Status
Available
Series
Publication
Atheneum Books for Young Readers (2012), Edition: Reprint, Paperback, 320 pages
Description
Separated from his friend Isabel after their daring escape from slavery, fifteen-year-old Curzon serves as a free man in the Continental Army at Valley Forge until he and Isabel are thrown together again, as slaves once more.
User reviews
LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson is the second book in her Chains YA series that is set during the American Revolution. In this book, the story follows the American army over the winter that they were in camp at Valley Forge. What helps to make these books so compelling is that these stories are told
I picked up the book expecting to continue with the story of Isabel, a young girl who had been promised freedom by her mistress upon her death. Instead of the freedom she craved, the greedy heir separated her from her younger sister and sold them separately. Instead this book picks up the story of Curzon, a young black soldier, whom Isabel nursed and together they escaped from their captivity in New York.
Recaptured and now with the army at Valley Forge, they must try and make another bid for freedom. Along with their story, we learn of the difficult conditions the American Patriots endured at Valley Forge, where frigid temperatures and starvation claimed the lives of over two thousand soldiers.
Laurie Halse Anderson has done extensive research into these books, and many of the episodes in the lives of Isabel and Curzon are loosely based on actual slaves’ experiences which adds an emotional impact. Her historical references are well documented and she provides both backup facts and a reading list in the Appendix of the book.
I highly recommend both Chains and Forge and I definitely plan on following these two fascinating characters as they continue on their quest for freedom down a road littered with broken promises, lies and cruelty.
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from the viewpoint to two young black slaves who desire their freedom above all, and this, contrasted with the story of a young country battling for it’s own freedom makes for an engrossing read. I picked up the book expecting to continue with the story of Isabel, a young girl who had been promised freedom by her mistress upon her death. Instead of the freedom she craved, the greedy heir separated her from her younger sister and sold them separately. Instead this book picks up the story of Curzon, a young black soldier, whom Isabel nursed and together they escaped from their captivity in New York.
Recaptured and now with the army at Valley Forge, they must try and make another bid for freedom. Along with their story, we learn of the difficult conditions the American Patriots endured at Valley Forge, where frigid temperatures and starvation claimed the lives of over two thousand soldiers.
Laurie Halse Anderson has done extensive research into these books, and many of the episodes in the lives of Isabel and Curzon are loosely based on actual slaves’ experiences which adds an emotional impact. Her historical references are well documented and she provides both backup facts and a reading list in the Appendix of the book.
I highly recommend both Chains and Forge and I definitely plan on following these two fascinating characters as they continue on their quest for freedom down a road littered with broken promises, lies and cruelty.
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LibraryThing member varwenea
‘Forge’ is book 2 of Anderson’s YA trilogy on the American Revolution, following ‘Chains’. The story continues with Curzon, intentionally (to be fed and maybe paid) and unintentionally (miserable soldier experience from book 1) joining the American rebel forces against the British red
‘Forge’ has the usual ailments of the second book syndrome. It has less creativity, less plot, and less action than ‘Chains’. I wasn’t on my toes for any part of it and put the book down often. Its strength is the novelization of pieced together historical details to tell the stories of life in Valley Forge through the eyes of Curzon as a Negro soldier then. At the start of every chapter, Anderson included snippets from soldiers’ letters, diary notations, officials’ documentations, including specific dates to fortify the details of her writing. The starvation, the lack of clothing, shoes, supplies, and the building of huts to sleep in are all painted into this story. The reader will never want to taste ‘firecake’ – flour + water and burned on heated stone. As a YA book, with the right mindset, this can be a very eye-opening book. With the wrong mindset, this can be a very dull book. For me, it wasn’t a page-turner, but I did appreciate the details I was reading.
Final book of the trilogy – ‘Ashes’.
