Witches! The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem
Author: Rosalyn Schanzer
Publisher: National Geographic Society
Copyright Date: 2011
Recommended Grade Range: 6-8
Awards:
- Society of Illustrators Gold Medal for Best Illustrated Children’s Book of 2011
- 2012 Robert F. Sibert Honor Award as one of the year’s 5 most distinguished informational books for children.
- ALA Notable Children’s Book
- School Library Journal Starred Review and Best Book of the Year
- NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book
- A Junior Library Guild Selection for Fall 2011
- NY Public Library’s 25 Best Nonfiction Titles of 2011
- A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book
- Fuse #8 List of 100 Magnificent Children’s Books of 2011
- Kid Lit Frenzy Top 5 Middle Grade Picks of 2011
- Selected for Inclusion in CA (Communication Arts) Magazine May/June 2012 Annual Illustration Issue
Summary
This nonfiction narrative provides a chilling account of the witch
trials in Salem. The author goes to
great length to explain that the Puritans believed in the Natural World and the
Invisible World and how their beliefs were rooted in the idea that these worlds
were both part of our reality. In
addition, she gives easy to understand explanation of the legal terms and ideas
that differentiate the two types of evidence—that coming from the physical
world and spectral evidence which is evidence that is from the spiritual world
that is only known in the mind of the witness.
These explanations along with her detailed analysis and account of the
financial and personal relationships between the accused and accusers give the
reader a lot to think about when trying to make sense of the tragedy that
occurred in Salem.
The book
provides detailed descriptions of the innocent men and women who were accused,
imprisoned and tortured, deprived of all their belongings, and many
executed. For example, one of the
accused was minister, George Burroughs who “most everybody liked and respected…with
a history of performing heroic deeds for his neighbors”. We are told that he was called “self-denying,
generous, and public spirited” and someone else wrote “he was an intelligent,
true-minded man; sincere, humble in spirit, devoted as a minister, and generous
as a citizen”. He “willingly ministered
to people of every faith”. (Schanzer, p.63).
Unfortunately, he had a history with the Putnam family and owed them for
funeral expenses for his wife that he could not pay because he had not received
his salary. Thomas Putnam’s daughter,
Ann, accused him of being a witch and he was eventually hung on spectral
evidence. The book provides all of the
political and personal relationships between the victims and accusers and
allows the reader to see how these events occurred.
The book
also provides interesting black and white stark illustrations, with an
occasional pop of red, which help to exemplify the desperate nature of the
situation. The illustration below shows
the confusion and despair of an accused witch as the young women accuse her.
This book
will appeal to middle school students because of the subject matter. However, in reading about the witch trials,
they will be exposed to not just the events of the trials themselves, but an
exploration of the beliefs of the Puritans and how fear and greed can warp
human nature and cause otherwise normal citizens to engage in acts which will
horrify the world for centuries to come.
Accompanying websites:
http://www.rosalynschanzer.com/witchesPage.html
: In addition to providing a summary and
listing rewards and reviews; this page provides links to a trailer and
classroom activities created by a learning consultant.
http://historyofmassachusetts.org/timeline-of-the-salem-witch-trials/
: Provides detailed timeline of events
from beginning to present relating to the Salem witch trials.
https://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/videos/45
: Short videos describing aspects of the
witch trials by the staff of the Salem Witch Museum.
Extension Activities:
- Read along with Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. Compare and Contrast.
- Have students come up with scenarios in modern life which could turn into a “witch hunt”.
- Discuss issues of justice. How can we be sure personal vendettas, greed, or other factors do not influence our justice system?
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