Salem Witch

My Side of the Story

by Patricia Hermes

Salem, 1692. Devils and witches are an accepted fact of life and religion. When some girls in the village begin having fits and tremors, their torments are attributed to the action of witches. Elizabeth Putnam and her parents are different from many of the other village folk, and they doubt the superstitions that terrify the town. As Elizabeth struggles to find her way among the alarming events, she also finds herself at odds with George, her best friend and companion since babyhood. Things come to a head when Elizabeth herself is accused of witchcraft, and George must make a difficult choice between what his community believes and what he knows to be true. Readers start the story in Elizabeth's voice and finish the
story in George's voice, where they learn how he finds a resolution to his heartwrenching predicament and the conclusion of his own side of the story.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2006

Reviews

[Beatrix Haase · Rating 2 out of 5]

Salem Witch by Patricia Hermes
It was an okay-read. I didn't love it. I did like how she did the different point of views. The writing and the story line didn't have me hooked. It was interesting to see how people did things back then and how people thought that they were witches but... I didn't love it.

2/5: Not something I would read again.

xoxo,
Bebe

[Rebecca Heywood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Especially how is shows the differing points of view of the salem witch trials. I actually wish there was more, and that the girls were found out and punished. I also wish that the two stories met up more often, but it was pretty good otherwise. Told my kids about it, they were not interested in reading it with me. They thought it was awful about the hangings.

[Anthony Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who loved both History and everything Salem Witch Trials, I loved this book! I read it when I was either a Sophomore or Junior in High School. I loved every second of this book. It was interesting to get a perspective from both of the characters in this book. Highly recommend this book.

[Cate Coen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and ultimately quite devastating in its insights into the dynamics of persecution. Beautifully written.

[Jaelynn]

i have not read i yet

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading something different to what i normally read. It was nice to read two different versions of events through the perspective of the two characters

[Katie Downing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two children each tell their stories of living through the Salem witch trials: one who is accused of being a witch and one who’s father condemns witches. I liked the characters, especially Elizabeth, and I liked that her family was so progressive. I also liked that the book had a happy ending. I just wish it has hit a little harder on the horrors of the witch trials and the relationship between Elizabeth and George. 3 stars.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Steph for TeensReadToo.com

SALEM WITCH: MY SIDE OF THE STORY is told from two different perspectives.

Elizabeth is a young girl living in Boston who unfortunately angers the wrong people: her cousin and her cousin's friends. Suddenly, Elizabeth finds herself being accused of being a witch! And this isn't good news since the town of Boston recently hung a few accused "witches."

Can Elizabeth prove her innocence before she is hanged? What will happen if no one believes that she's innocent of these charges?

George is the son of a very prominent Bostonian. He is around for all of these witch accusations and becomes increasingly afraid of the horrors happening throughout the town. When his best friend, Elizabeth, is accused of being a witch, George knows this witch business might not be truly legit.

Can George save his friend from the horrors of being named a witch? Or will George stick to his family ties, mainly his father, and persecute all women accused of being a witch?

Patricia Hermes writes about an interesting and controversial historical event through the eyes of two youngsters. Her ability to tell this gruesome story through a shield of innocence is amazing. Overall, this book is a good read that is both entertaining and informational.

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

- Considering that this is a children's book (I wrongly assumed that it would be Young Adult when I bought it in a charity shop), the writing is very strong and the story was interesting.

- It had potential to be a great completed work. It felt like the author went, "That's it! I'm done. I don't want to do this any more." The book could have been expanded by tying up loose ends e.g. the young girls who're accusing people of witchcraft.

- It was a quick read. Too quick, in fact. I don't think I spent any longer than 15-20 minutes.

I liked how you could flip over and start reading the other character's point of view. It filled in some gaps, although not in detail. I think that's why I wasn't that keen on this. You would assume that witchcraft, magic, love and treachery would be the focus, especially because it would appeal to readers, but it wasn't.
As I said, it had the potential to be a good story if there had been more to it.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love reading historical fiction about the Salem Witch Trials, but they're harder to come by than one might think. Goodreads has been very helpful about bringing other novels to light!

I ordered this book through Interlibrary loan, and didn't realize it was written for a MUCH younger audience. I typically don't have a problem re-reading children's books (Well hello there, Baby-sitters Club and Sweet Valley High) but this one was a little too juvenile for me.

It only took me 20 minutes to read though, so I can't say it was a waste!

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seems like an interesting series of historical fiction for middle grade readers. It's a fairly short book...but it shows the Salem Witch trials from 2 perspectives...one a girl who doesn't beleive the accused are witches and that the accusers are acting...the other, a boy whose father is a judge, and he believes they may be witches. It gives some insight into what happened but didn't really delve into why very much. A good amount of info for children but not as much as I would have liked. Still I'm interested in reading more in this series of books.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book. It made me want to learn more about the Salem Witch Trials and the characters who played a part in them. It was the most interesting to find out that Nathaniel Hawthorne had relatives that played a role in those trials... causing him to change the spelling of his last name...

[Sadistic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, really liked how you could read it from 2 different views. Really liked how it ended didn't like it on her side b/c it was rather sad but glad how it ended this time. Its during the salem witch trials and how all the girls kept accusing others of being a witch when those girls just didn't like them or they were just being terrible.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and entertaining. It was refreshing to see a young characters who are educated as well as emotionally supportive and concern about the maddness surrounding them. Never though 12 year olds could care so much...but then again it is a work of fiction.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to give two different perspectives of the Salem Witch trials--one from a young girl who is accused and the other from her best friend, the son of the local judge conducting the trials.

[Kari · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay...it was cool to see the Salem Witch Trials through two different views! I liked it but I wouldn't read it again. If you are intrested in the Salem Witch Trials you should read it though.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book to read, if you are a person who likes two sides to every story. It had about 80 pages of character George's side and 91 pages of a girl named Elizabeth who was accused of being a witch and throughout the book you constantly have "aha" moments. It's a great quick read

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been fascinated about the Salem witch trials. This is probably my favorite book I've read that takes place in that period. I love the fact you can flip the book over to get the other characters view. It's a real easy read, and I was very happy with the ending.

[McKenley F · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book because even though it is historical it is about a time when people believed it witches. In this book it is about people believing in witches when these girls claim to have seen them. George believes in this stuff from the things he's seen.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series of books - it's a flip-book with two stories, narrated by two different characters: two sides of the same story. So you read one and then flip over for the other side, fun stuff!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting because you could read both sides of the stories. I wish I knew what actually happend and if there were witches or just a joke.

[Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's an okay book....I'm just not into that kind of stuff

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good.

[Brooke Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A flip book of the points of view of two children in the times of the Salem Witch Trials. They see friends and neighbors hanged for they have been accused. Good Book!! :)

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two stories in one book - very good!

[Tracey Tait · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was interesting reading it from two different points of view. Glad of the ending though. Scary to have lived in those times I think.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Salem Witch trials have always been fascinating to me so this book appealed to me right away.

[Cookiemakermom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, brief, simple. Great book for teens to read about Salem Witches.

[Rachel Heaton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read the girl's side (another history assignment). Really sad, though.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a book about a dark shady time in history. (If you like that kind of thing.)