One quote – on Love:
“…Marguerite gave birth to a son and then she died… Cesar was so filled with sorrow, he might have destroyed himself except for the baby. He decided to choose a name for his boy that would keep Marguerite alive… Cesar loved it when Marguerite would whisper to him, ‘Você é meu coração.’ He took out the most important word - coração. I stretched the sound of it. ‘Core-a-sao’. Cesar turned it into a word that sounded more like a name, the name of his son: Curzon.
‘Those are your parents!’ A smile broke across Isabel’s face. ‘That is a good story. But what does it mean, what your mother said?’
‘It means, ‘You are my heart.’’ I leaned forward, took her hands in mine, and whispered into her ear. ‘You have always been my heart, Country.’
Before I could kiss her, Isabel kissed me.”
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coats. The story dive deeply on the march to Valley Forge and the troops’ time at Valley Forge (hence the book’s name). At a later part of the book, Isabel (the original protagonist of ‘Chains’ re-emerges in the story, bringing on a new set of conflicts. As much as the soldiers suffer, Isabel’s suffering is cruel and diabolic. ‘Forge’ has the usual ailments of the second book syndrome. It has less creativity, less plot, and less action than ‘Chains’. I wasn’t on my toes for any part of it and put the book down often. Its strength is the novelization of pieced together historical details to tell the stories of life in Valley Forge through the eyes of Curzon as a Negro soldier then. At the start of every chapter, Anderson included snippets from soldiers’ letters, diary notations, officials’ documentations, including specific dates to fortify the details of her writing. The starvation, the lack of clothing, shoes, supplies, and the building of huts to sleep in are all painted into this story. The reader will never want to taste ‘firecake’ – flour + water and burned on heated stone. As a YA book, with the right mindset, this can be a very eye-opening book. With the wrong mindset, this can be a very dull book. For me, it wasn’t a page-turner, but I did appreciate the details I was reading.
Final book of the trilogy – ‘Ashes’.
One quote – on Love:
“…Marguerite gave birth to a son and then she died… Cesar was so filled with sorrow, he might have destroyed himself except for the baby. He decided to choose a name for his boy that would keep Marguerite alive… Cesar loved it when Marguerite would whisper to him, ‘Você é meu coração.’ He took out the most important word - coração. I stretched the sound of it. ‘Core-a-sao’. Cesar turned it into a word that sounded more like a name, the name of his son: Curzon.
‘Those are your parents!’ A smile broke across Isabel’s face. ‘That is a good story. But what does it mean, what your mother said?’
‘It means, ‘You are my heart.’’ I leaned forward, took her hands in mine, and whispered into her ear. ‘You have always been my heart, Country.’
Before I could kiss her, Isabel kissed me.”
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LibraryThing member AllieEG
A wonderful book that emotionally engaged me as a reader, and also taught me about the important role of slaves and African-Americans in the U.S. Revolutionary War. The 2nd book in the "Seeds of America" series by Laurie Halse Anderson, this one shifts focus from Isabel to her male counterpart,
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Curzon. I can't wait to read #3... and have been waiting more than 2 years for it to come out! Latest news says it is to be released early 2015! Show Less
LibraryThing member kcpiano
I have been waiting for this book ever since the last page of Chains. I was thrilled when my friend sent me a signed copy from the ALA Convention.
If you have read any reviews, you know by now that this story focuses on Curzon's side of things. Initially, I was disappointed to find out I wouldn't
The main setting is the Civil War, Valley Forge. True to Ms. Anderson's amazing characterization in all of her novels, this band of brothers jumps off the page and continues to evolve throughout the story. After reading this book, the story and characters are so real to me that I feel that I've seen the movie. (Is anyone going to make a movie?)
The only thing that disappoints is the waiting for the 3rd book!
If you have read any reviews, you know by now that this story focuses on Curzon's side of things. Initially, I was disappointed to find out I wouldn't
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be finding out about Isabel and Ruth the moment I opened the book, but I soon became enamored with this story. The main setting is the Civil War, Valley Forge. True to Ms. Anderson's amazing characterization in all of her novels, this band of brothers jumps off the page and continues to evolve throughout the story. After reading this book, the story and characters are so real to me that I feel that I've seen the movie. (Is anyone going to make a movie?)
