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CHAINS by: Laurie Halse Anderson ﻿Jamie Herbst

PLOT: The plot of the book Chains is about a young girl named Isabel and her little sister Ruth. Their master had died and the masters only living relative took and soldIisabel and Ruth when in the masters will it said that they were to be set free. The relative sold the girls to the Locktons, the wife cruel, and the husband caught up in his loyalist work. As the time goes by, Isabel is spying for the rebels to possibly get her and her sister set free. Things go bad when Isabel gets caught spying, as her owners are loyalist's, she then runs away. 10/10

CHARACTER LIST: Isabel:main character, hard worker, sometimes speaks out of turn. Ruth: has "fits", quiet, small. Madam Lockton: cruel, not afraid to hit, impatient. Mister Lockton: loyalist, works a lot. Curzon: very helpful to Isabel, nice. Lacking detail 10/25

ANALYSIS/PREDICTION: Chapter 1- In this first chapter, I am a little confused about who the characters are. There a lot of characters and the author hasn't done a good job of explaining who they are or their significance. Mr.Robert seems like a mean person that has no heart. I predict that Isabel and Ruth will try to find and talk to Momma's ghost.

Chapter 2- I thought it was really courageous for Isabel to speak up and tell Pastor Weeks that there is a will that freed her and Ruth. Of course, being slaves, no one listened to them. I predict Isabel will go out and find them, ultmately freeing them.

Chapter 3- I thought it was depressing that Ruth couldn't take her baby doll with her. Also, Jenny was extremely friendly to them, and feeding them a nice dinner. I predict Isabel and Ruth will be treated bad by Madam Lockton.

Chapter 4- It's terrible how they just crammed Isabel and Ruth uncomfortably on the ship, with Isabel puking. When they get to the harbor, I predict they will try to run and escape into the country-side.

Chapter 5- I was shocked when Madam Locton hit Isabel. She hit her in front of a crowd, too. How can you hit another living human being like that for no reason? I predict one day Isabel will rebel and hit Madam Lockton back.

Chapter 6- Curzon seems like another kind young slave that can easily relate to what Isabel and Ruth are going through. It seems dangerous for Isabel to go to Curzon in the nighttime just to tell him the Lockton's secrets. I predict Curzon will help Isabel and Ruth become free from slavery.

Chapter 7- The Lockton's house seems really expensive and nice. But the Lockton's seem like they have a lot of chores for Isabel and Ruth to do. Becky is a nice slave girl that helps the sisters. I predict that Isabel and Ruth will be miserable for however long thay stay at the Locktons.

Chapter 8- It is really terrible how Madam Lockton treats her slaves. Now she has Ruth, who is a toddler, as her 'personal maid' constantly working, and fetching her things. I predict that Ruth will get beat severely by Madam for being so tired for working so long.

Chapter 9- My prediction was true. Ruth was crying because she was beat by Madam for not doing what she was told. Also, Master Lockton is going to try to get people to switch sides to be a Loyalist for 200 acres of land. I predict Master Lockton will get caught and got to jail for months for getting people to switch sides.

Chapter 10- Isabel went to Curzon's shed to tell him about what Master Lockton was up to. That was extremely brave of her! She could have got caught on the way there. On the way back home, I predict Isabel will be caught by soldiers, though.

Chapter 11- I feel bad for Isabel. Master Bellingham went to the Lockton's house in search of evidence to prove of his deeds to switch people to the other side. Unfortunatly, they found no such evidence. I predict Isabel will be whipped badly for telling on Master Lockton's plan.

Chapter 12- Lady Seymour seems really kind, almost too nice to be friends with Madam Lockton. Lady Seymour fed Isabel cookies and milk until she was full. In the future, I predict Lady Seymour will be a key person in the freedom of Isabel and Ruth.

Chapter 13- I thought it was funny when Isabel thought the man at the water pump was actually Curzon's grandfather. In fact, the man is the 'grandfather' of everybody. I predict Isabel will be caught reading books one day- slaves aren't allowed to read.

Chapter 14- Master Lockton and his companions are having discussions of murdering George Washington. If they do that, the Loyalists are victorious. I predict Isabel will tell Curzon of this new information.

Chapter 15- In this chapter, Ruth had a fit or spell making her sieze on the floor. It's a illness of her's. Madam was saying Ruth had the 'devil' in her. Madam should be helping her. I predict Madam will sell Ruth to another slave owner.

Chapter 16- Isabel went to Colonel Regan with the news of the plot to kill George Washington. Once again, this was brave of Isabel. In return Regan is supposed to free Isabel if the information is true. I predict Colonel Regan, even though the news was helpful, will not free Isabel and Ruth.

Chapter 17- The plan to kill George Washington has been uncovered, thanks to Isabel. Soldiers came to the Lockton's house to arrest him, but he was long gone. I predict they will catch and find Master Lockton, then they will kill him.

Chapter 18- The man who almost assasinated Washington was executed in front of a huge crowd. Attending was Isabel and Ruth. It is always sad when anybody losses their life. I predict because of all of the horrror, Isabel will try to escape that night.

Chapter 19- Ruth had a small fit that was barely noticable. Ruth is just so caring, doing anything at all just to help her sister be safe. I predict one day, Ruth will have a more noticing, forcing Madam to sell her.

Chapter 20- I love the part where the Patriots push the statue of King Louis over onto the ground. That shows how much the Patriots want to break ties from Great Britain. Later on in this book, I predict the Patriots will accomplish just that.

Chapter 21- Even though I predicted that Ruth would be sold, it was still sad to see two sisters being seperated because of a mean woman. It is horrific how Madam treats her slaves. I predict Isabel will go out and rescue Ruth herself.

