I had to read this for school, and did NOT like it!

This book was great! I loved it. It was so realistic for that time period. Like, you felt you were really there with Isabel. The book really illustrated in my mind what is was like back then and it made me really want the next book.

This was a great book but there could have been a better ending.

After reading Fever, 1783 by Anderson I was excited to read another book done in the same fashion. The aforementioned title made me excited about historical fiction and my students thoroughly enjoyed the read as well. However, this was a difficult book to complete due to the dry plot. It seemed more focused on the enormous amount of research Anderson obviously completed to craft a historically sound fictional book. Despite the lackluster plot, the story is a noteworthy one that needs to be shared (just in a more plot-driven fashion). I found the debate among the slaves for refraining or joining the War a dynamic one that has great merit for either argument. When the characters have a dialogue about whether all men are created equal and have the right to pursue happiness, I valued how Anderson conquered the challenge slaves would have with wanted to believe they too could be included in that notion. When Isabel gets inspired to finally leave her cruel mistress, it's ironic that Thomas Paine's Common Sense motivated her to find her River Jordan since his intended audience was likely not slaves. In a nutshell, Isabel is forced into slavery by a Loyalist family that doesn't even value the life of the elderly mother-in-law, after she and her younger sister have been promised their freedom by their former owners. Isabel suffers an identity crisis after being branded like cattle once she learns her owner has sold her 5-year-old sister. Amidst the height of the Revolutionary War, she often shifts her efforts between the Rebels and the Loyalists depending on which side suits her present needs. Again it is a worthwhile story, but I find it difficult to believe that a young reader under the age of 15 would read this book from cover to cover without heavy encouragement and assistance from a book club group or adult's guidance.

Very very good book!!! worthwhile read. Viewpoints of the author can be a little deceived though. Otherwise it is very good and is full of the lives of many slaves in the past.

I preread all novels that my daughter would like to read. That being said I truly find that this novel is a great find for young girls all over the world. As a mother you want the very best for your children and you hope that you can truly inspire them to become great adults. This book has helped me show my daughter that we are very blessed to be born free and that there is a whole lot of young girls in the world that do not and did not have the same opportunities that she does. I am very excited that she has become excited about this book and we are searching for the next part of the series.

I thought this book was excellent. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. I thought it was brutal and touching and even hopeful despite the truly bleak situations the heroine found herself in. I do, however, have a couple critiques. Number one, the main theme (of seeds) was underdeveloped. It seemed like an afterthought to the plot so that they could put seeds in the title. I found that quite weak. Also, while she did try to show the flaws of both the British and the Americans, she seemed to vilify the British more than the Patriots. I don't think it was a coincidence that her truly evil owners are loyalists. She ignored the way the loyalists were persecuted (even tarred and feathered) and forced out of their homes- not to mention that the British eliminated slavery before the Americans did. Oh well, I guess I'm just as biased as she is. Rant over. A very good novel just the same.

I'm surprised I didn't like this book more than I did. Unfortunately I did not find the main character very believable.