Title: Forge (Seeds of America)
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Ratings Explanation
Language: A few uses of Deity. Some crude terms (using the word piss for urinating). One use of the word damn. Several times it says that someone “cursed” or “swore” but no words are specified. The word negar is used a handful of times, in reference to the black slaves. Other, very mild, derogatory insults: cowards, dogmeat, wench.
Violence: A few scenes of war violence. A few instances of shooting, stabbing and several times “the wounded screamed.” Curzon is beaten up by some of the other soldiers. Curzon thinks about killing Bellingham (contemplates using the fireplace poker to beat his head or using the shaving razor to slit his throat.) A sergeant in the army is hit in the ankle with an axe. He suffers, has an amputation and later dies. A hanging is witnessed. It is mentioned a few times that Isabel was abused, but no specifics are given. Bellingham points a gun at Isabel and threatens to shoot her. Bellingham and Curzon wrestle and fight in the kitchen and Bellingham is hit in the head with a shovel.
Sexual Content: Curzon thinks about kissing Isabel and later kisses her. Curzon sees Isabel in pants for the first time and notices her figure. He notes that he can see the entire length of her leg and a “good eyeful” of her rump.
Adult Themes: Just like the first book in the series,
Chains, Forge focuses on slavery. The question is posed of who “deserves” to be free. Black people are considered, very literally, the property of others and are bought, sold and given as gifts. Isabel is required to wear an iron band with a lock around her neck for trying to escape. Treatment of the slaves is poor, including physical and verbal abuse.
Another main theme is war. There are several battles described as well as the conditions of the soldiers in Valley Forge: freezing weather, little to no food, poor shelter, lack of proper clothing and supplies. Men die due to the poor conditions. The burial of a few of the soldiers is described.
Synopsis
Forge picks up right where Chains left us — only this time presented in the voice of Curzon. Isabel and Curzon have run away across the river and are doing what they can to survive as run away slaves. They soon separate and Curzon is then thrust into the army again. Becoming friends with his fellow soldiers is what helps him through as he continues on in the Battle of Saratoga and on to Valley Forge. He is constantly thinking of Isabel and her safety and wonders if and when they will meet again.
I thought this was a great sequel to
Chains. At first I was a little disappointed that Isabel wasn’t the main focus of the book, since I had fallen in love with her in Chains, but I ended up really enjoying hearing the story from Curzon’s point of view. Again, it was wonderfully historical and gave me much to think about in regards to slavery as well as cementing in me deeper respect for those that have fought for our country’s freedoms. Would be a great book for children and parents to read together and discuss.
Tags: Chains, Forge, freedom, friendship, Laurie Halse Anderson, Revolutionary War, Seeds of America, slavery
Genre: Adventure, Grades 6-7, Grades 8-9, High School, Historical Fiction |
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