Friday, November 7, 2008

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson - ESSENTIAL


Anderson, Laurie Halse Chains, 300 p. Simon and Schuster, 2008. $17

Content: G

MS - ESSENTIAL

Isabel and her sister Ruth were promised freedom upon the death of their mistress. Instead, they are sold again to a family in New York - Loyalists on the side of King George at the beginning of the American Revolution. Madame Lockton is harsh with her slaves and Ruth is eager for freedom, but when she supplies information to the revolutionaries they fail to rescue her and when the British arrive to occupy New York, they will not help her either. As the war heats up, Ruth's situation becomes more dire, with danger coming from within the house, from the antagonistic Madame, and from outside the house, as the war encroaches on the city.

Anderson has added a fresh perspective to the body of Revolution historical fiction, with her look at the life of a loyalist family. It would be an excellent addition to a small group read of historical fiction.

CINDY

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