Isabell

“I thought of all the ancestors waiting at the water's edge for their stolen children to come home. Waiting and waiting and waiting . . .”
― Laurie Halse Anderson, Chains

“That fellow was like all of us: descended from good people who were stolen from their families and country, sailed over the sea, and forced into slavery. ‘We don’t let them steal our dignity,’ that preacher said. Richard, his name was. He said they cannot steal our honor, our strength, or our love.” “True words,” I said. “Do you know what he said about this America?” Henry asked. I shook my head. “Remember, lads?” Henry asked his mates. “Join with me. He said, ‘This land . . .’” A half dozen voices spoke with Henry, strong black men sharing the preacher’s words like a hymn or a prayer. “‘Which we have watered with our tears and our blood, is now our mother country.’” The words drifted up to the stars with the sparks from the fire. “We go to war, Missus Isabel,” Henry added, “in order to make our mother country, this land, free for everyone.”
― Laurie Halse Anderson, Ashes

“Don't forget how to be gentle," she warned. "Don't let the hardness of the world steal the softness of your heart. The greatest strength of all is daring to love.”
― Laurie Halse Anderson, Ashes

“Don't forget how to be gentle," she warned. "Don't let the hardness of the world steal the softness of your heart.”
― Laurie Halse Anderson, Ashes