My latest book read is Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson. This is the second book in a trilogy that is a historical fiction that looks at slavery during the Revolutionary War. The first book is titled "Chains" which I read last year. Chains focused on the story of Isabel, as she was sold from one slave master to another, losing her sister in the process. Along the way, she met Curzon, also a slave. Although not a true story, it is based on the truth of how slaves were used by white men during the Revolutionary War.
Forge continues the story, but the focus shifts from Isabel to Curzon. Curzon has escaped and joins the forces in the war, only to have his slave master find and recapture him. Toward the end of the book, Curzon meets Isabel again and they plot their next moves in an attempt to seek freedom.
In school, students learn about the Revolutionary War, but the focus is on the ways in which the colonists were heroes as they sought freedom from the restrictions of the British. There is far less focus on how, while seeking their own freedom, white colonists enslaved blacks. The Revolutionary War was built in part on the backs of black slaves.
Chains, Forge, and the third book, Ashes, are all must-reads. Not just for your home, but they should be required books read in school for various classes. So grab a copy of these books and sit down for a high quality, educational read.
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