Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
31st out of 49 books
—
16 voters
Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem
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
In the little colonial town of Salem Village, Massachusetts, two girls began to twitch, m...more
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
In the little colonial town of Salem Village, Massachusetts, two girls began to twitch, m...more
Hardcover, 144 pages
Published
September 13th 2011
by National Geographic Children's Books
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,024)
I really enjoyed reading this book, i knew it would be a great read as soon as i read the title. The author, Rosalyn Schanzer does an amazing job at telling the story about the great historical event that occured in Salem Massachusetts in the mid 1960's. About twenty people lost their lives and many families were hurt as the people of this small town began to point fingers and accuse each other of being witches and participating in witch craft. Friends began accusing friends, men and women accus...more
*Susan Hart
*Schanzer, R. (2011). Witches!: the absolutely true tale of disaster in Salem. Washington, D.C. : National Geographic Society.
*Informational
*Print
*Selected from awards listings
*ALA Notable Children's Book 2011, 2012Robert F. Sibert Honor Award, 2011 Society of Illustrators Gold Medal
* Witches: The absolutely true tale of disaster in Salem is a short little book with a big punch from the National Geographic Society, which examines the sordid Salem witch trials. Right from the beginning...more
*Schanzer, R. (2011). Witches!: the absolutely true tale of disaster in Salem. Washington, D.C. : National Geographic Society.
*Informational
*Selected from awards listings
*ALA Notable Children's Book 2011, 2012Robert F. Sibert Honor Award, 2011 Society of Illustrators Gold Medal
* Witches: The absolutely true tale of disaster in Salem is a short little book with a big punch from the National Geographic Society, which examines the sordid Salem witch trials. Right from the beginning...more
In 1692 in the village of Salem Massachusetts, two girls have fallen ill. Their bodies contort and they are speaking in a strange tongue. The diagnoses: Bewitched. The story of the Salem witch trials began with the accusation of three women and soon any and everyone was being accused. In the end, the witch hunts affected many, killing over a dozen and ruining the lives of countless others. One of the accused was sentenced to jail with her infant child in tow. The black, white and red artwork ad...more
Genre: Informational; Junior Book
Summary: A book packed with authentic information concerning the Salem With Trials which took place in the 1690's in Salem Massachusetts.
A. The information shared in the book is no doubt authentic with the many primary accounts and reputable interviewees that participated in the making of this book. However, I feel what really pulls the reader in is the layout of this book. From the front cover to the end pages, the reader feels like they are in for a treat.
B. E...more
Summary: A book packed with authentic information concerning the Salem With Trials which took place in the 1690's in Salem Massachusetts.
A. The information shared in the book is no doubt authentic with the many primary accounts and reputable interviewees that participated in the making of this book. However, I feel what really pulls the reader in is the layout of this book. From the front cover to the end pages, the reader feels like they are in for a treat.
B. E...more
(Young Adult & Sibert Award Winning)
This Sibert Award Winning books take a look at the Salem Witch Trials of the late 1600s. It begins with an account of the first two young women to show sign of being "bewitched". Their twitching, moaning and apparent "speaking in tongues" began a historically known phenomenon that would eventually claim over 20 lives in the small town of Salem, Massachusetts. This book follows the hysteria, paranoia, religious elements, political aspects and social implica...more
This Sibert Award Winning books take a look at the Salem Witch Trials of the late 1600s. It begins with an account of the first two young women to show sign of being "bewitched". Their twitching, moaning and apparent "speaking in tongues" began a historically known phenomenon that would eventually claim over 20 lives in the small town of Salem, Massachusetts. This book follows the hysteria, paranoia, religious elements, political aspects and social implica...more
The most striking feature of Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem is the black and white artwork that the author made using Ambersand Scratchboard. Reminiscent of 17th century woodcuts, the art presents a grim tone, with its red accents and depictions of devils, thorns and the tormented. The book’s small size, antique font and page layout that uses plenty of white space and red accents also harkens back to the time when, in 1692 in Salem Village, Massachusetts, neighbors turned...more
Wow!!! What an informational piece of text! It kind of spooked me!
I have heard of the Salem Witch Trials that took place during the 17th century, but never clearly understood it or how it came about. This text gave me a great insight to the events that occurred during this time.
Puritans were being falsely accused and condemned as witches. Trials were held with no real evidence. Much of the history that took place with these witch trials were solely based on gossip. Many were tortured, imprisone...more
I have heard of the Salem Witch Trials that took place during the 17th century, but never clearly understood it or how it came about. This text gave me a great insight to the events that occurred during this time.
Puritans were being falsely accused and condemned as witches. Trials were held with no real evidence. Much of the history that took place with these witch trials were solely based on gossip. Many were tortured, imprisone...more
1 like · like · see review
Sometimes, when you read a book with a lot of great reviews, awards and hoopla, it's easy to get let down. This book is one of those that just didn't quite live up to all the hype.
What I liked:
1) The topic. A true story about witches. Kids in the middle grades are still wonderfully curious, and this book will grab their attention.
2) A great cover, illustrations, and an explanation by the author how they were created. It was very nicely packaged.
