Ashes
Return to the American Revolution in this blistering conclusion to the trilogy that began with the bestselling National Book Award Finalist Chains and continued with Forge, which The New York Times called “a return not only to the colonial era but to historical accuracy.”
As the Revolutionary War rages on, Isabel and Curzon have narrowly escaped Valley Forge—but their relief is short-lived. Before long they are reported as runaways, and the awful Bellingham is determined to track them down. With purpose and faith, Isabel and Curzon march on, fiercely determined to find Isabel’s little sister Ruth, who is enslaved in a Southern state—where bounty hunters are thick as flies.
Heroism and heartbreak pave their path, but Isabel and Curzon won’t stop until they reach Ruth, and then freedom, in this grand finale to the acclaimed Seeds of America trilogy from Laurie Halse Anderson.
Read an Excerpt
Discussion Guide 
Timeline/Map 
Video Laurie talks about her inspiration
Colonial Tea Recipes and Tips
Riveted Review 
Heroes Not Hate Unsung Heroes
Hamilton Connect with the musical
Praise for Ashes
“Yes, readers, it was worth the wait.”
—Booklist, starred review of Ashes
“A strong conclusion to a monumental tale of the American Revolution.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review of Ashes
“A gripping finish to an epic journey that speaks resoundingly to the human capacity to persevere.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review of Ashes
“A rich cast of characters, nonstop adventures, lively dialogue, vivid battlefield descriptions, budding romance, and an informative appendix are hallmarks of this excellent novel and this compelling, must-have historical fiction series.”
—School Library Journal, starred review of Ashes
Frequently Asked Questions
Wow – what an amazing question! I think Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. There are a number of flaws in it, notably Wilder’s profound racism towards Native Americans and African Americans. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t notice these things when I was nine years old. Back then, it was just a fascinating book that sparked my interest in American history.
Re-reading it as an adult, I saw the ugly, casual racism for what it was. That helped me reexamine everything I thought I knew about American history. 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.
All of this helped lead me to write my trilogy about the American Revolution: CHAINS, FORGE and ASHES (this last installment is almost done.)
I am proud to be an American. 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.
(from Laurie’s Goodreads Q&A)
Ashes is the final book in my Seeds of America trilogy, which looks at the American Revolution through the experiences of children held in slavery. I always feel awkward describing my work, so I’ll let School Library Journal do it; “A rich cast of characters, nonstop adventures, lively dialogue, vivid battlefield descriptions, budding romance, and an informative appendix are hallmarks of this excellent novel and this compelling, must-have historical fiction series.”