The Forge- Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, L. (2010). Forge. New York: Antheneum.
Summary
Fifteen year old Curzon Smith, freed from slavery during the Revolutionary War by stubborn Miss Isabel Finch, is stuck in another ordeal when he ends up saving the life of a young Patriot in 1777 after battling the British and won. Because of this he is made a member of the 16th regiment of the Continental Army and spends the winter with them. Readers are given first hand accounts of the grueling winter of 1777-1778 and the lack of food, supplies, and hope among the soldiers. Then, if by fate or by very bad luck, both Curzon and Isabel are captured and must devise a plan of escape.
Review
Readers of Speak or Wintergirls will be pleasantly surprised at Anderson's second historical fiction book. Forge is a great account of one's search for freedom, both for their fellow man and for themselves. This book can either be read after Chains, or it can be read as a stand alone novel.
Genre
Historical Fiction
Readers Age/Interest Level
13-18 years/Tween-Teen
Similar Books
(PREQUEL) Chains- Laurie Halse Anderson
Moon Over Manifest- Clare Vanderpool
Woods Runner- Gary Paulsen
Awards

• Junior Library Guild Selection
• Kirkus Best Book for Teens: Historical Novels 2010
• The Horn Book Fanfare List Best Book of 2010
• YALSA 2011 Best Books for Young Adults
• Readers Annotation
• Just as Curzan escapes his physical prison, he is forced into another as he has to keep is true identity a secret in order to survive.