1. A Book Trailer By, Laurie Halse Anderson ©2014 Gregory Smith

2. What happened that changed As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year- old Isabel wages her own fight for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her five year old little sister, Ruth, suddenly become the property of a cruel New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel. ©2014 Gregory Smith

3. Isabel was a slave and a big sister. Her mother died of small pox and then her nice owner, Mary Finch, also died. Although they were supposed to have been freed, she and her sister, Ruth, were sold to the malevolent Locktons, and they were whisked away to New York to serve them. Isabel meets a slave boy from another household, Curzon, and they instantly become friends. Curzon offers Isabel the job of spying on her masters, the Locktons, but she declines, afraid of getting into trouble. After serving dinner to her master, the mayor and his friends, Isabel overhears the men plotting to kill General Washington. Isabel feels that she must spread the news and tells Curzon. before it is too late. ©2014 Gregory Smith

4. Ruth is five years old and is Isabel’s only little sister. She might get into trouble sometimes, but other than that she doesn’t fool around. She is one hard worker, but she does have a “special” condition. Then one day something happens to her that changes everything … the unthinkable!

5. Mr. and Mrs. Lockton The Revolutionary War is beginning, and they are teaming up with the British. These two are the most nasty people you could ever imagine. Mrs. Lockton is cruel and selfish, and the reason for much of the sister’s misery and suffering. ©2014 Gregory Smith

6. Lady Seymour is Mr. Lockton’s mother. When you first read about her, she’ll seem similar to Mrs. Lockton. However, you’ll see she really does have a heart and cares about Isabel. Isabel could use her help! ©2014 Gregory Smith

8. National Book Award nominee Winner of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction “Readers will care deeply about Isabel…” Kirkus Reviews - starred review “Knocks on the conscience of a nation.” Christian Science Monitor Meet the author, watch videos, and get extras at KIDS. SimonandSchuster.com ©2014 Gregory Smith

9. Vocabulary – Look Up These Words! Emanations Pestilent Beseech Huzzah Intemperate Stead Din Indisposed Melancholy Ague Noxious Purging Summoning Elixir Replenish ©2014 Gregory Smith

10. Laurie Halse Anderson is award -winning author of Chains. Her middle name rhymes with “waltz.” She was born on Oct. 23 1961. After working many low paying jobs, including a pig farm and a clothing store, she decided to go back to college. She graduated, but still couldn’t find a good job. She then began taking her writing seriously. In 1996, after many rejections, she had her first book published. She has written many other books, including Forge, the sequel to Chains. © 2014 Gregory Smith