The Salem Witch Trials: An Unsolved Mystery from History

Unsolved Mysteries from History

by Jane Yolen, Heidi E.Y. Stemple, Roger Roth (Illustrations)

In this spooky book from the nonfiction An Unsolved Mystery from History picture book series, tragedy strikes Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692 as the community is torn apart by accusations of witchcraft.

When a group of girls came down with a horrible, mysterious bout of illness, they pointed the finger at people in their community they claimed were witches. Soon, the whole town was convinced they were in danger from supernatural forces. Today, we have details about the accusations, trials, and those who lost their lives, but the question What caused the mass hysteria?

Become a detective, study the clues, and see if you can help solve this chilling mystery from history!

Genres: History, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Witches, American History, Historical

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Jane Yolen was a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who wrote more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lived in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty great beginners' book about a dark and painful incident in American history. The illustrations are beautiful and a big reason (along with subject matter) why I chose to read this book. The incident is laid out in plain facts that read rather poetically. In the end the reader is given all the options and invited to draw their own conclusions. Really well done.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our literacy coach, Cris Tovani, has advised an ELA teacher to use this in her classroom with 10th graders. Its intended audience is pretty young: the note at the front is a kid telling other kids, "When I group up, I want to be a detective, just like my dad." I think high school teachers maybe should have their kids skip this page? Also, the illustrations are very juvenile.

However, it's a very basic telling of the facts of the trials as they are known, with commentary on notecards on the bottom from the student who is trying to "solve the mystery" of what really happened. It is very clear, very basic, and every possible word that a student may not know is defined very concisely somewhere on the page; this is very accessible.

It ends with the top 5 theories with evidence for each, which I like! However, I'd not have chosen to use this with a regular 10th grade classroom; maybe a small group of students who really, really struggle with reading, but it IS a bit insulting if they read that first page and realize that it's very clearly aimed at children. I'd say it's great for grades 4-6 or students who need the information and need to read but who are at a very low reading level.

[EmberJenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful picture book explains the history behind the Salem witch trials for the younger set without gruesome details (although death is mentioned). It's the only book I've found for younger students on this subject that is age-appropriate (in my opinion). I also like the mystery aspect (the end of the book gives the possible known reasons why the Salem witch activities occurred like ergot poisoning, girls getting attention, etc. and leaves it up to the reader to decide which reasons are the most likely).

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best thing about this picture book (and others in the Unsolved Mystery from History series by Yolen and Stemple) is that it presents the facts and encourages the reader to decide for themselves what really happened. At the back five different theories are presented, along with questions to ask about each one to narrow down how likely it might be. This is an excellent book for teaching critical thinking and history analysis in schools.

[Maughn Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this "Unsolved Mystery from History" picture book in the bookcase containing most of Jane Yolen's books in the Jane Yolen cabin at the Boyds Mills (formerly Highlights Foundation) Summer Camp. The artwork is compelling and the text relates the events with good cultural and political historical detail. The book ends with a summary of the five most common theories that explain the event and invites young readers to think about it for themselves--a wonderful approach to history!

[Jamie Waggles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, I know it’s a young reader book but it’s a super quick read to get an understanding of Salem witch trials. It’s also great to read together with a young reader and then dive deeper into discussion

[Camilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun presentation- will encourage young people to wonder/think.

[Jennifer Souers Chevraux · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great primer for kids, which introduces both the history and puritanical context for the hysteria of 1692 and the human toll it took on the colonial community.

[Dodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a a very basic book for kids to teach about the witch hunts.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as an audiobook, loved it, and now I'm going to hunt down all the others in this series on audiobook and BINGE!

[Elizabeth Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to introduce the Salem witch trials to young learners.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of notes and facts along with great story-telling.

[September · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun. Liked the mystery perspective that is put on the case. Gave me more theories and ideas

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable retelling of the Salem Witch Trials from the perspective of a young girl in the current era who wants to become a detective. Gorgeously illustrated.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone has heard of the infamous Salem Witch trials but no one know exactly why the events were able to unfold the way they did or how twenty people were sentenced to death for witchcraft. It’s one of the great unsolved mysteries from history that Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple are bringing to the attention of a new generation of detectives. An intriguing read that will surely lead to fascinating discussions and varied opinions. Were the girls really telling the truth? Lying so they could receive attention? Playing a scare game they were unable to stop? Suffering from a mental illness? Or were they put up to do it to steal land from the accused?? Personally I feel the girls were excited about the attention they received without realizing what horrors their actions would bring.

[Esme · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Salem Witch Trials ist ein Teil der Reihe Unsolved Mysteries from History der mehrfach ausgezeichneten Kinderbuchautorin Jane Yolen und ihrer Tochter. Das Buch ist aufgebaut wie eine Detektivgeschichte. Ein Mädchen, Tochter eines Detektivs, liest über ungelöste und rätselhafte geschichtliche Ereignisse und stellt diese in einer Zusammenfassung vor.

