The following version of the novel was used to create this study guide: Anderson, Laurie Halse. Forge. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Aug. 2, 2011. Kindle.

Even though conditions in the Continental Army were dire in the winter camp of Valley Forge, former slave Curzon preferred them to his life as a slave. In the novel Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson, Curzon was lured away from his friends and forced to live as a slave again by his cruel owner, James Bellingham. Bellingham, however, does not count on the loyalty of Curzon’s friends. They found a way to sneak both Curzon and his friend Isabel out of Bellingham’s possession.

Even though Isabel sneaked Curzon out of Bridewell Prison, she left him on his own when she learned he did not plan to take her to find her sister, Ruth. While Curzon was wandering in the forest, looking for the road to Albany, he happened to get caught up in fighting between the Americans and the British. He saved the life of a young boy who turned out to be the nephew of a sergeant in the American army. Before he knew what was happening, Curzon was signing up to fight with the Patriots until the war was over.

Shortly after Curzon enlisted, his company began marching toward Valley Forge, the place where they were to set up camp for the winter. Curzon looked forward to good rations and sturdy shelter. However, when he and the other soldiers arrived at the camp they discovered they would have to build their own shelter. They had little to eat but firecake, made of flour and water, and their clothes and blankets were falling apart.

While conditions were bad in the camp, Curzon preferred them to what happened to him next. He was spotted among the troops by his former owner, Bellingham. Even though Bellingham promised Curzon his freedom when Curzon enlisted in the army earlier in place of Bellingham, he went back on his promise. Curzon soon learned that Bellingham had found and bought Isabel as well. Once Curzon convinced Isabel that he cared for her and did not intend to hurt her by not looking for Ruth, the two began making plans to run away. Curzon’s friends in the army helped with the escape, hiding the two in their ranks as they marched out of town to war.