As the brand new War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own battle…for freedom. Promised independence upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, inside a cruel twist of fate become the home of a destructive New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Trend and even less for Ruth and Isabel. When Isabel fits Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he promotes her to spy on her owners, who know details of English plans for invasion. She actually is reluctant initially, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with independence. From acclaimed writer Laurie Halse Anderson comes this compelling, impeccably investigated novel that presents the lengths we are able to go to cast off our stores, both physical and spiritual. Winner of the Margaret A. Edwards Award 2009