“I hope that Isabel’s story will help young readers break free of the chains of ignorance and misunderstanding. I pray they will be strong enough to move our country forward to empathy and healing, and finally allow America to fulfill the precious dream of liberty and justice for all. “- Laurie Halse Anderson

madwomanintheforest.com/inspiration-for-chains/

Chains, by Laurie Halse Anderson, was published in 2008 and received national recognition. The historical fiction book is a National Book Award Finalist recipient, as well as the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. The book cover art, done by Lizzy Bromley, is beautifully done, simple yet powerful.

Chains tells the story of Isabel, a slave, who is sent to live with a powerful couple in New York City. She is torn between two countries, both promising freedom in exchange for loyalty. In the end, she learns the hard lesson that not all men are created equal and that freedom is not granted to everyone.

Laurie Halse Anderson is a successful children’s author who covers the tough subjects. Born in Potsdam, New York, Anderson’s career started out as a hobby. In 1996, she published her first book, Ndito Runs, after listening to a NPR story about Kenyan Olympic runners. After finding out that Benjamin Franklin owned slaves, and realizing that she did not know our country’s history with slavery, Anderson started her journey of writing Chains.

Chains tells the story of Isabel living in a time period much earlier than that of Laurie Halse Anderson. She had to, “rely completely on historical research,” (Tunnel et al, 2016, p. 160). I have had this book in my classroom for years, but never took the time to actually read it, until now. I loved this book and am already thinking of ways that I can incorporate this into my curriculum. Isabel and her story are extremely relatable, even though the historical context is set long ago and one that none of us experienced. The struggles that she experiences throughout the novel are struggles that young readers can connect with, specifically the feeling that she has no voice or has anyone watching out for her. On page 49 in Chains, Isabel states, “I was lost. I knew that we were in the cellar of a house on Wall Street…but it was like looking at a knot, knowing it was a knot, but not knowing how to untie it. I had no map for this life.” I bookmarked this page as I read because it reminded me of many of my students, that feeling of feeling lost. It is important, if not the most important quality, for readers to feel a connection to their main character(s).

The credibility of the plot is very strong, making it evident that Anderson did her research. At the beginning of each chapter, she includes a short quote from multiple historical perspectives that lend themselves nicely to the overall aesthetic of the book, my favorite being from Abigal Adams to her husband on page 79. Too often, children’s literature leaves out certain information, for fear that it may be too heavy for young readers, or because they want to sugarcoat the harsh realities of our history. However, “when dealing with historical events, it is important to deal plainly with the truth,” (Tunnel et al, 2016, p. 157). Anderson delivers the facts while building a character that inspires the reader to remain hopeful in the face of adversity. There were many times throughout the book that I was angry. I was angry that this is part of our history, I was angry that people could treat other people in this way. I was angry when Isabel thought Ruth had been sold away. But these are the books that spark deep and meaningful conversations in the classroom. This book took place years ago, yet similar events are happening today, in 2019, and I think that’s important to show students.

Chains gives the reader one perspective of what life was like in colonial times when slavery was not only legal, but also accepted. Recreating a time where the author did not live is challenging, but Anderson does a beautiful job. The American Revolution is an integral part to our American history, but with it comes the harsh reality of what we did to a group of people. Reading through the Q&A at the end of the book, it is evident that Laurie Halse Anderson spent a large amount of time making sure this book was the best that it could be.

While it may not be a favorite, it is one that I will definitely recommend to my students. I am excited to read more of her work, and include more of her titles in my classroom library.