Kelly+Budka

*Author Note: I would be conscious of whom my audience would be as well as the cultures and religious backgrounds of my audience before introducing any of these books.

1. Price, Sean. 2009. “Salem Witch Trials: Colonial Life”. Raintree. 32 pages including the glossary, more information, and index. Scottsdale Public Library. Nonfiction a. I really enjoyed this book. It was a simple basic book of important factual information laid out in an easy to read way. It starts off by talking about Salem in 1692. Then the book continues to give the audience a play by play of how the topic of witches grew in Salem. The book describes Salem as an English colony as well as the living conditions of the town itself. The book has pictures and background information regarding the family life in Salem and the events that lead up to the witch trials and hangings. It also discusses what occurred through the witch trials and hangings and how Salem exists in today’s society. The book provides photographs of artifacts that relate to the witch hangings. It also provides vocabulary words, definitions (so the audience understands the meaning of the words that are addressed) and fun facts! b. I would link this book to the curriculum during the time I would be discussing the 13 colonies. Since Massachusetts is a part of the original 13 colonies, I would discuss how life was back then. I would discuss the living conditions in which these people lived in as well as what people did for a living, such as farming or building ships. Then I would talk about the lifestyles of families during this period of time. Since Puritans, which was a part of the Church of England, believed in reforming or purifying, religion was a huge part of their lifestyle. Boys and girls did not go to school. They learned from their parents and read the Bible. Families were strict with their children in Salem. I would explain the lifestyles and how it differed from today’s society. 2. MacBain, Jenny. 2003. “The Salem Witch Trials: A Source History of the Witchcraft Trails in Salem, Massachusetts”. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. 64 pages that include Primary Source transcriptions, glossary, more information, further reading, bibliography, index, and primary source list. Scottsdale Public Library. Nonfiction. a. This book provides the events before, during, and after the witch trials in great detail. The book opens up with a brief background summary of the life in Salem, Massachusetts. It addresses the Puritans coming to America to establish the colonies in order to escape persecution. It also addresses how the government was set up as well as the tension between the town and the farming village. Since agriculture was a significant piece to the village, they wanted to govern themselves instead of relying on the town for financial support. Then the book discusses the first elected minister named Samuel Parris and how his family will become one of the important roles during the witch trials. The book also has a timeline, which can help an audience member to visualize all the important dates. The book continues on to discuss the beginning, the examinations and prisons during the witch trials, the judges and accusers, how men were also involved in the trials, executions, and how everything came to end. b. I would link this book to the curriculum during the time when I talk about the 13 colonies and how important trade was. I would also address that agriculture played a huge role in this town because it was right on the water. The land was marshy but the winters were harsh. It was becoming a major trading post and many immigrants were traveling to this area. In this town, the climate played a role in the agriculture, health was an issue since smallpox was common, Indian attacks, land wars, and politics were all issues as well. With new immigrants fleeing to this area, it disrupted the Puritan way of life. 3. Roach, Marilynne K. 1996. “In The Days of the Salem Witchcraft Trials”. Houghton Mifflin Company. 83 pages. Tempe Public Library. Nonfiction a. Out of all the books, I have to say that this one is one of my favorites. I really enjoyed the layout of the book. It provides great detail on every topic. Each important topic is broken up into a different chapter. So if an audience member is focused on the religion aspect in Salem, then they can turn to the chapter that deals with religion. The book continues on to discuss the laws in Massachusetts, the punishment in regards to breaking the law, witches, magic, land, worldly goods, the people, life cycle, government, and history. The book also discusses the idea of an “Invisible World”. The book breaks down the aspects of the invisible world such as the world of spirits- good, evil, and neutral. This means that people’s immortal souls were expected to leave for Heaven or Hell after their bodies died and they did not stay as ghosts on earth. b. It is difficult to pin point where exactly I would incorporate this book in the curriculum since it offers a great amount of factual information. After consideration, I would probably include this book when introducing folklore and myths in a literature unit. Since folklore is passed down from generation to generation, I could link the beliefs, myths, and religious beliefs of the people in Salem to that particular unit. 4. Bjornlund, Lydia. 