This young adult nonfiction novel is a history about the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The book gives readers background information on the main players in the witch trials without overwhelming the reader with information. The book spans the entire witch trials without going into too much detail and also informs readers of what happened to various people involved with the witch trials after the trials ended. In no way does this romanticize or sensationalize the witch trials, which is refreshing.
I am very interested in the Salem Witch Trials, especially after interning in Salem, and thought this book would be a great way to get reacquainted with the topic I was once so familiar with. One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the accessibility, meaning that I felt always felt like I had a good grasp on the information I was reading about. This book was very informative, which I liked, without sounding too much like a textbook.
National Geographic does a great job with this book because it provides important information, such as key players in the Witch Trials and background on Puritan practices, without overwhelming the young adult reader. Definitions of tricky terms and clarification or more in-depth information are included in the back of the book. I also enjoyed this book because it was engaging by quickly moving through the tragedy that was the Salem Witch Trials. Young adults who have an interest in American history or, perhaps, are interested in tragedies (example: the sinking of the Titanic or the Holocaust) will find this book to be intriguing and informative. Advanced readers, however, may feel that the text is too juvenile for them or does not go into enough depth. This book is a good introduction to the Witch Trials and may open the door for further reading and exploration into this historical event.
No comments:
Post a Comment