Forge

Novel: Forge
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Genre: Y.A. Literature
Other works by Halse Anderson: Fever 1793, Chains, Wintergirls, Twisted, Speak
Please visit Laurie Halse Anderson's website a complete list of works beyond Y.A. literature.

Forge is the second book in the Chains series by Halse Anderson. Chains, the first book, is told in first person narration by a teenaged, African American slave, named Isabelle, but frequently referred to as Country. For the second book, Halse Anderson changes from her female narrator to Curzon, a slightly older teenaged, African American slave. To ensure his freedom, Curzon enlists in the American army during the time of the Revolutionary War. Since this is the second book in a series, I'm hesitant to go into detail for fear that I might give away pivotal information from the first novel.
Halse Anderson is known for her excellent writing of historical fiction. Teaching books such as Chains and Forge would offer students a more engaging way of learning about their country's history than plopping a five-hundred page text book on their desks. At the end of Chains and Forge is an appendix where Halse Anderson answers questions regarding her novel and the accuracy of the information presented. For example, some of the questions she answers are: "Which side did African Americans fight for during the Revolution?" and "How was life different for slaves on big plantations, on farms and in cities?" Also, in some additions of these novels are a list of sources where she received the information regarding the historical time period. And just for you teachers, Halse Anderson has added a section of discussion questions! Fabulous!