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Chains Audiobook
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(4.00) - 12,236 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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. National Book Award Finalist Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
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"Several things I like about this book. It's a good story that keeps one interested, even though it is searing in places. Secondly, I liked the quotes from journals, letters, messages to troups, etc., that are given at the beginning of each chapter. (I don't know if young people would pay attention to them, however.) Third, I appreciated the author's research and the things I learned about New York and slavery. I had no idea, for instance, that 5,000 African-Americans, most all of whom where slaves, lived in New York in the middle 1770s."
— Etta (4 out of 5 stars)
Chains Listener Reviews
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" Good story. A bit heavy and wordy for a kids book though. Still going to read the next one. "
— Kristin, 2/11/2014 -
" Doubt the topic will allow this book to be in final list, but what a good read. Thought provoking book, well written, engaging. "
— Judith, 2/9/2014 -
" A very well-done Young Adult book about two sisters who were supposed to have been freed by their deceased master, but instead are sold to a cruel family in New York at the time of the Revolutionary War. "
— Janet, 2/7/2014 -
" Really well written. Multi-faceted characters and believable dialogue. I would not recommend this juvenile literature for a young reader. It is harsh enough that I would save it for 7th grade and up. In fact, if I taught 7th grade English, I'd probably choose it for a unit. It is truly worthwhile reading. "
— Lori, 1/22/2014 -
" The font of this book made me not want to read it, but once I started it, I could barely put it down. Told from the perspective of an enslaved girl during the American Revolution, this book raises a lot of questions about the founding of our nation and who the Founding Fathers wanted freedom for. I will definitely recommend this to my students in the fall, and I plan to read the sequel when I have the chance. "
— Mrs., 1/16/2014 -
" I would highly recommend this book, as well as the other books in the series. It was wonderful. "
— Emma, 1/14/2014 -
" A most remarkable story of events of the Revolutionary War through the point of view of Isabel, a slave in New York City. Anyone who says that history is dull or dry MUST read this book. "
— Sandy, 12/17/2013 -
" At first I wasn't sure about this book, but the more I read the more I liked it. The amount of historical research Anderson did was amazing. Without it the story would have been flat and unbelieveable. I'm looking forward to reading the second book. "
— Lauren, 12/3/2013 -
" great historical fiction for YAs "
— genevieve, 10/25/2013 -
" This book really takes you through the days of slavery. The longing for a better life, and everything that goes through a slave's mind. Though sad, a definite must read. "
— Tia, 8/31/2013 -
" Would love my granddaughters to read this book. Well written and researched historical fiction. "
— Rita, 7/30/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this. It was an interesting take on the American Revolution, all told from the perspective of a slave girl. "
— Jared, 11/23/2012 -
" Absolutely one of my favorite books of the year. Reads a lot like The Help by Katherine Stockett. I'm on the second book now. "
— Mrs., 11/10/2012 -
" A compelling, impeccably researched novel that shows the lengths we can go to cast off our chains, both physical and spiritual. I think it would be a great read aloud for all fifth grades. "
— June, 10/4/2011 -
" I really liked the narrator's voice in this book about slavery. She is really heroic to survive what she goes through. "
— Jackie, 8/4/2011 -
" This entertaining and well-written historical fiction takes place during the Revolutionary War as witnessed by a young slave girl in New York. "
— Heather, 5/19/2011 -
" Laurie's depiction of slavery, including unfairness and betrayal on so many levels, woven within a story of impecable his histoical detail, is a great read that left me longing for "Forge," which, thankfully, came out while I was wrapping up this book. "
— Pam, 5/18/2011 -
" I loved this book! Utterly awesome writing, with a great background story and lots of real facts! I liked the ending and am anticipating the sequel. "
— Rowan, 5/16/2011 -
" Absolutely one of my favorite books of the year. Reads a lot like The Help by Katherine Stockett. I'm on the second book now. "
— Robin, 5/11/2011 -
" Very good, although heartbreaking, glimpse into the life of a young female slave during the Revolutionary War. "
— Marti, 5/11/2011 -
" Loved this book. I love historical fiction anyways, but this one had a great story to it. "
— Katie, 5/11/2011 -
" Reading for a YA Lit class. It's very hard for me to read so far. But this time period is always difficult for me.<br/><br/>Very satisfying. Definitely moving on to the next book in the series. "
— Wanett, 5/8/2011 -
" A gripping, fascinating read. This is a side of the revolutionary war that you don't hear about. Can't wait to get the sequel. "
— Amber, 5/4/2011 -
" One of the most beautifully-written YA books I've come across in years. It's not fantasy, and I don't normally read all that much straight historical fiction ... but it was so good that it put Laurie Halse Anderson on my instant "I need to read everything by this writer" list. "
— Chris, 5/4/2011
About Laurie Halse Anderson
Laurie Halse Anderson, New York Times bestselling author, writes for kids of all ages. Known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity, her work has earned numerous American Library Association and state awards. Two of her books, Speak and Chains, were National Book Award finalists. Chains also made the Carnegie Medal shortlist in the United Kingdom. She lives in northern New York, where she likes to watch the snow fall as she writes. She and her husband, Scot, plus their menagerie of critters, enjoy country living and time in the woods. When not writing or hanging out with her family, you can find her training for marathons or trying to coax tomatoes out of the rocky soil in her backyard.
About Bahni Turpin
Bahni Turpin, winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and several prestigious Audie Awards for her narrations, was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. Publishers Weekly magazine named her Narrator of the Year for 2016. She is an ensemble member of the Cornerstone Theater Company in Los Angeles. She has guest starred in many television series, including NYPD Blue, Law & Order, Six Feet Under, Cold Case, What about Brian, and The Comeback. Film credits include Brokedown Palace, Crossroads, and Daughters of the Dust. She is also a member of the recording cast of The Help, which won numerous awards.