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Review: It Happened in Salem

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Written by Jonah Winter
Illustrated by Brad Holland
Mankato, MN: Creative Editions, 2024. Informational.

In this look at the Salem Witch Trials, readers are directly addressed as if they might today be participating in something similar to the frantic accusations that spread throughout the Massachusetts town four hundred years ago. The text warns of the dangers of spreading rumors and gossip and looks at how quickly accusations spread throughout the whole of Salem, even coming back to those pointing the finger to begin with.

This title will interest readers who like learning about Salem, but would also serve as a discussion opener about gossip, lying, or passing blame for your own actions onto others. The text is simple and straightforward making it all the more impactful. Painted illustrations, with a mix of closeup portraits of the accusers and spreads of execution scenes, are both beautiful and unsettling. Information about the trials and a victim memorial site are included at the end. An important exploration of how destructive gossip and the rumor mill can really be.
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