44 pages • 1 hour read
Laurie Halse AndersonA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
In Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson, Isabel Gardener and Curzon Smith, two black teenagers who escaped slavery during the American Revolution, search for Isabel's sister Ruth while facing multiple hardships. Once they find Ruth, she initially rejects Isabel, but they eventually reunite and navigate their complex relationships and struggles against the backdrop of the war.
Laurie Halse Anderson's Ashes is widely praised for its historical accuracy, compelling characters, and vivid depiction of the Revolutionary War. However, some critics suggest that the pacing is uneven, with certain sections feeling slower than others. Nonetheless, Anderson's ability to weave an engaging narrative with rich historical detail is highly valued by readers.
A reader who would enjoy Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson is likely a young adult or historical fiction enthusiast, captivated by strong, character-driven narratives set during pivotal moments in history. Fans of Ann Rinaldi’s Numbering All the Bones or Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars will find Ashes equally compelling.
Lexile Level
820LHistorical Fiction
Children's Literature
Realistic Fiction
Colonial America
American Revolution
Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Military / War
History: World