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    Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem
    Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem
    Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem
    Audiobook2 hours

    Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem

    Written by Rosalyn Schanzer

    Narrated by Jessica Almasy

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Award-winning author and illustrator Rosalyn Schanzer's book Witches! was named a School Library Journal Best Book and a Chicago Public Library Best of the Best. Witches! recounts in electrifying detail the true events of the 17th-century witch trials in Salem Village, Massachusetts. After two girls exhibit strange behavior, the colonial town's doctor concludes their symptoms are the result of witchcraft. Even today, the chilling events of this period remain one of the most disturbing passages of U.S. history.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateJun 15, 2012
    ISBN9781464048692
    Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem

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    Reviews for Witches

    4/5

    89 ratings12 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Truly eye opening to know that everything was hearsay and humans are that petty
    • 3/5
      A brief history of the girls who started the Salem witch panic.
    • 4/5
      This book is striking at first glance; the black-white-and-red scratchboard illustration on the cover presents the duality of the Salem Witch Trials, which pitted people against their communities by aligning them with the Devil. This book presents the compelling stories of the victims of accused witches, the accused witches, and the hysterical town residents that propelled the Salem Witch Trials to their infamous end. At the front of the book is a collection of portraits portraying a stylized face of each of the characters of the story, giving them personalities and providing contextual clues for readers who might have trouble remembering such an expansive cast. The most stunning feature, despite the humanistic and thrilling tale of the Salem Witch Trials, are the scratchboard illustrations found throughout the book. These illustrations are dramatic depictions of the themes that run throughout the book, portraying the division between community members, the various allusions to the Devil and contracts signed with him, and the violence and sadness of accusations that took peoples’ lives. The interplay between the primary source accounts and the stylistic illustrations creates a well-balanced story that conveys emotion and fact. Recommended for purchase. Ages 10 and up.
    • 4/5
      Did you know that accused witches were searched for warts "that could be used as teats to feed their evil animal familiars?" Too bad that and many of the other tell-tale signs of witches and non-witches were totally ignored during the Salem witch trials.In reading this, I realized just how little I really knew about the events in Salem. Schanzer gives us the blow by blow of what happened in Salem in this interesting read. Many of my questions went unanswered (what was fake and what was real? What were the motivations?) because the evidence and information simply does not exist. Schanzer briefly goes over a number of theories, which gave me a sense of what might have happened. (I'm dying to know!)And the scratchboard illustrations are FANTASTIC.
    • 3/5
      As the title suggests, “Witches” documents an “absolutely true tale of disaster in Salem.” Beginning with the initial witchcraft accusations in 1692, the book tells the story of the supernatural-fueled hysteria that swept over Salem, MA and its surrounding areas, resulting in the executions of twenty people.It’s hard to read the historical facts of the Salem Witch Trials and not feel infuriated. Conveniently, most of those convicted of practicing witchcraft were either social outcasts (ex: an Indian slave, a bedridden woman who no longer attended church, a beggar, the mother of a multi-racial son, etc.), or adversaries of powerful Puritan political or church leaders. As the story goes, what began as a few isolated accusations of witchcraft from several young girls became a regional witch hunt, which led to the imprisonment of over fifty people.Once the actual witch trials began, virtually zero physical evidence was brought forth to prompt the sentencing of those accused. Rather, the court (which lacked a single judge formally trained in law) relied on “spectral evidence” from the accusers, or hearsay accounts of an invisible world. During the trial, attendees (mostly young girls) writhed on the floor and claimed that they were being tormented in real time by the “witch” on the stand. According to the documents in the book, the spectacle was said to be very convincing. Years later, it was reported by at least one of the girls that their actions were falsified. Also, on multiple occasions, attendees were seen smuggling pins into the courtroom, which they used to draw blood and blame the “witch” on the stand for. In the end, despite the obviously corrupted trials, twenty people went to the gallows. Many of those who did not were bullied into confessing their guilt -- an act that caused them to lose their land and possessions and continue to suffer in prison. The author ends the book with possible explanations of what fueled the events: disease, post-traumatic stress, lies, attention seeking, political corruption, financial corruption, or even the supernatural. While the book closes on a “we’ll never know” note, it is clear from the author’s writing that she views the event as an absolute tragedy. I initially picked up “Witches” for two reasons, 1) because it was a Sibert Honor Book, and 2) I thought it might be an interesting companion piece to “The Scarlet Letter.” After reading the book, I do think it would align nicely with “The Scarlet Letter,” but also any discussion, lesson or unit (fictional, historical, or contemporary) that deals with the theme of injustice. The frustration I felt while reading this book is similar to one that I’ve felt many times before while reading literature, historical texts, and even the news (ex: To Kill A Mockingbird, The Civil Rights Movement, Trayvon Martin, etc.) It may be worthwhile to teach an entire unit on injustice and consider the ways in which events and stories relate. “Witches” could serve as an interesting examination of a particularly confusing time in American history.
    • 4/5
      The account of the Salem witch trials, what led up to them and the aftermath written for children. Schanzer manages to snag the reader's interest from the start with interesting tidbits and a tone that captures the hysteria of the time. She profiles both the accusers and the accused and uses primary source materials from the trials as well as other sources to give a vivid and accurate account of what happened. The artwork is done in stark black and white with a smattering of red accentuating the tone of the book. Overall it is a well written interesting account of the trials that shook New England, and a tale of what happens when common sense and justice is ignored.
    • 4/5
      An eye opening piece of non-fiction literature about the beginning of the Salem witch trials. The illustrations and true stories allow the reader to experience what life was like during the mid 1600's.
    • 3/5
      Lots of information. Who were the accusers, and what happend with them. Same with who were the victims and what happened to their families.

