Thirteen-year-old Isabel, a slave in 1776, is expecting to be freed upon the death of her kind mistress. However, in a cruel twist of fate, she and her mentally disabled sister are sold to Loyalists and sent to live in New York where the American Revolution is just beginning. Abused both verbally and physically by their sadistic masters, Isabel fights to keep her spirits up and her sister safe. When the Patriots offer Isabel freedom in exchange for spying on her Loyalist family, she reluctantly agrees, but instead of being freed, she is betrayed and beaten. Realizing that neither side of the Revolution wants the kind of freedom that applies to slaves, she is forced to rely on herself to fight for her own freedom as the country fights for theirs.

The author gives the reader many historical details while making it interesting. In the process, some grim realities of war and slavery are exposed. People die in battle and by lynching, and a cannon decapitates a boy. Isabel is badly beaten and her face branded. That said, historical accuracy serves the reader well, depicting the flaws in both parties and ultimately delivering a happy ending. Although this book seems to be marketed more for the Young Adult audience, a mature sixth grader would benefit from reading this book, especially in the classroom, as it is loaded with historical information about our country and discussion-worthy themes such as freedom, human rights, slavery, war, coming of age, power, and the role of women (both black and white). Chains is not for the reluctant reader, who may find it a bit slow.

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