LibGuides: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson: Home

Meet the Author (4 min.)

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
ISBN: 9781416905851
Publication Date: 2008-10-21
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.

Chains from Laurie Halse Anderson's website
Click on 'Chains-Links' on the right to look at the primary sources and websites about life and slavery in the 18th century.

African-American Communities in the North Before the Civil War
In this lesson, students will tour and/or read about some important free African-American communities thriving in the North before the Civil War. For grades 6-8.
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From National Endowment for the Humanities: Best of the Humanities on the Web
In Motion: The African-American Migration Experience
Excellent website documenting the many waves of black migration – into the U.S. and around the U.S. – from the slave trade to the present. Offers images, text, and maps for each migration period, as well as lesson plans.
The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross Lesson Plans
Designed to accompany the PBS series The African Americans. For middle and high school classrooms.
Slavery in New York
From the New York Historical Society, this exhibition includes background information slavery in New York.

The role of slaves in the 18th & 19th century American economy
From the blog 18th Century American Women. This article is helpful if you read Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson.

The Atlantic Slave Trade and Slave Life in the Americas: A Visual Record
An online collection of more than 1,200 images depicting African life and culture, slave life, and emancipation. A project of The Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and The Digital Media Lab at the University of Virginia Library.