Ashes

(Hardback)

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Return to the American Revolution in this blistering conclusion to the middle grade Seeds of America trilogy.

As the Revolutionary War rages on, Isabel and Curzon have narrowly escaped Valley Forgebut their relief is short-lived. Before long they are reported as runaways, and the awful Bellingham is determined to track them down. With purpose and faith, Isabel and Curzon march on, fiercely determined to find Isabels little sister Ruth, who is enslaved in a Southern statewhere bounty hunters are thick as flies.

Heroism and heartbreak pave their path, but Isabel and Curzon wont stop until they reach Ruth, and then freedom, in this grand finale to the acclaimed New York Times bestselling trilogy from Laurie Halse Anderson.

Reviews

Co-protagonists Isabel and Curzon (Chains, 2008, and Forge, 2010) return in this long-awaited third and final volume in Andersons award-winning Seeds of America trilogy. The year is now 1781 and two teenage fugitives are 12 miles from Charleston, South Carolina, in search of Isabels younger sister Ruth, stolen away from her many years before. To Isabels great joy, find her they do but, inexplicably, Ruth refuses to return Isabels affection, remaining cold and distant even when the three, along with farm boy Eben, set off to walk to Rhode Island and freedom. Will they reach their destination Perhaps, but in the meantime they arrive in Williamsburg, Virginia, where, to Isabels great distress, Curzon re-enlists in the Continental Army. The action then moves to the siege of Yorktown even as Isabel and Curzons often stormy relationship continues to evolve. But to what end The plot-rich text makes for compelling reading and the well-developed characters continue to invite reader empathy. Anderson demonstrates a particular talent for verisimilitude, bringing history to compelling life while she continues to develop her theme of the quest for liberty and the cruel irony that, during a war for freedom, there should remain slavery. Yes, readers, it was worth the wait. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Chains and Forge are considered highlights of an author career packed with highlights, and this final installment comes with a book tour, floor displays, and more. -- Booklist *STARRED* * July 1, 2016 *
The Seeds of America trilogy concludes at the Battle of Yorktown as Isabel and Curzon, along with the emerging new nation, grapple with the meaning of liberty. Isabel's journey in the first two novels took her from New York City in 1776 to Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-1778; now she's gone to Yorktown in 1781, in search of her younger sister, Ruth, who had been separated from her and sent south from New York City. Curzon and Isabel have known each other since trilogy opener Chains (2008), when Isabel saved him from certain death in a British prison, and they have experienced much together. Curzon has become a believer in the patriots' dream of creating a new nation conceived in liberty, but Isabel reminds him that "we'd been enslaved by both Patriots and Loyalists, and that neither side was talking about freedom for people who looked like us." And they are both shaken by news that "self-liberated people" are being imprisoned by the American army and delivered back into slavery. Isabel's voice is strong in this first-person narrative; though the war is the backdrop, this is her personal story, her meditation on family, loyalty, slavery, freedom, and the principles behind the Revolution. Anderson's appendix offers much additional historical detail in the form of responses to questions.A strong conclusion to a monumental tale of the American Revolution. (appendix) (Historical fiction. 10-14) -- Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW * 7/15/16 *
The final book in the trilogy finds escaped slaves Isabel and Curzon three years into their grueling search for Isabels little sister Ruth and deeply divided in their beliefs of who is fighting for their freedom: the Patriots or the British. In 1781, the American Revolution rages on. When Isabel and Curzon discover 12-year-old Ruth on a plantation near Charleston, SC, they rejoice; agree to bring Ruths friend, Aberdeen, with them; and quickly begin their secretive return journey north. After struggling to survive in the wilderness, the runaways are emboldened to separate and blend into the turmoil of the Patriot encampments, first at Williamsburg and then at Yorktown. Curzon becomes a Patriot soldier, Aberdeen lives a dual life as a spy for the British, and Isabel and Ruth find work in a laundry. When the sisters are threatened with recapture, they flee again and reinvent themselves as cooks for the soldiers at Yorktown. Their plight offers a less explored perspective on the motivations and hopes of black soldiers during the American Revolutionfreedom from slavery, not just from England. Fascinating facts, anecdotes, and real personalities and events are smoothly woven into this fictional story. The unheralded supportive role of women on the battlefield is depicted. Ruths stubborn nature adds emotional complexity that challenges and ultimately deepens Isabels compassion and understanding of others. VERDICT A rich cast of characters, nonstop adventures, lively dialogue, vivid battlefield descriptions, budding romance, and an informative appendix are hallmarks of this excellent novel and this compelling, must-have historical fiction series. -- School Library Journal, *STARRED REVIEW* * August 2016 *