The only thing that disappoints is the waiting for the 3rd book!
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LibraryThing member corydickason
Like Chains, Forge hits in the gut. Curzon is more likable than Isabel, and his circumstances just as horrific. I think teens reading the books would be left, as I am, desperate to hear what these two do next.
LibraryThing member stacyz
sequel to Chains, just as enjoyable as the first. now to wait for the third in the trilogy...
LibraryThing member jennladd
Okay, guys, I’m going to try to review this novel without any spoilers. I’m going to try so hard, but goodness knows, there’s so much in this novel that I’m dying to talk about.
The first thing that really needs said, is that Laurie Halse Anderson never disappoints. Historical fiction is one
When Chains ended, Curzon and Isabel had escaped their masters and had rowed to freedom, Curzon being on the cusp on consciousness in the boat. Forge picks up a short time later and the protagonist of the series has changed from Isabel to Curzon, as we find out that the two have become separated, yet again.
Curzon accidentally finds himself becoming a soldier in the 16th Massachusetts Regiment of the Northern Continental Army of the United States. Try saying that five times fast. This army, like any army is full of characters you love to love, love to hate and can’t quite figure out. I adored Eben, how could you not?
One of my favorite parts of the novel is that most of the novel takes place in Valley Forge. We’ve all heard about Valley Forge in our American history classes. But it’s always the same thing. It was cold, the soldiers starved, they didn’t have adequate clothing, etc. Forge had all the details but it was incorporated into the novel in a way that really made you think, rather than come across like the same thing we’ve heard hundreds of times. I’m a complete history nut, and even I learned some new things. Do you know how to cook a pumpkin?
Also, during the winter of Valley Forge is two reappearances. One of Bellingham and the second is Isabel. I get very involved in novels when I read. I see them play out like a movie in my head. I also react out loud to the things that I’m reading, and I often don’t realize that I’m doing it. When I read the circumstances of Isabel’s reappearance, I said something like “Oh!” of “Aww” and my boyfriend Matt, looked at me and said “Babe, you’re doing it again.” I guess my trying to read while he studies so I won’t be a distraction is off the naught.
Without spoiling the ending, I will say that the last four chapters were the best, most action-packed in the book. I love those moments. I’m going to be counting down the days until the release of Ashes. Not only am I excited for the next part of Isabel and Curzon’s stories, but I can’t wait for more about the army. I’m also hoping for a reappearance of the characters Gideon and Mrs. Cook. I’m still kind of on the fence about how I feel about Gideon, so I hope he returns. The best surprise of the novel, was the brief appearance of the charming, Marquis de Lafayette. It warmed my heart a little.
I also really loved the format of the novel. The type face and the actual pages give the novel a very antique feel. The chapters are short, a few pages at most, which makes reading it in one sitting a breeze. It also makes you feel like you’re getting somewhere if you only have a few moments to read here and there. I also love that in the heading of each chapter Anderson includes a quote, mostly from letters, about what life was like during that time in our country, not only at Valley Forge but on the issue of slavery itself. Judging by quote authorship, I sometimes wonder if Ms. Anderson will ever write a novel about Abigail Adams. How epic would that be?
The first thing that really needs said, is that Laurie Halse Anderson never disappoints. Historical fiction is one
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of my guilty pleasures. Having already read Fever 1793 and Chains (both in one sitting, no less) I was eagerly anticipating Forge. Which if you didn’t know is the sequel to Chains. The first thing I did, before I even read a page, I flipped to the back of the book to see if there was going to be another book in the series. There is!!! So now, I’m waiting for Ashes. And you should be, too!When Chains ended, Curzon and Isabel had escaped their masters and had rowed to freedom, Curzon being on the cusp on consciousness in the boat. Forge picks up a short time later and the protagonist of the series has changed from Isabel to Curzon, as we find out that the two have become separated, yet again.
