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RSSBy SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 01/22/2009
Chains (S & S, 2008) by Laurie Halse Anderson is winner of the 2009 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction.
Set at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the book is about a 13-year-old girl named Isabel who goes to extraordinary lengths to win her freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of her owner, Isabel and her sister Ruth end up the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution or for the two sisters.
When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he convinces her to spy on the Locktons, who know details of British plans for invasion. Isabel is initially reluctant, but when something terrible happens to Ruth, she realizes her loyalty lies with those who can provide her with freedom.
Halse Anderson’s is the author of numerous books for children and teens Chains and her novel 
Speak were National Book Award finalist in the category of young people’s literature.
The annual award, which comes with a $5,000 check, was created in 1982 by historical fiction writer Scott O’Dell, and goes to a distinguished work of historical fiction for young people that’s written by a U.S. citizen, published by a U. S. publisher, and set in either South, Central, or North America. Since O’Dell’s death, the Award has been administered by his wife, Elizabeth Hall.
Hazel Rochman, contributing editor of YA books for the American Library Association’s Booklist, is the committee chair. The other members include Ann Carlson, English and Fine Arts Librarian, Oak Park and River Forest High School; and Roger Sutton, editor of The Horn Book.
