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Seeds of America #1-3
The Seeds of America Trilogy: Chains / Forge / Ashes
What would you risk to be free?
It’s 1776 and Isabel, Curzon, and Ruth have only ever known life as slaves. But now the young country of America is in turmoil—there are whisperings, then cries, of freedom from England spreading like fire, and with it is a whole new type of danger. For freedom being fought for one isn’t necessarily freedom being fought for all…especially if you are a slave. But if an entire nation can seek its freedom, why can’t they? As war breaks out, sides must be chosen, death is at every turn, and one question forever rings in their Would you risk everything to be free? As battles rage up and down the Eastern seaboard, Isabel, Curzon, and Ruth flee, separate, fight, face unparalleled heartbreak and, just like war, they must depend on their allies—and each other—if they are to survive. Which leads to a second, harrowing Amidst so much pain and destruction, can they even recognize who their allies are?
It’s 1776 and Isabel, Curzon, and Ruth have only ever known life as slaves. But now the young country of America is in turmoil—there are whisperings, then cries, of freedom from England spreading like fire, and with it is a whole new type of danger. For freedom being fought for one isn’t necessarily freedom being fought for all…especially if you are a slave. But if an entire nation can seek its freedom, why can’t they? As war breaks out, sides must be chosen, death is at every turn, and one question forever rings in their Would you risk everything to be free? As battles rage up and down the Eastern seaboard, Isabel, Curzon, and Ruth flee, separate, fight, face unparalleled heartbreak and, just like war, they must depend on their allies—and each other—if they are to survive. Which leads to a second, harrowing Amidst so much pain and destruction, can they even recognize who their allies are?
928 pages, Hardcover
First published October 18, 2016
About the author
Laurie Halse Anderson
102 books17.6k followersUPDATE! Rebellion 1776 is out! The New York Times wrote, "Filled with immersive detail, expert delineations of complex characters, and both harsh and loving reality, Rebellion 1776 provides young readers with a true experience of a historic moment in time that resonates with today's world." Huzzah!
Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author of many award-winning books including the groundbreaking, modern classic Speak, a National Book Award finalist which has sold over 3.5 million copies and been translated into 35 languages.
In 2023, Anderson was named the Laureate of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, long considered to be the de facto 'Nobel Prize for Children's Literature.'
A passionate spokesperson for the need to combat censorship, she has been honored for her battles for intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English. She lives near Philadelphia. Go Birds!
Follow Laurie on Bluesky at @halseanderson.bsky.social, Instagram at halseanderson, and Facebook at lauriehalseanderson, or by visiting her website, madwomanintheforest.com.
Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author of many award-winning books including the groundbreaking, modern classic Speak, a National Book Award finalist which has sold over 3.5 million copies and been translated into 35 languages.
In 2023, Anderson was named the Laureate of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, long considered to be the de facto 'Nobel Prize for Children's Literature.'
A passionate spokesperson for the need to combat censorship, she has been honored for her battles for intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English. She lives near Philadelphia. Go Birds!
Follow Laurie on Bluesky at @halseanderson.bsky.social, Instagram at halseanderson, and Facebook at lauriehalseanderson, or by visiting her website, madwomanintheforest.com.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 16, 2018
NEVER have I ever become so emotionally intertwined with a book's characters. So much respect for Laurie Halse Anderson. This series has left me speechless. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.
May 22, 2018
review by Jasur age 11:
This series was good and interesting because of what was happening at the time. Slavery, revolutionary war and the redoubt attacks. My favorite of the series was Ashes because it was the resolution and it talked about the end of the war which was interesting. I would recommend this to people who like books from old times. My favorite character was Curzon. I like him cuz he's a soldier, he's strong, brave, courageous and cool. Isabella was brave too and courageous and strong so I liked her too. She threw a hatchet at an alligator's head! Because the alligator would have eaten them when they were walking through a swamp.
This series was good and interesting because of what was happening at the time. Slavery, revolutionary war and the redoubt attacks. My favorite of the series was Ashes because it was the resolution and it talked about the end of the war which was interesting. I would recommend this to people who like books from old times. My favorite character was Curzon. I like him cuz he's a soldier, he's strong, brave, courageous and cool. Isabella was brave too and courageous and strong so I liked her too. She threw a hatchet at an alligator's head! Because the alligator would have eaten them when they were walking through a swamp.
June 7, 2020
The series were about an African American girl named Isabel who is trying to find her sister Ruth. Ruth is forced to be in another state and her memory changes. When Isabel sees Ruth and goes toward her, Ruth starts violently attack Isabel because she thinks Isabel is a stranger and might attack her.
June 21, 2020
This is an excellent series. The story line and plot keep the reader/listener engaged. (I have read the whole series to three different classes of fifth grade students). With each re-reading I feel engaged and pick up new twists that I had missed before. It is worth reading once for the story, as second time to remember and a third time just for fun.
October 3, 2021
One of my favorite series ever. Anderson is by far the greatest historical fiction author I've ever read works by (which would include Fever 1793) but this series was one that I had to work to put down. The characters are made relatable and going along with them on their journey through this historical moment is one I'll never forget. Recommended for any tween or teen especially.
May 10, 2019
I really enjoyed this series because it gave a important perspective on the American Revolution, one we don't usually see in history textbooks. Anderson's character development is beautiful, and once I was finished with the series, I found myself wanting more.
November 28, 2017
Amazing book series! Loved it!
April 20, 2018
I loved this series especially the part when Isabel goes after her lost sister who was shipped to another city.
September 21, 2018
AMAZING!
April 23, 2019
Very well written and easy to keep up with!
January 1, 2020
book one 3 stars, book two 4 stars, book three 4 stars.
May 3, 2020
Fantastic trilogy, really 4.5 stars across all three books.
December 14, 2021
Love these books!!!
December 26, 2021
I own the whole book series! And, me and my mom got into them right after my school had required us to read the first!
July 23, 2023
Excellent series! Highly recommend <3
January 14, 2024
Must read for early American experience.
January 24, 2024
I think anyone that likes both love stories and the struggle of independence and having someone rely on you will LOVE this series. It is AMAZING for anyone newly getting into book reading and will set you on a path to historical fiction. Especially Forge with Corzone in war.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2020
I never expected a YA historical fiction novel to be so unpredictable! Strong believable characters to root for and all kinds of twists and turns make these satisfying reads.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews