Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Chains is an historical fiction novel for teens written by Laurie Halse Anderson. The plot revolves around the amazing journey of a 13 year old slave girl named Isabel who struggles for freedom during the American Revolution. In the spring of 1776 Isabel and her little sister were sold into a family of wealthy British Loyalists living in New York City. Here Isabel works tirelessly and is physically and emotionally abused by her new mistress. While running errands one day she is approached by a young African American rebel who promises freedom if she agrees to spy for the Patriots. Because of her invisibility as a slave in the house, she overhears her master and his fellow Loyalist spies plotting to kill General George Washington. Isabel is subsequently betrayed by the rebels and freedom remains illusive for her. She comes to realize that whether she supports the British cause or if she supports the Patriots’ revolution, she will be chained to a nation that upholds slavery. She must save herself and her sister from this cruelty.

Chains is an unusual novel in that it deals with slavery during the American Revolution rather slavery during the Civil War. Furthermore, it is unusual in that the setting is New York City in the late 18th century rather than Boston, which was the major setting for the American Revolution. I think that Anderson gives a wonderful portrait of slavery and of New York City during this time period. Anderson obviously researched the era before writing the novel; she even includes an appendix that gives insight into key issues surrounding the war.

The novel is written from the perspective of Isabel. The reader is given a very sympathetic understanding of what life was like for her as a young slave and for a person enduring the agony of the war.

Chains is a very insightful and captivating novel. I wholeheartedly recommend it to teens (or anyone else) interested in reading historical fiction.