Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chains | 2008 | Laurie Halse Anderson | Buy |
| 2 | Forge | 2010 | Laurie Halse Anderson | Buy |
| 3 | Ashes | 2016 | Laurie Halse Anderson | Buy |
The Seeds of America Trilogy tells the story of the American Revolution from the perspective of enslaved people. Chains (2008) follows Isabel, a teenage girl sold into slavery in New York City during the British occupation. Forge (2010) shifts to Curzon, an escaped slave who ends up at Valley Forge with Washington’s army. Ashes (2016) brings both characters together as the war nears its end.
Anderson spent years researching the series, and the historical detail is specific enough to hold up under scrutiny. The books do not soften what slavery looked like during the Revolution. They were published as young adult novels but have crossover appeal for adult readers interested in the period.