Salem Witch Trials (1692)
If you enjoy this novel....
![Picture](/uploads/1/8/8/6/18868538/503361279.jpeg?261)
Witch Child by Celia Reese
Mary's grandmother was hanged in 17th century England for witchcraft. Considered guilty by association, she escapes England on ship by joining a group of Puritans headed for a settlement in Massachusetts. Coming to the new world, old accusations return.
Awards: Borders Original Voices Award
Reviews: ""I am Mary. I am a witch." Thus begins the journal of Mary Newbury, writing in the spring of 1659 as she watches her beloved grandmother being tortured and hung as a witch in her English village. Before the crowd can turn on Mary, she is whisked away and placed on a ship headed for America. Although Mary finds a new "family" and friends who understand and believe in her, her new surroundings are not a safe harbor. Witches are blamed for every death, every poor harvest, every strange phenomenon, and the lovely, aloof young Mary who finds solace in the forest and her few friends is immediately suspect. The terrifying, insidious climate of fear and blame is palpable in this work of historical fiction. The journal format is so convincing that teens may believe that Mary actually existed, and the story opens the way to ponder such issues as the destructive nature of fear and the power of a mob. -Frances Bradburn (Booklist, Oct. 15, 2001 (Vol. 98, No. 4))
Mary's grandmother was hanged in 17th century England for witchcraft. Considered guilty by association, she escapes England on ship by joining a group of Puritans headed for a settlement in Massachusetts. Coming to the new world, old accusations return.
Awards: Borders Original Voices Award
Reviews: ""I am Mary. I am a witch." Thus begins the journal of Mary Newbury, writing in the spring of 1659 as she watches her beloved grandmother being tortured and hung as a witch in her English village. Before the crowd can turn on Mary, she is whisked away and placed on a ship headed for America. Although Mary finds a new "family" and friends who understand and believe in her, her new surroundings are not a safe harbor. Witches are blamed for every death, every poor harvest, every strange phenomenon, and the lovely, aloof young Mary who finds solace in the forest and her few friends is immediately suspect. The terrifying, insidious climate of fear and blame is palpable in this work of historical fiction. The journal format is so convincing that teens may believe that Mary actually existed, and the story opens the way to ponder such issues as the destructive nature of fear and the power of a mob. -Frances Bradburn (Booklist, Oct. 15, 2001 (Vol. 98, No. 4))
Then find out what really happened with....
![Picture](/uploads/1/8/8/6/18868538/105637049.jpg?269)
Witches! The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer
This wonderfully illustrated book tells the true stories of people who were accused, tried, and punished for the suspicion that they were witches in Puritan Massachusetts.
Awards: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
Society of Illustrators Original Art Award
Reviews: "If you’re looking for a starting point to delve into the tragedy of the Salem witch hunts, you can’t ask for more than a book that offers up a clear and concise account of the events leading up to and following the trials, provides a host of notes, sources, and further reading, all while maintaining the effortless tone of a seasoned storyteller and accompanied by eye-catching artwork that evokes the menacing terror of the times. Schanzer’s latest contribution to the nonfiction field is just that book, and the author easily navigates a large cast of characters and a sea of misinformation as she lays out a straightforward, chronological retelling of the events that focuses squarely on the people who lived it and relies heavily on direct quotes from primary sources." -Kate Quealy-Gainer (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's December 2011 (Vol. 65, No. 4))
This wonderfully illustrated book tells the true stories of people who were accused, tried, and punished for the suspicion that they were witches in Puritan Massachusetts.
Awards: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
Society of Illustrators Original Art Award
Reviews: "If you’re looking for a starting point to delve into the tragedy of the Salem witch hunts, you can’t ask for more than a book that offers up a clear and concise account of the events leading up to and following the trials, provides a host of notes, sources, and further reading, all while maintaining the effortless tone of a seasoned storyteller and accompanied by eye-catching artwork that evokes the menacing terror of the times. Schanzer’s latest contribution to the nonfiction field is just that book, and the author easily navigates a large cast of characters and a sea of misinformation as she lays out a straightforward, chronological retelling of the events that focuses squarely on the people who lived it and relies heavily on direct quotes from primary sources." -Kate Quealy-Gainer (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's December 2011 (Vol. 65, No. 4))
More Information....
Salem Witch Museum- This entire website has interesting information about the Salem Witch Trials. This link shows a map of the different locations where witchcraft hysteria took place. http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/sites/index.php
Salem Witch Trials: The World behind the Hysteria - Website from the Discovery channel that gives background information about the lives of the puritans at the times of the trials. http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/salemwitchtrials/
17th Century Documents: This website shows the actual court documents from the Witch Trials from various archives. http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/17docs.html
Salem Witch Trial Documentary: Documentary on YouTube from History.com for the History Channel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dA4LIqifc
Salem Witch Trials: The World behind the Hysteria - Website from the Discovery channel that gives background information about the lives of the puritans at the times of the trials. http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/salemwitchtrials/
17th Century Documents: This website shows the actual court documents from the Witch Trials from various archives. http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/17docs.html
Salem Witch Trial Documentary: Documentary on YouTube from History.com for the History Channel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dA4LIqifc