Curzon accidentally finds himself becoming a soldier in the 16th Massachusetts Regiment of the Northern Continental Army of the United States. Try saying that five times fast. This army, like any army is full of characters you love to love, love to hate and can’t quite figure out. I adored Eben, how could you not?
One of my favorite parts of the novel is that most of the novel takes place in Valley Forge. We’ve all heard about Valley Forge in our American history classes. But it’s always the same thing. It was cold, the soldiers starved, they didn’t have adequate clothing, etc. Forge had all the details but it was incorporated into the novel in a way that really made you think, rather than come across like the same thing we’ve heard hundreds of times. I’m a complete history nut, and even I learned some new things. Do you know how to cook a pumpkin?
Also, during the winter of Valley Forge is two reappearances. One of Bellingham and the second is Isabel. I get very involved in novels when I read. I see them play out like a movie in my head. I also react out loud to the things that I’m reading, and I often don’t realize that I’m doing it. When I read the circumstances of Isabel’s reappearance, I said something like “Oh!” of “Aww” and my boyfriend Matt, looked at me and said “Babe, you’re doing it again.” I guess my trying to read while he studies so I won’t be a distraction is off the naught.
Without spoiling the ending, I will say that the last four chapters were the best, most action-packed in the book. I love those moments. I’m going to be counting down the days until the release of Ashes. Not only am I excited for the next part of Isabel and Curzon’s stories, but I can’t wait for more about the army. I’m also hoping for a reappearance of the characters Gideon and Mrs. Cook. I’m still kind of on the fence about how I feel about Gideon, so I hope he returns. The best surprise of the novel, was the brief appearance of the charming, Marquis de Lafayette. It warmed my heart a little.
I also really loved the format of the novel. The type face and the actual pages give the novel a very antique feel. The chapters are short, a few pages at most, which makes reading it in one sitting a breeze. It also makes you feel like you’re getting somewhere if you only have a few moments to read here and there. I also love that in the heading of each chapter Anderson includes a quote, mostly from letters, about what life was like during that time in our country, not only at Valley Forge but on the issue of slavery itself. Judging by quote authorship, I sometimes wonder if Ms. Anderson will ever write a novel about Abigail Adams. How epic would that be?
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LibraryThing member edspicer
Anderson, Laurie Halse. (2010). Forge. New York: Simon and Schuster/Atheneum. 297 pp. ISBN 978-1-4169-6144-4 (Hard Cover); $16.99.
Before we move into the review, readers should take note that according to Anderson, “Halse” rhymes with waltz.
Forge is the sequel to Chains. Chains is a National
Curzon is the slave in Chains who encourages Isabel to become a spy. At the end of Chains, Curzon is in prison and Isabel rescues him. Isabel slips away to find her sister and Forge begins with Curzon out of prison but alone. Readers who have not read Chains will not have any difficulty at all understanding this story. Readers who have read Chains will be happy that some of the same structure that works so well in Chains is present in Forge. The chapters begin with primary source quotes from Washington, other Revolutionary War generals, Thomas Paine, the diaries of soldiers, etc. The quotes in this book still feel fresh and welcomed and they frame the lightning quick action adroitly. Curzon is an escaped slave. Both he and Isabel are free, but their freedom is tenuous and each knows that “This freedom could kill us.” (p. 5). Unsure of whom to trust—both the redcoats and revolutionaries are capable of selling Curzon to slave traders—Curzon is rudderless. He works driving a supply wagon for a cabagehead thief who has not paid him for his work. He steals his pay in the form of buckles and spoons and heads off toward Albany even though he knows that he really has no place. Curzon finds himself hiding as a young colonist is about to be killed by a redcoat. Even though he should remain hidden, he throws a rock at the redcoat, which throws off the soldier’s aim and allows the young boy to kill the redcoat. Turns out this boy, Ebenezer, is the nephew of a sergeant. Events conspire against Curzon and he finds himself as a soldier fighting the British and on his way to Valley Forge. After Ebenezer’s Uncle dies, Curzon is sold back into slavery after a hasty trial concludes that the verbal testimony of a Negro does not trump the testimony of a liar who is white. Curzon meets up again with Isabel—as slaves once more—and the fight for freedom begins again.
