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Staff Pick
Laurie Halse Anderson, who wrote one of my favorite young adult books, Speak, and won a gazillion awards for it, pushes the entire genre to another level (again) with this Revolutionary War-era novel. You could read tons of long-winded reviews of this book before you buy it, but all you need to know is this: her fantastic, witty writing and similar subject matter will draw the inevitable comparisons to M. T. Anderson's The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, but ultimately it is its own fantastic, solidly grounded book. Bring on the awards. Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:If an entire nation could seek its freedom, why not a girl? As the Revolutionary War begins, 13-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. Review:"Pursuing similar themes as M.T. Anderson's Octavian Nothing, this gripping novel offers readers a startlingly provocative view of the Revolutionary War. Isabel Finch, the narrator, and her five-year-old sister, Ruth, are to be freed from slavery upon the death of their mistress in Rhode Island, but the mistress's unscrupulous heir easily persuades the local pastor to dispense with reading the will. Before long Isabel and Ruth are in New York City, the property of a Loyalist couple, whose abusiveness inspires Isabel to a dangerous course: she steals into the Patriot army camp to trade a crucial Loyalist secret in exchange for passage to Rhode Island for herself and Ruth. But not only does the Patriot colonel fail to honor his promise, he personally hands her over to her Loyalist mistress when she runs away, to face disastrous consequences. Anderson (Speak; Fever 1793) packs so much detail into her evocation of wartime New York City that readers will see the turmoil and confusion of the times, and her solidly researched exploration of British and Patriot treatment of slaves during a war for freedom is nuanced and evenhanded, presented in service of a fast-moving, emotionally involving plot. Ages 10 — up." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.) Review:In the first months of the Revolutionary War, Isabel, an orphaned slave in New York City, feels "chained between two nations." She spies on her cruel Loyalist masters for the American cause, but the patriots refuse to intervene when she is beaten and branded for running away. Though "bees built a hive of sadness" in her soul, Isabel is determined to escape and rescue her sister, who is enslaved in... Washington Post Book Review (read the entire Washington Post review) About the AuthorLaurie Halse Anderson is the author of numerous wonderful books for children and teens. Her highly acclaimed novels include Speak, which was a National Book Award finalist, Printz Honor Book, and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Her novel Fever 1793 was named one of New York Public Library's 100 Best Books of 2000, was selected as an ABA Pick of the Lists title, and has won more than a dozen state awards. Her most recent novel, Twisted, was a New York Times bestseller. Laurie lives in Mexico, New York. What Our Readers Are SayingAdd a comment for a chance to win!Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
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