson vividly captures a chaotic historical time. Shortlisted for this year's National Book Award, Chains is a nuanced portrayal of a nation and a girl bound for freedom. –Mary Quattlebaum

Hornbook 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.”

Publishers Weekly Review-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. Ages 10-up. (Oct.)

Kirkus Reviews-" 'Freedom and liberty' has many meanings," but enslaved Isabel knows that while Loyalists and Patriots battle for their own versions of freedom, she is "chained between two nations" that uphold slavery. She wonders, "If an entire nation could seek its freedom, why not a girl?" Anderson brilliantly recreates New York City in the summer of 1776, viewed through the eyes of a remarkable heroine. Taught to read by her previous owner, Isabel knows the Bible and has memorized poetry, and her eloquent first-person voice portrays her life as a slave even as she spies for the rebels, covertly delivers food to Bridewell Prison and plots her own escape. Readers will care deeply about Isabel and may feel frustrated by the abrupt ending to the novel, clearly poised for a sequel or two. While waiting, they can enjoy M.T. Anderson's The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation: Volume II, The Kingdom on the Waves, another superb take on the subject. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 10 & up)

5. Connections

Isabel’s freedom is taken from her by Mr. Finch in the beginning of the story.  She also suffers many injustices at the hands of cruel Mrs. Lockton.  How did this made you feel as a reader?  How did characters such as Mrs. Seymour, Becky, and Curzon help Isabel?  Discuss your ideas as a class or in groups, and then write two or three paragraphs about your ideas.

Laurie Halse Anderson cleverly inserts facts about the Revolutionary War into the background of this book.  Research on the internet or read other non-fiction books about the American Revolution and compare them to the historical facts found in the book Chains.

Non-fiction books on the American Revolution:

American Revolution Battles and Leaders by DK Publishing ISBN: 978-0789498892

Liberty or Death: The American Revolution: 1763-1783 by Betsy Maestro ISBN: 978-0688088026

In 1776 by Jean Marzollo ISBN: 978-0545110730

George vs. George: The Revolutionary War as Seen by Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer ISBN: 978-0792273493

You Wouldn't Want to Be at the Boston Tea Party!: Wharf Water Tea, You'd Rather Not Drink by Peter Cook ISBN: 978-0531124475

Websites on the American Revolution:

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/revolutionarywar.htm

http://www.kidinfo.com/American_History/American_Revolution.html

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/northamerica/after1500/history/revolution.htm

http://www.kidskonnect.com/subject-index/16-history/251-american-revolution.html

Do an author study on Laurie Halse Anderson.  Read other books she has written and talk about her writing style.  Compare and contrast the main characters of her other books to Isabel. 

Historical Fiction:

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson ISBN: 978-1416961451

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson ISBN: 978-0689848919

Some of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Young Adult Contemporary Fiction Books:

Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson ISBN: 978-0142400012

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson ISBN: 978-0312674397

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson ISBN: 978-0142411841

Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson ISBN: 978-0142405703