The Salem Witch Trials: An Unsolved Mystery from History
Written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple
Narrated by Jessica Almasy
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
Jane Yolen
Jane has been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America and the Aesop of the twentieth century. She sets the highest standard for the industry, not only in the meaningful body of work she has created, but also in her support of fellow authors and artists. Her books range from the bestselling How Do Dinosaurs series to the Caldecott winning Owl Moon to popular novels such as The Devil’s Arithmetic, Snow in Summer, and The Young Merlin Trilogy, to award-winning books of poetry such as Grumbles from the Forest, and A Mirror to Nature. In all, she has written over 335 books (she’s lost count), won numerous awards (one even set her good coat on fire), and has been given six honorary doctorates in literature. For more information, please visit www.janeyolen.com.
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Reviews for The Salem Witch Trials
35 ratings5 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A little girl playing detective gives readers information about the Salem Witch Trials. Included are definitions of words and notes with facts from the historical event. At the end the narrator ask the readers their opinion. The narrator also lists the top five explanations to the girls acting the way they did. This book is cute and short but contains a lot of information. The author boxes off the story, puts notes on a note pad, and definition on bright boxes. This separates words from the illustrations, while included different kinds of information. I would read this to my class when learning about the witch trials. My students could play detective and discuss what they believe happened to the girls who were calling people witches.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In this non-fiction mystery the author uses a unique technique to capture audiences' attention. She writes the story from the viewpoint of a young girl trying to solve the mystery. The author writes the story on each page and at the bottom of each page is a notebook with the girl's notes. Also on the pages are words and their definitions. I think this was a very fascinating story. I really liked how the author presented the information and challenged readers to come up with their own theory. The illustrations in this book were very appropriate. The author also included a bibliography. I would read this to my class when talking about events that took place in the late 1600's.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I really enjoyed this book. When I was younger this was one of my favorite parts of history to learn about. I really liked how the book was told from the view of a young girl. I also really liked how it had a lot of vocabulary words and definitions throughout the story. I would love to use this book in connection with a social studies lesson. I think that students would really like it.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Told from the point of view of a young girl who is fascinated with history and solving mysteries, this book is particularly relevant to students who need encouragement to study history. The facts and vocabulary words are carefully laid out in a style that mimics a real-life researcher. It ends with the five different theories of what really happened. What do you think happened?
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Children's detective stories seem to be perpetually "in,” and The Salem Witch Trials: An Untold Mystery from History (as with others in this series) plays on that theme successfully. Without giving us a name, the author introduces us to the narrator, a young girl who is curious...a trait that every detective needs! This young lady isn't curious about just anything, she's particularly curious about her fathers file of mysteries that have never been solved..."histories mysteries." The narrator then goes on to detail her "process" for trying to figure out the given mystery...first she reads as much as she can about the incident, learning everything she can, and she keeps a notebook of the most important clues and information. Some of the books in this series include maps and timelines (though this one does not)! This particular "case" focuses on The Salem Witch Trials (its possible causes). With that bit out of the way, the book transforms into a fact filled narrative of the events, starting with the long cold winter of 1692, leading into the various events that lead up to the witch trials and ending with a summery of five of the most popular theories “what really happened.” This final section is done in the notebook style, and the narrator has included questions for the reader to answer, which if answered, will help the reader figure out which of the theories are most likely...at the very least, it's an excellent opportunity for a class project (dividing students up into groups and each exploring a given theory and presenting to the class, with discussion at the end on which of the theories are most likely...and maybe even encouraging students to come up with their own theories!). The story ends with the narrator saying she's really not sure WHICH theory is right...but she's got her own and now she hopes you (the reader) do too. Each two page spread (illustration done in subtle tones which emphasize the bleak New England winters and adds to the somber tone of the Puritan lifestyle) is given a narrative box and most include "post-it" style pink, yellow and orange boxes which define terms used in the narrative box and most include a cut out of a spiral notebook which is meant to be the narrator taking her notes...which provides additional information and/or perspective on the information given in the narrative box. I love the section on the theories...the way they are presented with questions that the reader should be able to answer directly out of the text and/or with minimal additional research. I really do think this would make an excellent group project for a classroom, or the jumping off point for a written report by a single student...or just interesting reading!! I'd say this book is idea for kids ages 4-10, as a real aloud to about age 6, older kids will enjoy reading this alone...the text is EASY...but the opportunity for exploring the theories and doing additional research is what I think makes it suitable for readers 8-10. I give it five stars and think it would make a fine addition to any classroom or school library. I love the format; it presents the necessary information (and definitions) on the page (without flipping back and forth to a glossary) in a way that doesn't detract from the narrative or the illustrations. There is a bibliography, but it's located in the front of the book, just before the title page, rather than in the back. Pick this up for your curious young reader, you won't be disappointed!