Forge

Forge
By Laurie Halse Anderson
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010. 297 pgs. Young Adult

Curzon, a recently escaped slave, has parted ways with Isabel, the girl who rescued him. Isabel was determined to head to Charleston to look for her little sister; Curzon thought the plan was foolish, so Isabel left without him. In order to survive, Curzon somewhat accidentally enlists in the Continental Army and is among the troops stuck in Valley Forge for a miserable winter. All the while, he's trying not to think about Isabel, dealing with prejudice from other soldiers, and planning his future.

The second book in the Chains series is a fine piece of historical fiction. Curzon is a likable character, and many readers will be interested to see how things play out between him and Isabel. The look at life at Valley Forge is interesting, and the look at slavery in a country fighting for its freedom is definitely intriguing. There are some slow moments, but all in all, it's a thought-provoking and entertaining book.

AE