Auf jeder Doppelseite ist eine Pinselzeichnung von Roger Roth, in einem gelben Kasten stehen die Tatsachen, in einem anderen in Form eines Notizblock zusätzliche Informationen. In bunten kleinen Kästchen sind Erklärungen von Wörtern, mit denen Kinder vielleicht noch nicht vertraut sind. Auf den vorletzten beiden Seiten werden fünf Theorien über die Ursachen der Hexenprozesse von Salem aufgeführt und anhand von Fragen werden die Kinder dazu angehalten, sich selbst Gedanken zu machen oder auch eine eigene Theorie zu entwickeln.

Die Darstellung ist neutral, faktenorientiert. Außerdem ist vorn eine Liste der verwendeten Quellen in Buchform oder Internetseiten beigefügt. Ein super gemachtes Kinderbuch für 8- bis 10-jährige Leser.

[LibraryCin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This is a picture book for kids (it says ages 6-9) that explains what happened in Salem, Mass. in 1692. It’s actually told from the point of view of a modern day girl trying to solve why it happened, looking at clues like a detective would.

I’m impressed. The story was told very well (of course, simplified for kids), and there were little “sticky notes” to explain slightly more difficult words. The illustrations in the book are amazing, they really helped bring the story to life, I thought. At the end, there is a summary of various theories as to why it happened. For each theory, there are questions for discussion. It seems like a good book for kids to learn what happened and to discuss it with their parents or teacher. 3.5 stars for the story, and an extra .25 star for the illustrations.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the way this was presented, especially in light of the intended audience. The known facts of the case were laid out, along with useful context and the leading theories of what really happened, and the reader was invited to come to their own conclusion. The narrator (presented as a detective's child who is interested in mysteries as well and did the presented research) also offers some questions to help the reader evaluate each of the theories and their own thoughts on them. I would potentially be interested in using books like this in teaching my child in the future how to collect evidence and weigh the pieces with and against one another to come to a reasoned conclusion. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised with this book!

[Holly Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always loved reading about the Salem Witch Trials. My family and I visited Salem several years ago, and I loved hearing the stories and seeing the sites. The town still has a sense of mystery and tragedy. This story is told from the point of view of a girl who wants to be a detective and is trying to solve the mysteries of the trials. She invites the reader to make his/her own conclusion after the facts and theories have been presented. Kids would really enjoy this book. It could be part of a bigger unit on unsolved mysteries of the past.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introductory book for children first learning about the trials, geared less towards being a history lesson and more towards being an exercise in critical thinking and fact gathering/checking. Yolen writes in her usual clear and precise manner, and bypasses the violence of the trials (though she does reference it) to focus more on motivations and context of how something like this could have happened. Her summation of the theories behind the incident are excellent and can be useful for adults trying to wrap their heads around what happened too.

[Denise Forrest · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very basic story of the Salem Witch Trials, presented in the form of a detective story. At the end, five different scenarios are described and the reader is asked to decide which option is most likely. I will use it with my Y5 class as part of our project on witches. I liked the fact boxes and the glossary which was dotted throughout the text. I imagine we will be able to get a good debate going.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really nice series. Incorporating narrative with factual information it presents an overview and then several theories about what really happened. It is very engaging for kids and a perfect level for 5th graders. What could it have been like for the townspeople of Salem Village in 1692---absolutely horrible!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series. It tends to present the facts and then lets kids come up with a possible solution on their own. It also has encouraged my children to look at things that have happened historically and realize that there may not be one right interpretation of history. History is not absolute.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1402

The mystery of the Salem Witch Trials is one that has haunted the United States for over 3oo years now and is one that students love to read about (and I do, too!). Most of my thoughts about this book are about how awesome this book is for the classroom. The Yolens seemed to have written it specifically for teachers to use.

[Nanci · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is much shorter than I thought it would be. It doesn't really solve the mystery, it just gives you facts and theories and then lets you try to figure out what you think. I was a little disappointed. I thought it would give me more and provide some answers. It is a children's book so it provides ideas children might not have so I can't be too disappointed, I guess.

[Noninuna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ever want to be a detective but didn't get a chance? Well, this book is a guide kinda book that in a way helps to tell the story of the mystery and at the same time point out the clues and provide a perspective in the investigation.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good look at the witch trials. Nicely presented and fit for children.

[Cecilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A juvenile book that covers the highlights of this sad time in early US history

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m impressed. The story was told very well in that it was simplified for kids. The illustrations in book really make the story. It seems like a good book for kids to learn what happened and to discuss it with their parents or teachers.