Once again this book is impeccably researched. Once again it includes discussion on the intersection between fiction and history (Yes, African Americans did fight for the Patriots in an integrated army). The language puts readers in the time period but it does not hinder the pace or impede the action. We explore our country’s history in all its glory and all its imperfection. Forge is a perfect title for a book whose setting is largely in Valley Forge, with Curzon forging his freedom one link at a time. Happily there will be a third book in this series, Ashes, allowing readers to discover what consequences may be in store for Isabel and Curzon. Have they really forged their freedom by escaping from Bellingham? While this book will be used as a read aloud in elementary school classrooms, the action is so compelling and the writing so crisp, that both middle school and high school students will also enjoy this historical thriller.
Before we move into the review, readers should take note that according to Anderson, “Halse” rhymes with waltz.
Forge is the sequel to Chains. Chains is a National
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Book Award finalist. While Forge did not make the NBA list this year, this omission should not lead readers to expect any less of this book. Forge is better than Chains! Curzon is the slave in Chains who encourages Isabel to become a spy. At the end of Chains, Curzon is in prison and Isabel rescues him. Isabel slips away to find her sister and Forge begins with Curzon out of prison but alone. Readers who have not read Chains will not have any difficulty at all understanding this story. Readers who have read Chains will be happy that some of the same structure that works so well in Chains is present in Forge. The chapters begin with primary source quotes from Washington, other Revolutionary War generals, Thomas Paine, the diaries of soldiers, etc. The quotes in this book still feel fresh and welcomed and they frame the lightning quick action adroitly. Curzon is an escaped slave. Both he and Isabel are free, but their freedom is tenuous and each knows that “This freedom could kill us.” (p. 5). Unsure of whom to trust—both the redcoats and revolutionaries are capable of selling Curzon to slave traders—Curzon is rudderless. He works driving a supply wagon for a cabagehead thief who has not paid him for his work. He steals his pay in the form of buckles and spoons and heads off toward Albany even though he knows that he really has no place. Curzon finds himself hiding as a young colonist is about to be killed by a redcoat. Even though he should remain hidden, he throws a rock at the redcoat, which throws off the soldier’s aim and allows the young boy to kill the redcoat. Turns out this boy, Ebenezer, is the nephew of a sergeant. Events conspire against Curzon and he finds himself as a soldier fighting the British and on his way to Valley Forge. After Ebenezer’s Uncle dies, Curzon is sold back into slavery after a hasty trial concludes that the verbal testimony of a Negro does not trump the testimony of a liar who is white. Curzon meets up again with Isabel—as slaves once more—and the fight for freedom begins again.
Once again this book is impeccably researched. Once again it includes discussion on the intersection between fiction and history (Yes, African Americans did fight for the Patriots in an integrated army). The language puts readers in the time period but it does not hinder the pace or impede the action. We explore our country’s history in all its glory and all its imperfection. Forge is a perfect title for a book whose setting is largely in Valley Forge, with Curzon forging his freedom one link at a time. Happily there will be a third book in this series, Ashes, allowing readers to discover what consequences may be in store for Isabel and Curzon. Have they really forged their freedom by escaping from Bellingham? While this book will be used as a read aloud in elementary school classrooms, the action is so compelling and the writing so crisp, that both middle school and high school students will also enjoy this historical thriller.
