Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem
Product ID: 1375396
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Tackling the same twisted subject as Stacy Schiff's much-lauded book The Witches: Salem, 1692, this Sibert Honor book for young readers features unique scratchboard illustrations, chilling primary source material, and powerful narrative to tell the true tale. In the little colonial town of Salem Village, Massachusetts, two girls began to twitch, mumble, and contort their bodies into strange shapes. The doctor tried every remedy, but nothing cured the young Puritans. He grimly announced the dire diagnosis: the girls were bewitched! And then the accusations began. The riveting, true story of the victims, accused witches, crooked officials, and mass hysteria that turned a mysterious illness affecting two children into a witch hunt that took over a dozen people’s lives and ruined hundreds more unfolds in chilling, novelistic detail—complete with stylized black-white-and-red scratchboard illustrations of young girls having wild fits in the courtroom, witches flying overhead, and the Devil and his servants terrorizing the Puritans— in this young adult book by award-winning author and illustrator Rosalyn Schanzer. Taught in middle and high schools around the U.S., the 17th-century saga remains hauntingly resonant as people struggle even today with the urgent need to find someone to blame for their misfortunes. Witches! has been honored with many prestigious awards, including:. Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor Book 2012 Notable Children's Books—ALSC NCSS—Notable Social Studies Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 2012 School Library Journal Best Books of 2011 SLJ’s 100 Magnificent Children’s Books of 2011 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2011 Review: Rough but very true and well done. - I have no idea why so many reviewers are tagging this as fiction. This is not fiction folks this is true and hard facts, the witch trials happened and it was a very horrible time in our history, hopefully never to be repeated. With that being said I must admit, knowing that this a true event that actually happened to these actual people that lived...........it was rough and brought out many emotions from my home-schooled daughter. I never hide the truth from her though so history, as bloody and disturbing as it sometimes is, must be explored so as to not repeat. This book has brought on more research and in depth conversations on the topic then would have been possible if I had just presented to her a timeline of glossed over facts as is so often done. All in all, though rough, I would say this does a very good job of chronicling a very tragic period in our country's early history. Review: Schanzer offers a bewitching account of the Salem Tragedy, great for kids of all ages (but esp 4th-7th grade). - What a great book for kids! Age appropriate, but well written and smart! A great addition to any child's library. A rare treat--a serious discussion of a historical tragedy, presented in an accurate, entertaining narrative. Books like this make learning fun, and keep kids reading. I highly suggest it, and Ms. Schanzer's other works as well. She does US history like no other!
| Best Sellers Rank | #113,669 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #2 in Teen & Young Adult United States State & Local History #8 in Teen & Young Adult United States Colonial & Revolutionary Periods History #24 in Teen & Young Adult Historical Biographies |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 433 Reviews |
A**Y
Rough but very true and well done.
I have no idea why so many reviewers are tagging this as fiction. This is not fiction folks this is true and hard facts, the witch trials happened and it was a very horrible time in our history, hopefully never to be repeated. With that being said I must admit, knowing that this a true event that actually happened to these actual people that lived...........it was rough and brought out many emotions from my home-schooled daughter. I never hide the truth from her though so history, as bloody and disturbing as it sometimes is, must be explored so as to not repeat. This book has brought on more research and in depth conversations on the topic then would have been possible if I had just presented to her a timeline of glossed over facts as is so often done. All in all, though rough, I would say this does a very good job of chronicling a very tragic period in our country's early history.
K**N
Schanzer offers a bewitching account of the Salem Tragedy, great for kids of all ages (but esp 4th-7th grade).
What a great book for kids! Age appropriate, but well written and smart! A great addition to any child's library. A rare treat--a serious discussion of a historical tragedy, presented in an accurate, entertaining narrative. Books like this make learning fun, and keep kids reading. I highly suggest it, and Ms. Schanzer's other works as well. She does US history like no other!
Y**T
Short & accessable introduction to Salem Witch Trials
I think Witches! is a perfect introduction to this dark moment in U.S. history. It's well-paced and has a lot of interesting details. I especially like how Schanzer wove excerpts from the actual trials throughout the story, and the black and white illustrations add a fun touch. Read my full review @ [...]
S**W
Amazing and Heartfelt
Great use of information, was tied together very well and never strayed away from the story. Seemed factual and was very educating. Pulled me in as a reader and would love more books from Rosalyn Schanzer. I would recommend reading if you are interested in some real non-fiction stories. 5/5.
E**E
Salem Summary
Great book for the purpose, but the reading level is higher than originally thought. I got it for a college-level class in elementary education. Overall, the new story perspective is great for middle school readers.
C**S
Excellent Book
I actually bought this as one of many books to research the Salem Witch Trials for my latest novel. It states it's written for kids, but I find the writing not only intelligent but great for adults. It's a wonderful book with fun pictures.
F**R
Borrowed from library, liked it so much that I bought my own copy
Three years ago, I borrowed this book from my local library. I was engrossed by this short account of the Salem witch trials. I was also impressed by Schanzer's art. I received the copy of the book I purchased yesterday; I'm happy to report that the illustrations are even more impressive than I had remembered.
T**A
Not bad
It was kind of boring but yet interesting I don't want to spoil it but it has some odd twists
L**J
So good
Love this book. Recommend
F**O
Buen libro
Es un libro infantil que te narra la vida en Salem cuando se dió la cacería de brujas y como las identificaban, las ilustraciones y diseño editorial se me hace hermoso
G**D
información e ilustraciones interesantes
la entrega fue bastante rápida y en buen estado el producto. Las ilustraciones de este libro son muy buenas y complementan muy bien la información brindada. Es interesante cómo relatan lo sucedido durante la cacería de brujas en Salem y cómo estos seres fantásticos que son las brujas, surgen de un hecho real que muestra las deficiencias que tenemos como sociedad.
L**Z
Excelentes ilustraciones
Excelentes ilustraciones y detalles en libro, definitivamente muy buena compra y opción para saber acerca de las supuestas brujas de Salem.
R**L
EXCELENTE
Es pequeño pero un excelente libro 📚
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