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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"This land which we have watered with our tears and our blood, is nor our own mother country."
The use of quotes from primary sources and an appendix that answers questions about the time period create a believable account of the Revolutionary War through the eyes of a former teenage slave girl. I'm glad to finally have an ending to this trilogy I began many years ago.
The use of quotes from primary sources and an appendix that answers questions about the time period create a believable account of the Revolutionary War through the eyes of a former teenage slave girl. I'm glad to finally have an ending to this trilogy I began many years ago.
I read this as an assignment for class and didn't know at the time that it was the third in a series. However, not having read the first two didn't cause me to be lost or confused while reading this, which I think really speaks to Anderson's ability to tell a compelling story. I'm a lover of historical fiction anyway and it was very evident to me that Anderson did her research for this. I also found this story very moving. I was particularly touched by Isabel and Aberdeen's discussion of who they are fighting for and why. Isabel said that even though the Patriots weren't fighting for her freedom, she would side with them, because she thought there were at least a few who were kind enough to someday make a difference. I think that's an important lesson.
Wonderful conclusion to the series. My only complaint is that I wanted Anderson to tell us more... keep the story going.
This final book in the Seeds of America trilogy is the best one yet. We rejoin Isabel and Curzon months after the end of Forge and return to Isabel's point of view. They have been traveling south, trying to find Isabel's sister Ruth. When they do find it her, it is not the reunion that Isabel had hoped for. Instead Ruth refuses to even acknowledge her. With the help of the elderly couple who have been taking care of her, Ruth and her friend Aberdeen head north with Isabel and Curzon. Their journey is fraught with peril and they are not out of danger as they join up with the troops gathering for the pivotal Battle of Yorktown. This trilogy takes a hard look at the hypocrisy of the new American government, fighting for freedom yet denying it to the African-Americans in their midst. It is an important piece of American history that should be mandatory reading. Highly recommended for grades 6 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
I've been waiting a long time for this book and, man oh man, it was worth the wait. The conclusion to the trilogy that began with Chains, Ashes takes the reader back to Isabelle and Curzon's story. I cried more than once while reading and could not put it down. I even snuck in a few pages while standing in line at the deli counter today!
I'm thrilled that this story has grown with it's readers (Isabelle and Curzon are in their late teens now) while still maintaining it's appeal to middle school and high school readers. And as a #hamilfan, I think I have an even deeper appreciation for the historical accuracy in the trilogy.
I'm thrilled that this story has grown with it's readers (Isabelle and Curzon are in their late teens now) while still maintaining it's appeal to middle school and high school readers. And as a #hamilfan, I think I have an even deeper appreciation for the historical accuracy in the trilogy.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Two Black sisters are torn apart. the one Isabelle searches for her sister during the American Revolutionary WAr. it takes them to the final battle at Yorktown. Interesting twist on the role of Blacks during the Revolution.
This is the finale in the trilogy, and it's uplifting and heart-wrenching at the same time. Isabel and Curzon push through the battle lines to find Ruth, Isabel's little sister. They stick to the woods, scouting farms and fields to figure out if they're occupied by friend or foe or just folk willing to look the other way if they reveal themselves. They're about to make the final push into the city where they suspect Ruth was taken when they stumble onto her and the wonderful slave couple who took her in when she was little and raised her.
The only problem: Ruth refuses to acknowledge Isabel, and Isabel, of course, blames herself for not looking harder and sooner for her little sister. But there's no time for the long, careful introduction Ruth needs to get used to Isabel and accept her into her life and heart again. The civil war comes knocking, and they have to flee -- with a friend of Ruth's, Aberdeen, a young man who's sweet on her and also a Royalist sympathizer.
Ruth walks around barefoot, as she is wont to do, and develops a life-threatening infection Isabel must nurse her through. The two women accept each other into their hearts after that, although the change happens slowly.
Curzon's ties to the Continental Army prove advantageous for them, and he rejoins, claiming Isabel as his wife. It ensures her a job, cooking and washing the soldiers' dirty laundry, and rations for her and Ruth.
But it's unclear which side, the Americans or the British, will be best for freed Blacks and runaway slaves like Curzon and Isabel. Aberdeen throws his lot in with the British, and tries to take Ruth with him.
Isabel later makes a gruesome discovery about what the British did to the Blacks who joined their ranks when the tide turns. Curzon, in the meantime, is digging trenches for the cannons to bombard the British and his very life is at stake.
I won't spoil how it ends, a both happy and profoundly sad ending, knowing the characters' faith in America's potential for them and their children is misplaced for close to 250 years afterward.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
The only problem: Ruth refuses to acknowledge Isabel, and Isabel, of course, blames herself for not looking harder and sooner for her little sister. But there's no time for the long, careful introduction Ruth needs to get used to Isabel and accept her into her life and heart again. The civil war comes knocking, and they have to flee -- with a friend of Ruth's, Aberdeen, a young man who's sweet on her and also a Royalist sympathizer.
Ruth walks around barefoot, as she is wont to do, and develops a life-threatening infection Isabel must nurse her through. The two women accept each other into their hearts after that, although the change happens slowly.
Curzon's ties to the Continental Army prove advantageous for them, and he rejoins, claiming Isabel as his wife. It ensures her a job, cooking and washing the soldiers' dirty laundry, and rations for her and Ruth.
But it's unclear which side, the Americans or the British, will be best for freed Blacks and runaway slaves like Curzon and Isabel. Aberdeen throws his lot in with the British, and tries to take Ruth with him.
Isabel later makes a gruesome discovery about what the British did to the Blacks who joined their ranks when the tide turns. Curzon, in the meantime, is digging trenches for the cannons to bombard the British and his very life is at stake.
I won't spoil how it ends, a both happy and profoundly sad ending, knowing the characters' faith in America's potential for them and their children is misplaced for close to 250 years afterward.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/