Chains
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 12–16 · 2008 · Est. 7 hour read

Chains

Written by Laurie Halse Anderson

Book #1 in the Seeds of America series

A young girl fights for freedom amidst the Revolutionary War's chaos.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 59,828 ratings
316 pages· 75,381 words· Est. 7 hour read
$8.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In the throes of the Revolutionary War, thirteen-year-old Isabel faces a harrowing choice. Promised freedom, she and her sister Ruth are instead trapped by a cruel couple in New York. When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with Patriot connections, he urges her to spy on her owners. Reluctant but desperate, Isabel's resolve is tested when tragedy strikes Ruth. Will Isabel risk everything for a chance at freedom, or remain shackled by fear? As the nation battles for independence, Isabel's personal revolution begins, where loyalty and liberty hang in the balance.

From the publisher

If an entire nation could seek its freedom, why not a girl?

As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight…for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel. When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion. She is reluctant at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with freedom.

From acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson comes this compelling, impeccably researched novel that shows the lengths we can go to cast off our chains, both physical and spiritual.

Awards

National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (2008)Cybils Award (2009)Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (2009)
At a glance
Format
Pages
316
Words
75,381
Reading age
12–16
Audience
Young Adult
Lexile
780L
Themes & topics
Books about spiesBooks about slaveryBooks about American Revolutionary WarBooks about AmericaBooks about history
For readers who can't stop at one

The next favorite is already out there.

Age-appropriate books selected to help their love of reading grow, delivered right to their door.

Find their book club
Bookroo club box with books for growing readers
The author

More from Laurie Halse Anderson

Explore Laurie's bookshelf
Thank You, Sarah
Sale price
$1999

Thank You, Sarah

Ages 5–8 · 2002

Shout

Ages 13–18 · 2019
#1 in Series
Sale price
$799

Fight for Life

Ages 8–12 · 2000

The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School

Ages 4–8 · 2009
The series

The Seeds of America series

See the whole series

Forge

Ages 10–13 · 2010

Ashes

Ages 10–13 · 2016
Your next read

Books that feel like this one

See all similar books

The Boy in the Black Suit

Ages 12–18 · 2015

Piecing Me Together

Ages 12–18 · 2017

The Catcher in the Rye

Ages 15–18 · 1951
If I Ever Get Out of Here
Sale price
$1999

If I Ever Get Out of Here

Ages 12–15 · 2013

Between Shades of Gray

Ages 12–18 · 2011

Slay

Ages 13–18 · 2019

Tyrell

Ages 14–18 · 2006

Bloody Jack

Ages 12–17 · 2002
The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
5.2
F&P level
~S
AR points
11
AR interest level
MG
AR quiz
125530
Publication
Published
January 5, 2010
First published
October 21, 2008
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Text details
The text for this book was set in Regula.
Identifiers
ISBN
9781416905868

Surprise a reader with their next favorite book.

Spotted a mistake or something missing? Improve this page.

Are you the author or illustrator? Claim your book.

Top contributors: Sierra Dertinger · Elaine R. · The Goodfather

Bookroo

Book Clubs

Follow Bookroo