3) The visual cast of characters in the front of th...more
What I liked:
1) The topic. A true story about witches. Kids in the middle grades are still wonderfully curious, and this book will grab their attention.
2) A great cover, illustrations, and an explanation by the author how they were created. It was very nicely packaged.
3) The visual cast of characters in the front of th...more
Type of book: historical fiction
Intended audience: 10 years/grade 5 and up
There are lots of books out there on the Witches of Salem, including a bizarre one that sets out to show how intentional a few of the girls were when they had their community members murdered. Witches: the Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem seems to have a more balanced portrayal. I've seen Arthur Miller's The Crucible at least three times, and have studied a little about the mass hysteria at the time, and so I am i...more
Intended audience: 10 years/grade 5 and up
There are lots of books out there on the Witches of Salem, including a bizarre one that sets out to show how intentional a few of the girls were when they had their community members murdered. Witches: the Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem seems to have a more balanced portrayal. I've seen Arthur Miller's The Crucible at least three times, and have studied a little about the mass hysteria at the time, and so I am i...more
After hearing about, reading, and then talking with a Sibert panel judge, I STILL have mixed feelings about this book.
Published by National Geographic, it is a dependable, reliable text about what happened in Salem, Massachusetts during the Salem Witch Trials. If approached as an informational text, this book is accessible and informational. If approaching it as a fun read (as I was) it is not… it is definitely more informational.
I picked this book up because I thought it would be a graphic nove...more
Published by National Geographic, it is a dependable, reliable text about what happened in Salem, Massachusetts during the Salem Witch Trials. If approached as an informational text, this book is accessible and informational. If approaching it as a fun read (as I was) it is not… it is definitely more informational.
I picked this book up because I thought it would be a graphic nove...more
I've been interested in witches, the Salem Witch Trials, and witch hunts ever since my high school class read and performed The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Consequently, I've read quite a bit on the subject and even delved into how witches were often burned during the Middle Ages out of some misguided paranoia and societal discomfort with women in leadership roles. Still, this small book is a wonderful introduction to the events that occurred in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Supported by her own...more
This was a fast read and very informative about the Salem Witch Trials. I think it could make a good companion for The Crucible--easier to read, probably, and solid background. I had a little trouble keeping track of all the people involved, although Schanzer tries to help with that possible confusion through front matter charts. The illustrations are really exquisite--and frighteningly eerie--adding to the mood of the book. Schanzer tries to find an answer to what was behind the witch trials an...more
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, visio...more
In the mid 1600's Puritans were experiencing all sorts of pain, visio...more
Todd Burleson
Sibert Honor Book Review
Witches! The Absolutely Tree Tale of Disaster in Salem
Written and Illustrated by Rosalyn Schanzer
This book caught my attention for several reasons. First, I thought that I knew a bit about the Salem Witch Trials. After reading the book jacket, I realized I did not know much and was intrigued to read more. For some reason, I thought the trials were much more widespread than they actually were. I thought thousands of individuals were executed for witchcraft whe...more
Sibert Honor Book Review
Witches! The Absolutely Tree Tale of Disaster in Salem
Written and Illustrated by Rosalyn Schanzer
This book caught my attention for several reasons. First, I thought that I knew a bit about the Salem Witch Trials. After reading the book jacket, I realized I did not know much and was intrigued to read more. For some reason, I thought the trials were much more widespread than they actually were. I thought thousands of individuals were executed for witchcraft whe...more
Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer is the 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.
Starting with illustrated lists of accused witches, and afflicted accusers and other witch hunters, Schanzer jumps right into the story, giving just enough background about the belief in the "invisibl...more
Starting with illustrated lists of accused witches, and afflicted accusers and other witch hunters, Schanzer jumps right into the story, giving just enough background about the belief in the "invisibl...more
I've always been fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials, and have watched several documentaries and films about it, but this book is the first piece of literature I've ever read about it and I'm glad. I've mentioned it a couple times in my reviews of other books, but I LOVE PRIMARY SOURCES! And this book is chock full of quotes from trial transcripts, letters and public documents and wouldn't you know, the bibliography has web links so I can look them up! This book is perfect for people (kids espe...more
While knowing how amazing this book was written I did not like the results of this topic. This shows a great example of what superstition can do if it gets out of hand. Now, the Puritans believed in the underworld and the devil which kind of explains why they also belive in 'witches'. But I don't believe in witches or the underworld. Well you can see in this book that friends and family were turning on each other accusing innocent people of being witches. The jails were even overcrowding and the...more
This book was really detailed piece of literature though in reading this book I found, it is definitely not for young readers as the book entails stories of how the Salem witch trials came into being and the morbid consequences for being found guilty. The book also tells about the way trials used to run and how discrimination and simple hearsay came into play. This read is a good book for older children in which you are trying to convey the story of a terrifying time in American History. It is a...more
For centuries people have been obsessed with the super natural world. The notion of things such as witches, werewolf’s, vampires, and all of the other things that go bump in the night…come together with the devil to create havoc on good Christian men and women. In the late 1600’s one of the most notorious events in history took place in the small Puritan community of Salem Village. In the non-fiction book Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem, written and illustrated by Rosalyn...more
Everyone thinks they know a little about the Salem Witch Trials that started in the 1690s, but there are so many details not covered in history class! This extremely well-designed book from National Geographic follows the events chronologically, and focuses on several of the accused and accusers to move the narrative along in a fashion that makes sense. While this reads almost like fiction (Schanzer does a great job at keeping things moving along by interspersing facts and anecdotes), it would a...more
This book has a beautiful design and incredible illustrations. Five stars for those. The text, though, I found strangely dry. I liked that it used a lot of primary source quotes, which gave a great flavor of life in a Puritan community (always with the salty language, those Puritans). But I thought it was missing much sense of narrative or sweeping hysteria. I think this is the first book I've read on the subject that didn't have the teenaged girl accusers as the primary focus. I don't know that...more
This book gave me a lot of information about the witch trials and I learned so much from it that I wouldn't have found using another source. The author, Rosalyn Schanzer gave me every detail I wanted and I never had questions to ask because she answered all of them. One of my favorite parts of this book was the pictures in it because they were extremely detailed and connected to the text well. Another part of this book that I liked was the end when she explained what happened to all the charact...more
Description: A nonfiction account of the Salem witch trials, written for grades 6-10.
