Chains

Hello Bloggie Fans,
I hope that you are excited for the weekend as much as I am :) The next book that I have for you is a book that captures the idea of freedom-for slaves and for America. Halse has written an outstanding book, based on real events and real people. The perspective of the book also allows students to see things in a different light, to see how things were for slaves. Chains would make an excellent supplement to a history lesson- allowing for the integration of English and History. The age that would be appropriate for this book would be 6th-8th grade. I will once again attach links for other reviews/synopisis of the book. So without further ado- "Pull up a chair, Grap a cup of coffee and Enjoy!

Close your eyes and imagine that you are a slave- nothing but property. You aren't allowed to speak out of turn, you aren't allowed to be literate, you are simply their to work. Now imagine that your owner had put in her will that you were to be freed. However, the will is nowhere to be found, and you aren't worth the time or the effort to have it located. You have had a sliver of freedom, a mere taste, and now you are property, back down to nothing.
This is the situation that Isabelle has found herself in, only she is ot alone, she has a sister with epilepsy. They have been sold to new owners that serve on the loyalist party in New York. While there Isabelle is forced to decide whether she is to betray her master and help the rebels- with the hope of freedom. However, plans change, promises aren't kept and Isabelles family gets split apart. Will she survive her cruel masters? Will Isabelles family be reunited? Does freedom come to her? These are all questions that you have to discover on your own, but just as Isabelle had a taste of freedom-you have had your appetite wet for this splendid novel. Relax, Enjoy the rest of your coffee and pick up this book.
-Alys

Links for Readers

http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/
http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/chains
http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781416905851-0