Graphic History Salem Witch Trials

It all began when two girls, Betty Parris and Abigail Williams, started to behave strangely. Their behavior greatly upset the god-fearing puritans who lived in their village of Salem. So much so that the people began to think that the girls were being influenced by evil powers. Two more girls joined Betty and Abigail in their mysterious sickness and then the girls accused several women in the village of being witches. These accusations were taken very seriously and the accused women were forced to stand trial for their crimes. As so often happens when panic and hysteria are allowed to run wild, the situation escalated and soon fingers were being pointed at all kinds of people, including men and women who were solid and respected members of the church. People were thrown in prison and then, the hangings began. This account of a strange and frightening time in American history is well told and it gives the reader a sense of how difficult life was at this time, when superstition and rumors could decide whether a person lived or died. At the back of the book the author has included further information about the Salem witch trials including a list of theories which have been offered up to explain the strange behavior of the girls who accused so many people of the crime of witchcraft. Presented in a comic book style, this is the perfect book for children who think that history is a dull and boring subject.This is one of the titles in the ""Graphic Library"" series.-- ""Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Review"" One of eight new graphic nonfiction titles for younger readers published by Capstone in the spring of 2005, this comic tale takes the reader inside the historical witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692.-- ""Teacher Librarian"" These eye-catching books not only draw inspiration and style from comic books, but also employ experienced illustrators and inkers from the field. Though the bright and boldly colored illustrations capture the spirit of comic books, they differ from the traditional framing readers are accustomed to, instead favoring one to three cells per page. The effect gives the books a rushed feel that, while maintaining a sense of excitement, leaves little room for subtlety in illustrations or details. Some important facts and references are added at the end of each book, but since undermotivated readers are unlikely to utilize these tools, the main text is occasionally oversimplified. Overall, these books would work well for introducing hi/lo readers to the subjects, but their use is limited as resources for reports. Dawn Rutherford, Kings County Library System, Bellevue, WA-- ""School Library Journal""