Book Title: A Break with Charity, a Story About the Salem Witch Trials
Author: Ann Rinaldi
Publisher: Gulliver Books
Copyright Date: 1992
Selection Choice: Historical Fiction
Brief Annotation: During the late 1600’s, a young girl named Susana becomes involved with a group of girls that are in the business of starting rumors about people they dislike. Ann, the leader of the group, will not allow Susana to be a member, but still confides in her about the plan to expose certain people as witches. At this time, this was a very serious accusation that involved a trial and a punishment, usually death, if one was found to be a witch. Susana realizes that this is extreme and that people’s lives are at stake, but Ann threatens to accuse Susana’s parents of witchcraft if she exposes Ann’s plan. Susana must choose to expose Ann and the other girls to stop innocent people from being harmed, or remain silent in order to ensure her parents’ safety.
Rating: 5/5
Readers who will like this book: Readers who enjoy historical fiction, readers who enjoy learning about the Salem Witch Trials
Question to ask about this book before reading: What do you know about the Salem Witch Trials? What was life like back then?
Question to ask about this book during reading: How is Susana different from the girls who meet at the house? Why do you think she wants to belong to their group?
Question to ask about this book after reading: What conclusions can you draw about human nature from the way that people treat each other in this book? Use examples from the book and relate them to examples from today.
I would have loved this book as a kid. I was obsessed w/ the Salem Witch Trials--in fact, even as an adult I've always been intrigued by the idea of witches.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed by the timeless themes that seem to be part of this story--friendship, belonging, persecution, differences, etc. Remember what we learned about high quality historical fiction? Galda said, "Outstanding historical fiction shows that history is created by people, that people experience historical events in individual ways, that people living now are tied to those who lived in the past through a common humanity, and that human conditions of the past shape our lives today". I'd add that good historical fiction shows how history repeats itself if we don't learn from the past. Think of how many groups today, often for religious reasons, but sometimes just because of "different-ness" (and misunderstanding), are persecuted. Using this book as the centerpiece of a thematic study would be interesting.
If you get a chance, and you're interested, ask me about the novel teaching guide that's published for use w/ this book. Your questions are so much better than the ones suggested by the study guide! I can send the guide to you via email.