The Salem Witch Trials

Tracey Boraas

This is a book for young readers about one of the darkest times in American history. It sticks straightly to the facts of the matter. It talks about how rough a life people led in that time, and how they still feared attack by Native Americans. They also talk a little about the Puritan religion. These things are brought up, but are not actually stated as causes of the hysteria of the trials.

The book notes how people tended to change their stories so they could get set free. It connects the trials to what happened in Europe at the time, and says that some 100,000 people died from the witch-hunts that were held there. (This is a fairly reasonable number, as the other sources I have consulted had the number ranging from a low of 25,000 to a high of 9 million.)

The methods of execution are discussed, along with what brought about the end of the trials. (Never accuse the leading politco's wife of witchcraft.)

The book also includes a timeline, other reading suggestions, and related Internet sites.

I think it's a pretty good book for the age it's aimed at.