When most people think of slavery in America, they tend to think of large plantations in the South. We think of a time period that is close to the American Civil War. Some more recent works, such as the Octavian Nothing series by M.T. Anderson, are introducing teen readers (among others) to what it was like to be a slave in northern locales both before and during the American Revolution.

Isabel Finch and her younger sister Ruth are two African American slaves whose owners live in Newport, Rhode Island. Life could definitely be a lot more difficult for them, particularly when you consider that their mistress is the type of woman who has promised to free all her slaves with her will when she dies. Unfortunately, her family disagrees with her wishes, and Ruth and Isabel find themselves on their way to New York City after being sold by the heirs upon their mistress' death.

Their new owners are Loyalists, who steadfastly support the Crown even as Patriots work hard for their own freedom as the Revolution starts to take hold. What is even worse is that their new mistress is terribly abusive to the girls. She is so much so that Isabel finds herself willing to aide and abet the Patriots, and one young man in particular, as the forming nation and Great Britain come to arms.

Isabel is such a strong character, and she is supported by Anderson's writing, which really draws the reader in. You can't help but be compelled to cheer her on as she confronts the various challenges in her life, which includes the loss of her sister, being brutally punished, and also finding the support of her new owners' great aunt.

I found myself connecting more to this book than I ever did with the Octavian Nothing books, which feel a little dense. Anderson has tried to do what she could to use the speech patterns of the time. That along with the traditional typesetting and the realistic environment that is presented in her writing really makes the reader easily visualize what she is presenting.

The one thing I struggled with in the book is that it concludes quite abruptly. I can't really explain how except to say that Isabel is about to start on a new phase in her life at the end of the book, which is an obvious breaking point. The good news is that the tale of Isabel will continue in another volume entitled Forge, which I am already anticipating.

Besides being a National Book Award Finalized in the area of writing for young people, this was also this year's winner of the Scott O'Dell Book Award, which recognizes quality historical fiction for young adult readers.