More to the Story

I love books that give voice to a previously unheard story.  There are many great stories set at the time of the American Revolution but I don't know of any that are from the perspective of a young orphaned slave.

Laurie Halse Anderson gives voice to that story in her novel Chains. Chains tells the story of Isabel a 13 year old slave who thought she was promised freedom but due to the injustice of the time is forced to continue life as a slave, all while caring for her younger sister, Ruth, who appears to have a form of epilepsy.  Isabel is unbelievably strong, brave yet cautious, loyal and fiercely determined.

Set in New York there is the added intrigue of loyalists vs. revolutionaries.  Isabel's masters are loyalists yet the only people she can call friends are fighting for independence.  She is the perfect candidate to be a spy.   Will she take the risk?

Just to warn you the story doesn't end in this book.  If you're looking for a resolution to the story, which I certainly was, you will need to continue with the next book Forge.  

Freeing your soul...that's kids stuff.