Witch-Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials

by Marc Aronson

Book Overview

Salem, Massachusetts, 1692. In a plain meetinghouse a woman stands before her judges. The accusers, girls and young women, are fervent and overexcited. The accused is a poor, unpopular woman who had her first child before she was married. As the trial proceeds the girls begin to wail, tear their clothing, and scream that the woman is hurting them. Some of them expose wounds to the horrified onlookers, holding out the pins that have stabbed them --...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416903151
• ISBN13: 9781416903154
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

An honest look at the subject

If you want to only read one book on the Salem Witch Trials this is the book for you. the book is addressed to teens so its a quick and easy read. this book is a very factual look at a very troubbling and mysteriuos time. there are alot of unawnsered questions that many historians guess at or write about their own personal judgements. the cool thing about this book is that it presents the facts and the theories in a questioning way saying this could have happened this way, etc. it leaves room for the reader to decided for themselves what they want to believe. an excellent book on the subject.

Awesome Nonfiction!

I know I'm just a kid of twelve, but I have always been interested in the Salem Witch Trials. I found this book at the store one day and it caught my eye. The next day I read it all day. It is the best nonfiction book I have ever read!

Wonderful! A must read!!

I work at a local library and while checking in some new books I discovered this wonderful read, "Witch Hunt." Aronson provided his readers with new speculations about the Salem Witch Trials instead of giving his own opinion. He mainly asks questions to provoke the reader to also questions about their once believed ideas of what "really happened." Unlike some narratives about the witch trials, Aronson clearly keeps the reader entertained and quickly turning the pages. This narrative is a fast read and provides insight on sifting through the facts and myths of what actually happened in 1692.

Very interesting and thought provoking read

I picked this book out of pure curiosity for I have visited Salem, Mass. before and was interested in learning more. I just finished reading it, and I thought it was wonderful. "Witch Hunt" is extremely indepth and detailed account of speculations about the Salem witch trials in 1692. It is very factual, and allows the reader to come to their own conclusions about what they think happened while it discusses popular viewpoints. Not only does this book broaden your knowledge on the topic, but it draws comparisons to the rebellious 1960s and the aftershocks of September 11, 2001. It includes pictures, and quotes from surviving documents from the time. Very, very good.

This is a must for both high school and public libraries.

Any mention of witches and/or witchcraft, and most teenagers will zero in to see what it's all about. This new and carefully researched book on the Salem witch trails will disappoint neither teens nor adults. Marc Aronson has laid out his material in an easy-to-follow format, dividing the chapters by timeline.Before the introductory pages, "Note to the Reader" explains that research still does not give us a final answer surrounding the events in 1692 Salem. Aronson asks the reader, aiming his narrative at a teen audience, to think about what might have made the accusers act as they did. After all, he points out, "Many of the accusers were teenagers." He also notes some of the discrepancies, such as the fact that the slave known as Tituba was not black but more likely an Indian. His purpose here is to show that the smallest matters can be crucial in uncovering truth, especially since so much fantasy has surrounded the Salem witch trials.THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller is examined, as the author spends time building the case of Miller's brilliant fiction against what really lay behind the compelling Salem events. Frequently, Aronson makes flattering reference to Miller and to the many writers who laid the groundwork for his own research. And while he used transcripts of the pretrial hearings, for better understanding, punctuation and spellings were changed.An index plus notes for cross-referencing make this an excellent reference book. The narrative style is smooth, and teens will find both the subject and writing appealing. Beyond the practical aspects of this work, Aronson has created a fantastic book that illustrates the agony of all the people --- accusers, victims, judges and families --- who were involved in the witch-hunts. This is a must for both high school and public libraries. --- Reviewed by Sally Tibbetts (...)