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LibraryThing member Bellydancer
The focus of Forge is moves from strength to strength to strength; conditions are getting desperate in the Valley Forge and as the middle of winter falls upon the solders so does starvation and death. Here with this all going on around him Curzon the boy becomes Curzon the young man. In addition to
I was slightly disappointed with this sequel, I thought it would be as good as Chains, whether it was the male protagonist for the writing style I am not sure. I look forward to the the next book Ashes to see how the story ends.
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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.I was slightly disappointed with this sequel, I thought it would be as good as Chains, whether it was the male protagonist for the writing style I am not sure. I look forward to the the next book Ashes to see how the story ends.
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LibraryThing member KarenBall
"This camp is a forge for the army; it's testing our qualities. Instead of heat and hammer, our trials are cold and hunger. Question is, what are we made of?"The war for American freedom is the setting for Curzon and Isabel's fight for their own freedom. They have escaped New York and their
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respective slaveowning masters,but while Isabel is determined to get to South Carolina to find and free her little sister, Curzon thinks it is utter stupidity to head into the waiting traps of the slavehunters betwen New Jersey and Charleston. Isabel runs away, and Curzon rejoins the Continental Army after saving a soldier's life. The Army desperately needs both soldiers and supplies as they head into the brutal winter months at Valley Forge... where conditions are miserable at best, and deadly at worst. With the help of the soldiers in his company, Curzon survives being without proper shelter and clothing, having to eat soup made from boiled leather, and then going without shoes in the ice and snow when his are stolen. But nothing is worse than the day the Congressional Committee rides in to see the poor conditions at Valley Forge for themselves, and Curzon recognizes his old master, Bellingham. Forced to return to slavery because Bellingham refuses to tell the truth about his promise to free him if he would enlist, Curzon discovers that the other slave Bellingham now owns is none other than Isabel, who wears a metal collar and padlock contraption to prevent her running away again. Strong characters with difficult choices, racism and prejudice of the times, great plot twists and famous Revolutionary leaders! This would be a fantastic read for any 8th grader since we are studying the American Revolution in the fall, but anyone who enjoys excellent historical fiction would like this too. It's a knockout! Show Less
LibraryThing member CatheOlson
This is the sequel to the amazing book Chains. Curzon is a slave, supposedly freed, who is mistreated by his boss and ends up fighting for the Revolultionary War and eventually at Valley Forge. LIke Chains, it is an eye-opening look at the treatment of African Americans during that war. It took me
PS Although girls who read Chains will like this, it is a great one for boys. And they don't need to have read the first one.
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a bit to get into the story because Curzon was just a secondary character in Chains and I really wanted to find out what happened to Isabel, but once I got into Curzon's character, I loved the book. Can't wait for the third which I assume will be about both of them together!PS Although girls who read Chains will like this, it is a great one for boys. And they don't need to have read the first one.
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LibraryThing member Sullywriter
This sequel to Chains is a stunning work of historical nonfiction! The terror of battle, the misery of Valley Forge, the brutal idignities of slavery are all brought vividly and comellingly to life in this brilliantly written, totally engrossing novel.
LibraryThing member JenJ.
You know, I feel like I went into both Chains and Forge feeling like they were going to be books that were good for me, "important books," and forgetting that I love Laurie Halse Anderson simply because she writes such good stories. Yeah there was crunchy goodness mixed in here with historical
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details that I'd never known before, particulary relating to African American experiences during the Revolutionary War, but it's also a great survival story with really engaging characters that you care about. Even with all the historical details, it's not a slow read either which is a hard thing to pull off. I'll be looking forward to the next (final?) volume. Show Less
LibraryThing member lissabeth21
This was a marvelous continuation of the series, told this time from Curzon's perspective. The first-hand glimpse at the hardships of Valley Forge were rivetting and accessible. I am very eager for the 3rd book to be released and learn more of the trials of Curzon and Isabel!