Source: ALA
Writing style: Documentary, and incorporating primary source material from time to time. There are some accounts of torture and stories of supposed devil-worship that might bother some kids (or their parents).
Major ideas: The author speculates about what might have caused the witch hunts, but she does not go out on a limb to assert any radical theories. She tells the story chronologically and points o...more
Source: ALA
Writing style: Documentary, and incorporating primary source material from time to time. There are some accounts of torture and stories of supposed devil-worship that might bother some kids (or their parents).
Major ideas: The author speculates about what might have caused the witch hunts, but she does not go out on a limb to assert any radical theories. She tells the story chronologically and points o...more
In this illustrated history of the Salem Witch trials, Schanzer provides a concise and easy to understand history of an event which continues to fascinate high school students and others.
Schanzer suggests the youth who claimed to be tormented by witches may have been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, since all of them had been living on the frontier and had seen family and friends attacked and killed by Native Americans. Taking advantage of these accusations Schanzer points to at l...more
Schanzer suggests the youth who claimed to be tormented by witches may have been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, since all of them had been living on the frontier and had seen family and friends attacked and killed by Native Americans. Taking advantage of these accusations Schanzer points to at l...more
Nonfiction chapter book about the Salem witch trials. Well organized with the main characters laid out at the start and the articulation of the story clear - reads somewhat like a narrated play. Quotes from primary sources included as well (note at the end of the book notes slight changes to the quotes for readability ...).
Black, white, and red illustrations are bold and scattered throughout; author/illustrator info on how she made them included at the end of the book.
Interesting read. Schanze...more
Black, white, and red illustrations are bold and scattered throughout; author/illustrator info on how she made them included at the end of the book.
Interesting read. Schanze...more
In the interest of full disclosure, I spent a whole semester in a class titled "Magic, Witchcraft, and Science in the Early Modern World." I didn't pick up this book expecting to learn anything new, I was mostly just intrigued by the cover art and illustrations and thought it might offer an interesting approach to the Salem witch trials. I was pleasantly surprised by how well-organized the book is and how the author did a fairly decent job of keeping all of the "characters" from getting confusin...more
Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem tells the story of what happens to a small town in 1700s New England when two girls begin to twitch and speak in nonsense. Included in the story are the accusations of the girls (and others who claim to have been bewitched), reactions and defenses of those accused and the trials involved.
The author provides the story through primary sources that she quotes as well as interprets. The book transitions between providing the reader with backgro...more
The author provides the story through primary sources that she quotes as well as interprets. The book transitions between providing the reader with backgro...more
This book was about a bunch of victims of the Salem witch trials and how the government dealed with the “crimes” of the innocent people of that time. There was not one character that they were set o but there were a few main characters they had focused on. Some people that the author involved throughout the whole book were Bridget Bishop, Sarah Good, Rebecca Nurse and Sarah Wilds. They were accused by many different people and they had all said that they were being choked and beaten by these peo...more
This was an excellent summary of what happened there for teens/young adults. The cover is absolutely fantastic! While I personally learnt nothing particularly new on the subject, having read several books on the Salem witch hunt, it would be a wonderful introduction to the subject for kids. The ending is especially chilling where the author says something like we don't do hunts like this any more. Or do we? (I don't have the book in front of me so this is not a quote, just my memory of what the...more
1 like · like · see review
I usually lean towards Historical Fiction and Non-fiction so this book was right up my alley. Rosalyn Schanzer does an impeccable job of recounting the story of the Salem Witch trials in 1692 in which twenty people lost their lives and families torn as accusations run rampant in the village of townsfolk being witches and participating in witchcraft. The black and white sketch illustration enhances the story very well as it depicts the morally gripping truth that not all is black and white. The i...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
7 de Jun 23:39