Chains by Anderson, Laurie Halse

From acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson comes this compelling first novel in the historical middle grade The Seeds of America trilogy that shows the lengths we can go to cast off our chains, both physical and spiritual.

As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight...for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel.

When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion. She is reluctant at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with freedom.

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: 10/21/2008
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.94lbs
Size: 8.50h x 6.04w x 1.08d
ISBN: 9781416905851
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.2
Point Value: 11
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 125530 / Chains

Award: National Book Awards - Finalist
Award: Parents Choice Awards (Fall) (2008-Up) - Gold Medal Winner
Award: Scott O Dell Award for Historical Fiction - Winner
Award: Grand Canyon Reader Award - Nominee
Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended
Award: Charlotte Award - Nominee
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Tayshas Reading - Commended
Award: Nutmeg Book Award - Nominee
Award: Carnegie Medal - Nominee
Award: Massachusetts Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Rhode Island Teen Book Award - Nominee
Award: Beehive Awards - Nominee
Award: Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award - Nominee
Award: Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: West Virginia Children's Book Award - Fourth Place
Award: Cybils - Winner
Award: Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award - Nominee
Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Golden Sower Award - Nominee
Award: Iowa Teen Award - Nominee

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 09/01/2008 pg. 54
Kirkus Review - Children 09/01/2008 pg. 938
Voice of Youth Advocates 10/01/2008 pg. 329 - Recommended - Hard To Beat
School Library Journal 10/01/2008 pg. 138
Booklist 11/01/2008 pg. 42
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2008 pg. 696
Publishers Weekly Best Books 11/03/2008 pg. 33
Christian Century 12/16/2008 pg. 27
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2008
New York Times Book Review 12/21/2008 pg. 13
Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2009 pg. 13
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2009 - Superior,Well Above Average
ALA Best Books Young Adults 03/15/2009 pg. 12
ALA Notable Children's Books 03/15/2009 pg. 24

About the Author
Laurie Halse Anderson is a New York Times bestselling author known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity. She's twice been a National Book Award finalist, for Chains and Speak; Chains also received the 2009 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Laurie was chosen for the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award and received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2023, presented to her by the Crown Princess of Sweden. She lives in Pennsylvania, and you can follow her adventures on X (previously known as Twitter) @HalseAnderson or visit her at MadWomanintheForest.com.