It Happened in Salem

by Jonah Winter, Brad Holland (Illustrator)

Overview

“It could happen anywhere, at any time.” The chillingly familiar history of the infamous Salem witch trials is here brought into modern context, showing how bias and blame have worked in tandem throughout history, to disastrous effect. As the townspeople become increasingly fueled by suspicion, the accused become the accusers, naming names to save themselves. Could something like this still occur today? Of course. But it’s up to all of us to stop it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781568463902
Publisher:	The Creative Company
Publication date:	08/13/2024
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	512,058
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.65(h) x 0.02(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Jonah Winter is the award-winning author of more than 40 nonfiction picture books that promote environmental awareness and social and racial justice. Among them are Banned Book, Here Comes the Garbage Barge!; Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of R.B.G. vs. Inequality; My Name is James Madison Hemings; Barack; and Lillian's Right to Vote, a Jane Addams Children's Book Award recipient and Kirkus Prize finalist

Editorial Reviews

"Thoughtful in word, picture, and perspective it unites US history and personal feelings..." —Igniting Writing

"A justifiably creepy vibe and a second-person 'you' aimed right at readers. Cinematic spreads deliver a lesson and possibly nightmares. Provocative and essential." —School Library Journal (Best Elementary Nonfiction 2024)

"Provides an accessible introduction to the reasons behind the witchcraft trials." —Children's Literature

"A powerful reminder of the madness of crowds and a sobering call to personal account." —The Wall Street Journal

"As an important work in combating mob mentality and misinformation, this is a good purchase for libraries to connect historical events to today's current issues." —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

From the Publisher

★ 08/01/2024

Gr 4 Up—Winter's book offers a blunt and eerily modern take on the events and consequences of the infamous Salem Witch Trials, and it will make readers think twice about spreading rumors. Readers are immediately warned, in a riveting second-person narration, how pointing blame on someone else might feel safe to do when others are acting the same way, but it starts a domino effect of ruining the reputation of everyone in the vicinity: "If you're one of the finger-pointers, you won't get those fingers pointed at you, or so you think." The simple, contemporary style is free of outdated and confusing terms, and Winter's text is quick to point out that those who create and share lies can easily destroy another person's life as they did in Salem. Holland's illustrations are done in a gorgeous classical painting style to starkly depict the deadly VERDICTs carried out on innocent victims. While the faces of the victims are not displayed, the images, such as three woman dangling after being hanged, can be provocative in a book intended for children. The author's note contains more context about the details of the Salem Witch Trials, including a more recent update on how the victims are memorialized. VERDICT As an important work in combating mob mentality and misinformation, this is a good purchase for libraries to connect historical events to today's current issues.—Lindsey Morrison

School Library Journal