Age: 6th-11th grade
Time period: U.S. Revolutionary War
Award: ALA Notable

Isabel and her little sister are freed from their master when she passes away. Just with the taste of freedom on their tongues in the countryside she loves, a relative of the old widow sweeps in to claim his own and disregards the will's request. With the lawyer gone, Isabel can do nothing and the nephew sells both girls to a New York City couple. A Tory family in the midst of the rebellion, Isabel hears insider information which was thought to fall on trusted ears and has something to gamble towards her and her sister's freedom.
Series #1 ends with Isabel venturing out to find her little sister, presumably moved to another household of the master's. Isabel helps to free a fellow slave, Curzon, from the prison where he was being held with other rebel soldiers for fighting against the British army.

Be advised: this has some truly graphic and very tragic depictions of slave life and the humiliation that accompanied it. Anderson describes a very graphic depiction of a branding (onto Isabel's cheek), a hanging, and the treatment of prisoners of war.

This book is so great because Isabel's character has so much reality and depth to her. She's is oftentimes hesitant about putting herself and her sister in harms way but pushes through regardless--for better or for worse. Her soul's revelation in the end is incredibly gripping and inspirational. This novel also provides a unique perspective of history that can add depth and understanding to a reader. For example, the tragedy of slavery lasted before the Civil War began, which may be how kids see it since this is the only time in which it is taught and elaborated upon.