LibraryThing member scote23
Anderson continues her story of two black children during the Revolutionary War, this time from the point of view of Curzon. It is winter, and the army is on the move to Valley Forge. Isabel is gone. The camp seems to have little by way of supplies. Can Curzon find Isabel, or, more importantly, can
I don't think you have to read the first book in the series to understand this one, but it would give you some background information.
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he survive the winter?I don't think you have to read the first book in the series to understand this one, but it would give you some background information.
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LibraryThing member fromthecomfychair
I loved Chains, the companion book to Forge. Laurie Halse Anderson does a brilliant job of believable storytelling, incorporating accurate historical details and giving the characters believable voices and dialog. She really brought the winter camp at Valley Forge to life for me. She brought actual
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people, like George Washington, into the story in ways that didn't fictionalize actual history. I hope you write more historical fiction, Laurie Halse Anderson! I listened to the audio version, and loved the voice actor's telling of the story. I could listen to Tim Cain all day, and was sorry when the book was finished. Now if I could just get more than one student in my high school to read it! Show Less
LibraryThing member EdenSteffey
What an excellent book!
LibraryThing member lilibrarian
In this sequel to Chains, Curzon and Isabel are separated. He enlists as a union soldier, believing she is heading south to locate her sister, Ruth. While serving and stationed at Valley Forge, he is retaken as a slave, he finds that Isabel has also been taken.
LibraryThing member RobertaLea
Phenomenal reading. Excellent research. Gritty story of survival and friendship.
LibraryThing member sarahlh
Another brilliant historical thriller/drama from Laure Halse Anderson. Nice to see the POV shift from Isabel to Curzon, as well as the massive amount of research LHA put into studying the time of the Revolutionary War. As usual, I can't wait to read the next book in the series - I hope the next one
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is told in Isabel's voice, though. Show Less
LibraryThing member ShellyPYA
Sequel to Chains. Told from the perspective of Curzon, after he and Isabel run away. They've gotten separated, so Curzon joins up with the army fighting the British, until his old master stumbles across him and forces him into slavery again, where he surprisingly reunites with Isabel and they plot
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a second escape. Show Less
LibraryThing member jenniferthomp75
A decent follow-up to "Chains," but not nearly as good.
The focus in this book shifts from Isabel to Curazon after their flight from slavery. Curazon has joined the army after becoming a free man, but learns the demands set upon him (cold weather, lack of warm clothes and little to no shelter) are
Only when Isabel comes back into the story does it become alive. Curazon is a lovely character, but he has nowhere near the magnetism and energy that Isabel does. It's hard to base a book around a character that's meant to have a supporting role.
Halse Anderson does a great job in depicting the horrors of Valley Forge, but I just wish Isabel had entered the picture a bit earlier.
The focus in this book shifts from Isabel to Curazon after their flight from slavery. Curazon has joined the army after becoming a free man, but learns the demands set upon him (cold weather, lack of warm clothes and little to no shelter) are
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difficult but worth it.Only when Isabel comes back into the story does it become alive. Curazon is a lovely character, but he has nowhere near the magnetism and energy that Isabel does. It's hard to base a book around a character that's meant to have a supporting role.
Halse Anderson does a great job in depicting the horrors of Valley Forge, but I just wish Isabel had entered the picture a bit earlier.
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LibraryThing member ms_rowse
I do like historical fiction, but I don't like excessive descriptions of suffering, hunger, and grime. (Also why I don't watch Game of Thrones, nor will I see Snow White and the Huntsman.) That said, it is incredibly interesting to read about the role of slaves during the Revolutionary War, and the
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irony of fighting for freedom, knowing they were not really ever going to be free. Looking forward to the next book in this series. Show Less
Awards
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Middle Grade — 2013)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — Middle School — 2014)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2011)
CCBC Choices (2011)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2011)
Teacher Favorites Award (2011)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Fiction for Older Readers — 2010)
Language
Original publication date
2010-01-05
Physical description
320 p.; 5.12 inches
ISBN
1416961453 / 9781416961451