Chapter 22- It's unbelievable how Isabel is in court being charged with assualts and she was the one being assualted. I feel bad for Isabel and everything she's gone through. I predict she will stand up for herself, but instead make it worse.

Chapter 23- Isabel did not deserve the punishment she recieved. She shouldn't have recieved any pusishments at all. I don't understand how grown men can watch a girl being burned amusing to watch. I predict Isabel will be depressed because of her life and her sister that isn't with her.

Chapter 24- Lady Seymour is an extremely kind woman that has sympathy for Isabel and what has happened. She treats African-Americans like any other person. I predict Lady Seymour will buy Isabel and help her find Ruth.

Chapter 25- It seems as if Isabel is doing more work than usual after her punishment. She is constantly doing chores for Madam, and running errands. I predict Isabel will rebel against doing so much work.

Chapter 26- It's a great tactic for the British to take runaway slaves as soldiers, then later free them. Isabel is even thinking about joining the British army. I predict Isabel will join the British army to later be free and find Ruth.

Chapter 27- The British beat the Patriots in a battle at Brooklyn. Isabel is still thinking about joining the British army. I think she should join them to free her and Ruth. I predict she will run away to the British and find Ruth along the way.

Chapter 28- The war has finally started in New York. Also, my prediction was correct. Isabel is traveling to be with the British while Madam thinks she is out doing chores. I predict Isabel will be a 'nurse' to the injured soldiers of the British.

Chapter 29- It was extremely brave if Isabel to ask Captain Campbell if she could join the army and help around. I would have never had the guts to do what she did. But, in the end, Captain Campbell declined her offer. I predict Master Lockton will find out that Isabel was trying to escape them.

Chapter 30- Isabel temperarily being a slave for Aunt Seymour will be better for her. Aunt Seymour is way nicer than Madam and feeds Isabel full meals, but the work is just as hard. I predict Isabel will be happy working for Aunt Seymour.

Chapter 31- Isabel is a very caring and courageous girl. She pulled Aunt Seymour out of a burning house to save Seymour's life when her life was in danger as well. I predict Aunt Seymour will free Isabel for her courageous act.

Chapter 32- Around five hundred homes were destroyed in the fire. They found the guy who set the fire, named Nathan Hale. Also, there is a mean, new lady working in the kitchen named Sarah. I predict Sarah will physically abuse Isabel.

Chapter 33- There was a battle at the fort and the British captured a lot of rebel prisoners, including Curzon. He was kind to Isabel and tried to help her. I predict Isabel will try to help Curzon escape from jail.

Chapter 34- There was a supper at the Lockton's house to celebrate the British's capture of Fort Washington. Isabel had to help carry the dishes to and from the dinner table. I still believe Isabell will help Curzon escape jail.

Chapter 35- My prediction was partially true. Isabel only went to visit Curzon, not free him. Isabel was really kind for bringing food for Curzon and the other soldiers. I predict Madam will catch her visiting Curzon.

Chapter 36- Lady Seymour got a bad fever, but has recovered since. She is really nice to Isabel, and I hope she doesn't die. A guy gave Isabel a book to read. I predict Isabel will be caught reading that book and be beat again.

Chapter 37- When Isabel went to visit Curzon in prison, he had a fever and pox. He was very ill, shivering and not talking at all. Curzon had no blanket and a soldier stole his hat. I predict Isabel will bring plenty of blankets and food for Curzon until he returns to full health.

Chapter 38- It was Christmas day in this chapter. Isabel was supposed to have the whole day of no chores, but instead worked half of the day. Also, Madam found out about Isabel visiting Curzon in prison. I predict Isabel will keep going to visit Curzon.

Chapter 39- Captain Morse had Isabel deliver a loaf of bread with a note inside saying the rebels won a battle and captured many British soldiers. I predict Madam will find out Isabel delivered the note!

Chapter 40- Sarah had a baby and named it George, after King George. Then, Lady Seymour told Isabel she wanted to buy her. I predict Lady Seymour will still buy Isabel and help her find Ruth.

Chapter 41- Lady Seymour had a seizure because of her apoplexy. Now, Lady Seymour can't speak or move her legs. Isabel and her have a good relationship. I predict Lady Seymour will die.

Chapter 42- Isabel is an extremely brave girl that will do almost anything dangerous. She delivered a penny to Captain Farrar that was from Captain Morse. I predict Madam will slap her hand across Isabel's face for delivering something to a rebel officer.

Chapter 43- Madam beat Isabel good. Then, Isabel learned that Madam hasn't sold Ruth yet, and that Ruth was in Charleston. So, Isabel is planning to travel to South Carolina and find Ruth. I predict Isabel will be reunited with Ruth.

Chapter 44- Lady Seymour let Isabel take money from her because Isabel saved the portrait of her husband. Then, Isabel sneaked Curzon out of the prison saying he was dead when he was still alive. I predict they will be caught and executed.

Chapter 45- In this last chapter, Isabel and Curzon made it past British guards and to the river. She rowed across the river to New Jersey where she became free.

I guess your prediction of execution did not work out 50/50

REVOLUTION THEME CONECTION:

This book, Chains, by Lourie Halse Anderson, is related to the French and American revolutions. How its related to the Frenc revolution is that when the French saw that rebels could start a war against a government and win it, they wanted to do the same. That's because they thought that because the patriots could win, the rebels in France could win. How its related to the american revolution is because it actually is taking place during the american revolution. The locktons, Isebels owners, were loyalists who would lie to the patriots when the patriots believed they were on the rebels side. That is how the book __Chains__ is related to the American revolution as well as the French revolution. 15/25 no details