Isabel and her sister, Ruth, are slaves. Sold from one owner to the next, they arrive in New York as the Americans are fighting for their independence, and the English are struggling to maintain control. Soon Isabel is struggling too. Struggling to keep herself and her sister safe in a world in which they have no control. With a rare and compelling voice, this haunting novel tells not only the story of a remarkable girl and her incredible strength, but also of a time and place in which slavery was the order of the day and ...
Read More
Isabel and her sister, Ruth, are slaves. Sold from one owner to the next, they arrive in New York as the Americans are fighting for their independence, and the English are struggling to maintain control. Soon Isabel is struggling too. Struggling to keep herself and her sister safe in a world in which they have no control. With a rare and compelling voice, this haunting novel tells not only the story of a remarkable girl and her incredible strength, but also of a time and place in which slavery was the order of the day and lives were valued like weights of meat or bundles of vegetables.
Read Less
A good, solid story taking place during the Revolutionary War. I think many people overlook the use of slaves during early American times, and "Chains" brings out a story you won't soon forget.
The author writes a gripping story that reels you in. Isabel is wrongfully sold into slavery, along with her younger sister, Ruth. Coming under bondage by the hand of the unsympathetic Locktons, young Isabel finds herself being bolted into place. Bound by the invisible chains of slavery, she just wants the freedom that was intended to be hers and her sister's.
"Chains" is an epic tale, which I would gladly read again. But I'll have to read the sequel first.
A note to parents: There is some outright defiance and domestic violence portrayed, in a fight between Isabel and her owner. I'm personally not saying this is bad quality in the book, for I truly felt for Isabel in those times, although some families may not care for their children to read scenes like that.
Jeanine D
Feb 27, 2012
A good copy
Item shipped quickly and arrived in excellent condition. Thank you!
FMCN1
Sep 24, 2009
Great for Middle School literature classes
I am a middle school teacher and found this book wonderful to use as a class read. I loved that it looked at the Revolutionary War era through the perspective of a young female slave. It dealt not only with the realism of being a slave in NYC during this era but looked at the actual history of the British-American sides in this city and country. My students were fascinated and this book was great for a lot of discussion about the struggles of living in this time period. Highly recommended to provoke thought and discussion.