Picking up in June 1781, three years afterForge (2010), this thrilling conclusion to Andersons Seeds of America trilogy finds former slaves Isobel and Curzon finally locating Isobels younger sister, Ruth, on a South Carolina plantation. The reunion is not a happy one: while Ruth, now 12, has been cared for by fellow slaves on the plantation, she rebuffs Isobel. Curzon and Isobel are also at odds over his desire to enlist in the fight for independence. Despite the discord, the three head northjoined by Aberdeen, an escaped slave from the plantationstopping in Williamsburg, Va., where patriots are preparing for an assault on Yorktown. As in the previous two books, Andersons vividly detailed writing immerses readers in the hardships of her heroes travels and the harsh realities of war. Isobels eventual reconciliation with Ruth, her growing understanding of Curzons need to fight, and her recognition of the true feelings between them all work to guide the story to an emotionally satisfying conclusion. Its a gripping finish to an epic journey that speaks resoundingly to the human capacity to persevere. Ages 1014. -- Publishers Weekly *STARRED REVIEW* * July 18, 2016 *
Its been five long years since Isabels younger sister, Ruth, was stolen away byhated slave owner Madam Lockton (Chains, rev. 11/08), but as Isabel continuesher fraught journey south in June 1781 with her companion, Curzon, she remainsas determined as ever to find and rescue her sister. On a semi-abandoned SouthCarolina plantation, they dofind Ruth, but she has made a home there and isaloof and even hostile to Isabel. This attitude, coupled with Ruths slight mentalimpairment, makes their continuing escape (as Isabel, Curzon, and Ruth flee theplantation when the white overseer returns) even more perilous. Heading north,they are inexorably drawn toward Yorktown, setting of the climactic battle ofthe American Revolution. Anderson takes full advantage of unfolding historyto weave a plethora of historical detail into the narrative, while her charactersconfront the relative merits of the American and British positions in relation tothe status of African Americans. Isabel comes to realize that freedom would notbe handed to us like a gift. Freedom had to be fought for and taken. By questioningthe fundamental principles upon which this nation was founded, the Seedsof America trilogy does for middle grade readers what M. T. Andersons OctavianNothing books (rev. 9/06 and 9/08) do for young adult readers. And amidst themoral quagmire of colonial-American racial politics, Isabel and Curzon resolve theromantic tension that has simmered throughout the series and forge a hopeful,clear-eyed vision of their shared future. -- The Horn Book Magazine * September/October 2016 *
The concluding volume of Andersons Seeds of America Trilogy finds slaves Isabel and Curzon on the run as the War for Independence draws to a close. They were adolescents when the war began in Chains (BCCB 11/08), and now as young adults they face not only the trials of war and desperate strategies to secure their personal freedom but also their feelings for each other as they try to envision an adult future. Curzon has agreed to stay with Isabel until she locates her younger sister, Ruth. The anticipated reunion, however, doesnt bring the joy Isabel hoped for: Ruth wants nothing to do with her, having formed a warm family bond with a slave couple on their owners South Carolina property. Moreover, Curzon has now discharged his promised obligation, and considering his and Isabels disagree- ment on whether their best chances lie with the British or Continentals, it seems likely he will go his own way. Still, the three head northward together and Isabel reaches a tentative rapprochement with Ruth, but Isabel still worries about Curzons intentions. He throws his lot in with the Patriots, and it is during the hard-fought battle at Yorktown that Isabel finally realizes his love for his country is as big and as passionate as his love for her, and to him, there is no difference. If this seems a bit sunny, given the grim episodes they have weathered throughout the series, Anderson leaves the details of their future for readers to work out. With slave catchers on the prowl at the wars end, the Continental Army unable (unwilling) to protect its black fighters, and a long road ahead to safety in the North, theres no lock on happily ever after. A Q & Astyled appendix provides additional historical context and suggested resources. -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books * November 2016 *

Author Bio

Laurie Halse Anderson is aNew York Timesbestselling author known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity. Her work has earned numerous ALA and state awards. Two of her books,ChainsandSpeak, were National Book Award finalists.Chainsalso received the 2009 Scott ODell Award for Historical Fiction, and Laurie was chosen for the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award. She lives in Pennsylvania, and you can follow her adventures on Twitter @HalseAnderson or visit her at MadWomanintheForest.com.