I’m even prouder to be an American who is trying to help my countrymen understand our history so that we might truly fulfill the promise of the Declaration of Independence that this will one day (soon!) become a land where everyone is treated equally. Thats where Momma was now, wailing at the waters edge. They kept moving us over the water, stealing us away from our ghosts and ancestors, who cried salty rivers into the sand. Thats why Africans got trapped in the Americas. Momma said that ghosts couldnt move over water. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. Laurie Halse Anderson, quote from Chains. I started reading books and studying the work of historians who wrote about the development of the United States as seen from the perspective of people of color.Īll of this helped lead me to write my trilogy about the American Revolution: CHAINS, FORGE and ASHES (this last installment is almost done.) Chains essays are academic essays for citation. That helped me reexamine everything I thought I knew about American history. Re-reading it as an adult, I saw the ugly, casual racism for what it was. Back then, it was just a fascinating book that sparked my interest in American history. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t notice these things when I was nine years old. There are a number of flaws in it, notably Wilder’s profound racism towards Native Americans and African Americans. Wow – what an amazing question! I think Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Which is the one book that has influenced you more than any other, in terms of who you are, how you live and what you think? West Virginia Children's Book Award Master List Volunteer State Book Award Master List (TN) Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee Pacific Northwest Young Reader's Choice Award Master List

Pacific Northwest Young Reader's Choice Award Nutmeg Children's Book Award Nominee (CT) Garden State Teen Book Award Nominee (NJ) Buy the Book Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-A-Million Indiebound AwardsĪLA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults - Top TenĬBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade BookĬharlotte Award Suggested Reading List (NY)

Chains laurie halse