Set in 1776 during the American struggle for independence, this powerful novel follows a girl's quest for freedom in a society where she is seen as property. It was shortlisted for the 2010 Carnegie Award.
Seeds of America Series
This compelling series plunges readers into the tumultuous years of the American Revolution, following a courageous young girl's quest for freedom. Thrown into slavery and caught between warring factions, she navigates a dangerous world of political intrigue and personal betrayal. The narrative powerfully explores themes of resilience, identity, and the fight for liberation against overwhelming odds. It offers a profound look at individual struggles set against the backdrop of a nation forging its destiny.
Recommended Reading Order
- 1
- 2
Isabel and Curzon have escaped New York and are facing a life on the run. Isabel wants to find her sister, and Curzon can't see how to help her. When they find themselves separated, their journeys become harder and Curzon joins the American army, fighting for independence against the British. Neither has the success they wanted and soon they are reunited in terrible circumstances, enslaved once more. As an army prepares for its biggest battle yet, Curzon too prepares for the biggest challenge he has ever faced - getting both himself and Isabel out of Valley Forge and freeing them. For good. A brilliant and gripping story in which two wonderful characters fill the reader's mind and heart with epic adventures and extraordinary courage. This historical novel not only brings to life a crucial period in American history but also establishes two of literature's most appealing young lovers.
- 2
Forge
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading
For many readers, Forge "will be one of the best novels they have ever read" (starred review from Kirkus Reviews) Blistering winds. Bitter cold. And the hope of a new future. In this compelling sequel to Chains, a National Book Award Finalist and winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson shifts perspective from Isabel to Curzon and brings to the page the tale of what it takes for runaway slaves to forge their own paths in a world of obstacles--and in the midst of the American Revolution. The Patriot Army was shaped and strengthened by the desperate circumstances of the Valley Forge winter. This is where Curzon the boy becomes Curzon the young man. In addition to the hardships of soldiering, he lives with the fear of discovery, for he is an escaped slave passing for free. And then there is Isabel, who is also at Valley Forge--against her will. She and Curzon have to sort out the tangled threads of their friendship while figuring out what stands between the two of them and true freedom.
- 3
The blistering conclusion to the Seeds of America trilogy that began with the bestselling Chains and continued with Forge.