2002. “The Thirteen Colonies: Massachusetts”. Lucent Books, Inc. 96 pages that include Notes, Chronology, Further Reading, Consulted Works, Index, Picture Credits, and information about the author. Tempe Public Library. Nonfiction. a. This book is a very informational text. It is part of a collection that includes the rest of the 13 colonies. The book goes into detail about why it is called the Bay State, what happened before Massachusetts was settled, who the first settlers were, the lifestyles of people during the colonial times, what occurred during the American Revolution, and how Massachusetts became a state. The book provides insight in subcategories in each chapter regarding key figures and important events that occurred. For example, in the chapter that discusses how Massachusetts was after it became a state, it addresses that there was a shift in the economy that brought a great depression down on the farmers. Since majority of the farmers were poor and many owed money on their land, some farmers were imprisoned and their land was taken away from them. After a period of time, where a great amount of land was taken, over a thousand armed men came together to seize the courthouse because they claimed wrong doing by the government and how it was run. In the end, this book provides historical background and facts of Massachusetts. b. I would link this book to a unit that discusses the 13 colonies. I would focus on a different state each day of class. On one particular day, I would discuss Massachusetts and the important events that Massachusetts experienced to be where it is today. Since this book provides great detail on issues that occurred in Massachusetts before it was settled to present day, it is an important resource book to have in the classroom. This way the students can use this book as a reference book. 5. Zeinert, Karen. 1989. “The Salem Witchcraft Trails”. Venture Books, 1st Edition. 96 pages. Tempe Public Library. Nonfiction a. In this book, the author takes factual information and writes it in a story manner. She starts off with a summary on the cover of her book about what the audience member can expect to read in her book. Then the main ideas are broken up into chapters. I really enjoyed this book because at the beginning it talks about how witches are viewed in todays society and how the view back then was so different. She then continues to match how witches and religion have always intertwined themselves. There are pictures to support her findings as well. The author talks about how witches or rather the idea of witches first came about. Even to some people, witch hunting became a full time job. The dates go as far back as 1484! With stories that are passed down from generation to generation, most historians believed that is how the ideas of witches came to exist. People wanted to believe that they did exist because it was what people were taught from generation to generation. b. I would want to link this book to a discussion about the different types of religion and how religion has evolved over time. I know it maybe an uncommon duo, but the way the author wrote the story and how she related aspects to religious beliefs, it would prove my point on how religions are different. Puritanism was a small group of dissenters and their role in the Salem Witch Trials is crucial. Some were taught that the religious aspects and views played a major role in the story of how witches were discovered and came about. History of religion is a very interesting topic and I think this book would help support some ideas and concepts that may need to be addressed. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">6. Saari, Peggy. 2001. “Witchcraft in America”. The Gale Group. 234 pages. Scottsdale Public Library. Nonfiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">a. Even though this book is long, it is filled with important factual information. The books starts off by addressing the reader and letting them know that this book is not about the history of the practice of witchcraft, but rather the “fear”. European settlers were heading to the new colonies in the early seventeenth century and they brought with them all that they had known growing up. The idea of witches and other superstitions were a part of what they had known. While the witch hunts were occurring in Europe, these new settlers were trying to get acquainted with their new surroundings. Since religion was a big part of their lives, the new settlers relied on that to show them the new way of life. If something had gone wrong, the only explanation was that it was the will of God. This book includes information about the witch hunts in Europe, in Puritan New England, Salem, the trails and executions, the aftermath, and neo-paganism. This book also includes excerpts from the book that started the European witch hunts, Malleus Maleficarum. This book also includes biographies of key people in the witch trials and executions. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">b. I would use this book as a support resource to other books discussing the Salem Witch Trials. During the topic of the first colonies as well as books regarding new settlers coming over from Europe to America. This is a good resource book since it has bibliographies of the people who were convicted in the Salem Witch Trials. Also this book addressed the topic of Neo-Paganism, which is a relevant topic since it was around in the 1970s. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">7. Kent, Deborah. 1996. “Salem, Massachusetts”. Dillon Press. 