      Nice drawings. I did feel this book was meant for children. Such a sad story.
    • 4/5
      A great title for readers not yet ready to tackle Marc Aronson's more scholarly Witch-Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials.
    • 4/5
      this was darling. Maggie and I read together today in preparation of a project about the Salem witch trials. The black white drawings were amazing, reminiscent of woodcuts, and while the language wasn't as advanced as an adult novel, this held my interest until the end. Fantastic.
    • 4/5
      Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem is a remarkable book that highlights the chronicles of time and events through the Salem Witch Trials. Right from the very beginning, the cover grabs your attention. Stark lithographic pictures done in black and white with red accents added, the images pop out at the reader, captivating and enthralling. The author did quite a bit of research it would seem and used the lithographic images as that was in fact what would have been used in this time period explored. The facts and stories themselves are straight forward, easy to read and digest before the reader moves on eagerly to the next section, the next page turning before you realize it and soon the book is one and the information absorbed. A rather small book, it nonetheless is packed with stories that are both fun and frightful, a good survey of the topic at hand. I could see having this book as a part of a library either in the classroom or in the school library and would recommend it for students in middle school or above.
    • 5/5
      The invisible world surrounds us. It's everywhere. Things happen that are unseen. We can feel their presence but we can’t see that unknown entity that lurks in the shadows. Is it demons or witches that are causing the hot flashes or cold sweats that we occasionally feel? What about violent fits? Do you know anyone whose had any of those? If so, you can be sure that witches are nearby, casing spells upon you with a single touch.In the mid 1600's Puritans were experiencing all sorts of pain, visions, fits and bizarre contortions, to name a few. The Puritans felt the natural world had been infiltrated by the Invisible world. These fears of the witch created new laws that made witchcraft punishable by death. Three women who were accused of casting spells were placed on trial. Hordes of crowds gathered to watch and witness the occasion. Midwives and homeless beggars were the first to be tried.Schanzer takes readers on a trip back to early Salem where history set the stage for the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Bible thumpers wreaked havoc accusing everyone and anyone who was pointed out. So many were pointing a finger to save themselves from accusation. It was so out of control that the King of England sent Governor Phips, who then established a Court of Oyer and Terminer. The new trials had begun.Black, white and red scratch board illustrations will have readers flipping and examining the pages and reading all of the researched facts that created such mass hysteria and death.