Chains (2008) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Summary edit see section history

Characters/People edit see section history

• Isabel: A young slave growing up during the Revolutionary war era, dreaming of and seeking her deserved freedom. Though during much of the book she is living in New York, she is from Rhode Island. Isabel (Sometimes called Sal by her new masters) is Ruth's older sister.
• Curzon: Isabel's friend who is also a slave. He believes in the rebel cause because he thinks that when they champion freedom and liberty for all, and when they say that all men are created equal, they are including slaves and African Americans.
• Madame Anne Lockton: Isabel's new mistress (The master's wife). She thinks of Isabel and her sister as less than human and treats them in a spiteful and mean-spirited manner.
• Mister Eihu Lockton: Isabel's master. He is a Tory and supports Britain and the King.
• Ruth: Isabel's younger sister. She is a child with special needs and is referred to as "simple." She suffers from a condition that causes her to have random seizures, which Isabel calls "spasms" or "fits." Isabel feels very motherly toward Ruth, and thinks it her duty to care for her since their mother's passing.
• Mr. Robert: Nephew of Miss Mary who had owned Isabel and Ruth. When Miss Mary died, he sold the girls at a tavern right after the funeral for Miss Mary.
• Becky: She worked for the Locktons when Isabel and Ruth were purchased.
• Lady Seymour: Elihu Lockton's wealthy aunt. She is sympathetic of Isabel's situation and shows moderate kindness towards her and her sister. She disagrees with the buying and selling of children and dislikes her nephew's wife.
• Sarah: She is the bosslady of the soldierwives who move into the Lockton house. She is pregnant and eventually leaves the household when she has her baby.
• Hannah: She takes over as the boss-lady after Sarah leaves.
• Colonel Regan: He is one of the leaders of the Patriots. Curzon wants Isabel to spy on the Locktons in exchange for the colonel's help to gain her freedom.
• Jenny: Jenny and her husband own the tavern where Isabel and Ruth are sold to the Locktons.
• Anne: Anne is Madam Lockton's first name.
• Sal: Isabel was given this name by the Locktons.
• Goldbuttons: A Loyalist who worked with Lockton
• Inkstain: Another Loyalist that worked with Lockton
• Momma: She died of smallpox.
• The Mayor (John): Another Loyalist who worked with Lockton
• Poppa: He was a slave who was sold and sent away from his family. Isabel's Dad
• Miss Mary Finch: She owned Isabel, her mother, and her sister, Ruth. She died after Isabel's mother from smallpox. She had promised the family freedom after her death, but there was no record and the lawyer who had drawn up the papers was gone. She was the aunt of Mr. Robert.

Quotes edit see section history

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• “She cannot chain my soul.”

  Isabel

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• New York: Isabel, her sister, and the Locktons traveled in a ship called the Hartshorn to get here from Newport, Rhode Island.
• Fort Washington
• The Locktons House
• Boston: The site of a battle between the British and Patriots.
• England: Home of the King and Queen.
• The Graveyard: At the beginning, Isabel and Ruth come here with Miss. Finch's nephew to bury Miss. Finch.
• Newport, Rhode Island: Isabel and Ruth had been a slave to Miss Mary Finch there.
• The River Jordan: Isabel is told by a wise old man that she will need to cross the River Jordan (a symbolic crossing).
• Broadway
• Philadelphia
• Greenwich
• America
• The Tea Water Pump: The Locktons like to drink tea and a servant is sent to this special pump for water to make the best tasting tea.

Organizations edit see section history

• The Patriots or Rebels: They fought for freedom against British troops and Loyalists.
• The Loyalists: They remained loyal to King George of England.

First Sentence edit see section history

Glossary edit see section history

• brainpan: Isabel often refers to her mind as her brainpan.
• remembry: Isabella refers to her memories as her remembry.

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

• The River Jordan: Isabel is told to cross the River Jordan. It is a symbolic crossing from slavery to freedom.

Series & Lists edit see section history

Followed by Forge.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Laurie Halse Anderson (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Awards edit see section history

• Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (2009)
• National Book Award (Finalist, 2008)
• Truman Readers Award (Finalist, 2010-2011)
• Georgia Children's Book Award (Finalist, 2011-12: Chapter Book)

Notes for Parents edit see section history

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Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Children's Books › History & Historical Fiction › United States › Fiction › Colonial
• Books › Children's Books › People & Places › Multicultural Stories › African-American
• Books › Children's Books › History & Historical Fiction › Fiction › Military & Wars
• Books › Teens › Authors, A-Z › ( A ) › Anderson, Laurie Halse
• Books › Children's Books › Ages 9-12