58 pages. Tempe Library. Nonfiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">a. This book gives a chronological order of the events that occurred before, during, and after the Salem Witch Trials. One of the major topics that the book addresses is that of when Salem comes of age. During the 1700s, Boston became a major town for trade in the British colonies. Salem was popular for building ships that could withstand the ocean waters. Merchant ships would travel from Salem to different parts of the world to trade materials. The first elephant to arrive in America was in Salem! <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">b. I would link this book to the topic of trade in America in the early years when it was first being settled. All the materials that were traded and how the people in Salem made a living for themselves are fun facts to know. Especially since farming was important too and it was interesting to hear what materials were imported and exported. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">8. Rice, Earle Jr. 1997. “The Salem Witch Trials”. Lucent Books. 98 pages. Tempe Public Library. Nonfiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">a. The book first starts off by discussing laws and how people were prosecuted because they did not follow the rules and laws. The book then addresses that witches did not come about because of the Puritan way of life. The stories of witches have been passed down from generation to generation and there were even mentions of witches in the Bible. In 1542 witchcraft was declared a felony and in 1563, the death penalty was implemented to anyone who caused death by witchcraft. The book continues to break up different events of the first stories about witchcraft in Salem, first accusations, the executions, when the trials ended because of wrongful accusations, and where the witches were hanged. There is a timeline at the back of the book as well. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">b. I would add this book as support to other books discussing the Salem Witch Trials. This book gives more in depth details about events that may have been glossed over in other books, ones that strictly gave the simplified version of the stories. For example, this book gives details about Gallows Hill, which was the hill that all the witches were hung. This book would also provide scaffolding to other books that an audience member may have read by giving more detail regarding a topic that may have been mentioned in another book. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">9. Linde, Laurel Van Der. 1992. “The Devil in Salem Village”. The Millbrook Press. 66 pages. Tempe Public Library. Nonficiton and Fiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">a. The book starts off by placing the reader in a story about a girl named Sarah Good as she stood on Gallows Hill about to be hung. The author gives vivid details describing her surroundings and her responses to the questions she was asked. As the reader continues, alarming statistics are noted. They include: more than two hundred people had been accused of witchcraft; one hundred and forty one were thrown in jail, including a five year old little girl. Furthermore, even though there have been witch hunts in England and other European countries, the witch hunt in Salem was the largest in America. And the unnerving fact about all of it, there was no hard evidence. The book continues on to describe that roots of witchcraft were in the practices of ancient religions. Furthermore, the book continues to describe the Salem witch hunts and trials until the end of the book. The book goes in depth in regards to the examinations that the convicted witches had to endure as well. There is also a timeline at the end of the book as well. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">b. I would use this book in support of how new religions came to be. I would discuss this book before the topic of the Greeks, Romans, and Christians. Since this book discusses witchcraft as a part of ancient religion, it is a good precursor to lead people into the topic of new religions and how myths have occurred. For example, Christians became hesitant about things such as herbal teas when their religion developed because they thought that those were magic drinks. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">10. Krensky, Stephen. 1989. “Witch Hunt: It happened in Salem Village”. Random House, Inc. 48 pages. Tempe Public Library. Fiction and Nonfiction <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">a. This book tells of all the events that occurred in Salem in regards to the Salem Witch Trials. Since this book is for grades 2-4, it is an easy read book and the material has been cut down to almost a PG rating. There are no pictures of woman being hung and the girls who had “fits” only screamed. In the end of the book, Ann Putnam, who was one of the main women in the trials, apologized for her acts in 1706. She claimed that the Devil had tricked her and she then begged for forgiveness from God. So in the end of the story, the audience can see that one of the main “characters” learned an important lesson after all. So in an younger audience’s eyes, one of the main “characters” had learned a lesson and apologized, which could provide closure to a young audience. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">b. I would use this book in a younger classroom setting. When talking about Massachusetts during the 13 colonies, I would have this book available so the students could read a “PG” version of the Salem Witch Trials, as a fun story. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">11. Kallen, Stuart A. 1999. “The Salem Witch Trials”. Lucent Books, Inc. 96 pages that include an Epilogue, notes, future readings, works consulted, Index, picture credits, and about the author. Tempe Public Library. Nonfiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">a. At the beginning of the book, there is a foreword to the audience describing why it is important for teachers to include history in their classrooms for the upcoming year. The next page, there is a timeline of important dates in the history of the Salem Witch Trials. Under each date, there are a few sentences to describe the events that occurred. In the introduction of the book, the topic of ancient tales and goddess worship was addressed. The book then continues to address how the Christian church became a powerful ruler in Europe. There were two books that added to the topic of witches and they were: Malleus Maleficarum and Witches’ Hammer. The book continues to discuss who Salem was discovered and how Puritans settled there. The chapter continues to discuss the earliest record of witchcraft in North America and continues to discuss when the witch hunts started, when accusations were made, who was included, the trials that took place, the executions, and then the close of the witch hunts. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">b. I would link this book in the history or social studies class. The topic of the 13 colonies and new settlements that would be taking place would support this book. This book does a sufficient job in describing how magical ideas were talked about before the witch hunts in North America. Witch hunts occurred in Europe as well. The topic of witches has been brought down from generation to generation. Furthermore, it was a very important topic in relation to religious backgrounds and beliefs. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">12. Boraas, Tracey. 2004. “Let Freedom Ring: The Salem Witch Trials”. Capstone Press. 48 pages. Tempe Public Library. Nonfiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">a. At the beginning of this book, it talks about how two young girls of a minister in the town of Salem began to scream and contort their bodies into strange positions. The doctor claimed it was a result of witchcraft. Then the book talks about Salem as a poor farm community in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Puritan lifestyle was discussed, including their clothing and religious beliefs. Salem was the place where the witch hunt started and the fear that it would spread to nearby colonies became a concern. The books talks about cures for witchcraft, who were named as witches, and witch hunts in Europe as well. Soon fear began to spread and more and more people ended up in jail. The trails began and then followed the executions. Some believed that if the person was a witch, they could not say the Lord’s Prayer without messing up the words. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">b. I would link this book when discussing law, court system, and trails during the early years of the colonies. Since there was no concrete evidence, all these trials of witchcraft were based on spectral evidence and hearsay. I would discuss how the court system has changed <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">13. Kent, Zachary. 1986. “The Story of the Salem Witch Trials”. Regensteiner Publishing Enterprises, Inc. 31 pages. Tempe Public Library. Fiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">a. The book starts off by discussing a sheriff leading five condemned women from Salem jail to the Gallows Hill. The facts of the Salem Witch Trials are told in a story format. It is easy for a reader to follow and understand the events that occurred during the Salem Witch Trials. All the events and important people are talked about through the story. For children who would rather read a story verses an informational text, I would recommend this book to them. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">b. This book addresses the Salem Witch Trails through a story. I would use this book in addition to other resource books when discussing the Salem Witch Trials. If, for example, some students prefer to read a story about an important event in American history, I would offer this book for them to read. It is still at a higher reading level, so I would offer this book to older grades. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">14. LaPlante, Eve. 2007. “The Life and Repentance of Samuel Sewall: Salem Witch Judge”. HarperCollins Publishers. 964 pages. Phoenix Public Library. Nonfiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">a. This book talks about one of the Salem judges that had sent twenty people to their death because of witchcraft chargers. His name was Samuel Sewall. Furthermore, the woman who wrote this story, she is the great- great –great- great- great- great granddaughter of this judge. She talks about her ancestor’s diaries and lore. This man was the only Salem Witch Judge to make amends. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">b. I thought this book was interesting and I would want to tie this book in as a support in regards to the Salem Witch Trials. Since this book is written by his distant relative, I would think that the reader would be curious to find out more information on one of the judges who participated in an interesting event in history. This book will allow the reader to retrieve more detail and receive a deeper understanding of the type of person that this judge was. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">15. Hautzig, Deborah. 1998. “Little Witch Goes to School”. Random House Inc. 72 pages. Phoenix Public Library. Fiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">a. This is a fun children’s book because it is about a little witch who wants to go to her school just like her friends. But her mother thinks that she should stay home and that she should learn from her mom and aunt in regards to their witchy ways. But when the mom witch agrees to let her go, the only promise that the little witch has to keep is to be very bad. This book is part of a series. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">b. I thought the pictures in this book were simple and cute. This book would be introduced during Halloween time, when the audience is getting into the Halloween spirit. I would space this book out, since it is a chapter book, and read a little bit each day. This way the audience or children will be interested in seeing what could possibly happen next. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">16. Rowling, J.K. 1997. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”. Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Press. 309. My House. Fiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">a. This collection of 7 chapter books allows an audience member to be taken on a ride through a boy’s life learning he is a wizard. In this mystical vivid world, the author takes the reader through ups and downs as well as adventures during these stories. The book starts off with the little boy being accepted to Hogwarts School and then the years that follow that intertwine his fate with that of an evil wizard. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">b. I would tie this book in higher up grades. I would have it in my book area for entertainment purposes and encourage students to read chapter books in their free time. The words the author uses and the detail in which she describes the story, it is difficult to not get drawn into the book. As a reward, these books have been made into movies as well. As an incentive, if the student were to finish reading the chapter book, then they would be allowed to watch the movie. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">17. Estes, Eleanor.1960. “The Witch Family”. Harcourt Inc. 240 pages. Internet. Fiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">a. This story is about two little girls who are friends. They enjoy hearing stories about an old witch that are told to them by one of their mothers. When the little girls draw the stories down on paper, their imagination brings the old witch to life. The old witch then begins to experience everything that the little girls have drawn. This story peaks the imagination for students and has excellent pictures. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">b. I would use this book as a part of a literature class. I would use it close to Halloween, since that is when witches are talked about the most. But I would reinforce the idea of imagination and encourage the students to use their imagination. I would have them draw pictures and then write mini stories about their pictures. This way the students can practice their writing while having fun. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">18. Dahl, Roald. 1983. “The Witches”. Published by Jonathan Cape. 208 pages. Internet. Fiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">a. This book is about a group of witches who decide that they do not like children. They want to get rid of them, so they come up with a plan to turn them into mice and then exterminate them. But then a little boy hears their plan by accident and so he decides to stop them. The fate rests with him. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">b. I think this book has a sense of humor about it. I think it would be an interesting chapter book to read to the students around Halloween time. I do not see anything negative about this book. I would use this book in a literature class and have the children expand on their imagination. I would encourage them to write a story and predict what may happen next in the book. This way they can make connections to what they know and have learned before to what they may expect. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">19. Low, Alice. 2000. “The Witch Who was Afraid of Witches”. Harper Collins. 48 pages. Internet. Fiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">a. This book is a chapter book. However, it is an easy to read chapter book. This book is about a little girl who is afraid of other witches, including her mean sisters. But one Halloween day, she meets a little boy around her age who convinces her not to be afraid of her sisters or her powers. These two characters ended up being good friends. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">b. This book has some rhyme in it and therefore I would use this text, around Halloween time, to help reinforce some rhyming words. I would have the students practice rhyming words. Also I could have the students write a piece on what they are afraid of and what they could do to overcome that fear. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">20. Paul, Korky and Thomas, Valerie. 1987. “Winnie the Witch”. Oxford University Press. 32 pages. Internet. Fiction. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">a. This is a book about a witch and her cat named Wilbur. This is a collection of 14 books and each book is a story about an adventure that they go on. Each book is an easy to read chapter book and has brilliant pictures that accompany it. This book has great reviews. I remember reading this book when I was little. All the adventures that the witch and her cat go on are thrilling and fun. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">b. I would encourage the audience to read these books to practice their writing and reading skills. Since there are 14 books in this collection, it provides multiple opportunities for the reader to practice while also looking forward to the next book. I would incorporate this book in a literature class. I would have the students create and draw a story about an adventure that they want to go on. I want to provide them an opportunity for them to elaborate on their thinking and writing skills.