Maw Books

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Ever since I saw the cover of Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson I knew that I had to read it.  It’s so beautiful that I was in love with it before I even opened it.  It’s perfect.  It’s got the ragged edges and the typeface is gorgeous.  Chains is a National Book Award nominee and deservedly so.  I believe it has Newbery written all over it.  I loved it’s serious subject matter and how it brought to life the hardships that many endured during a time of war in one’s country.   While the American country fought for it’s freedom during the American Revolution, many slaves were fighting for their own freedom.  Unfortunately, those slaves would never see the freedom given to their American patriots.

From the book jacket (sorry, trying to get these reviews in before the end of the year):

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 te 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, impeccable researched novel that shows the lengths we can go to cast off our chains, both physical and spiritual.

Chains does start out a little slow and takes a while to get things going, but wow, once it does, I couldn’t stop reading.  Isabel is great.  I loved her voice, her sense of hopelessness but yet taking matters into her own hands to improve her situation.  Laurie Halse Anderson is a gifted writer.

Melancholy held me hostage, and the bees built a hive of sadness in my soul.  Dark honey and the bees built a hive of sadness in my soul.  Dark honey filled up inside me, drowning my thoughts and making it hard to move my eyes and hands.  I worked as a puppet trained to scrub and carry, curtsy and nod.

Just beautiful.  Highly recommended.

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