The Sacrifice

by Kathleen Benner Duble

With the town of Salem in a state of panic over the idea of witches living amongst them, Abigail and her sister are suddenly arrested for being witches themselves, but when their trial date nears, their mother makes the ultimate sacrifice for them - forcing the two girls to make the decision to turn on their mother in order to save their own lives.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Witches, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2005

About the author

Kathleen Benner Duble had sixteen car accidents before she was twenty-one. Being an at-home writer keeps her from hitting the road (or anyone else)! She is the author of eight books for children. Kathleen loves digging for unique historical fiction plotlines and encouraging students and lovers of books to look for great stories right in their own backyard!

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is honestly a book that has changed my life. I first read The Sacrifice in 7th grade because we had to take a book out of the library for English class. I decided to get this one because I had always been interested in the Witch Trials and it took place in my hometown. When I got to class and we started reading our books I found myself hooked. I was drawn into to my own town but 300 years in the past. When the bell rang for the next class I hated having to stop reading. I instantly resumed reading the book when I got home and finished it that night. It was the first time I had enjoyed a book, and it set me on a kick to find other ones like the Sacrifice. I read books like it for a while until I realized that I LOVED reading, and broaded my horizons. Prior to this book reading had been something I tolerated, but the Sacrifice helped me realize the great world of literature. 7th grade was a really rough year for me but finding a love in reading and being able to lose myself in stories helped me through it, and continues to help me today. The moment I feel stressed or any other negatiive feeling I pick up a book and leave my own world for a time. In the four years since I discovered this book I have went on to read it 9 times and have loved it every single time and it will always hold a big impact on my life.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the outset, Abigail Faulkner, Reverend Dane’s 10 year old granddaughter is in the stocks for six hours with the sign SINNER pinned to her chest for running a footrace with her male cousin. Her father is bipolar (my words, not hers) and when the witch finders come from Salem Village to Andover, where the Faulkners live, all are afraid that her father will be called a witch. But no, it’s Abigail and her 12 year old sister. Then the book takes the tack of The Heretic’s Daughter, and much time and misery is experienced at the Salem jail.

“There were only three choices. Deny it all and condemn yourself to hang, because you would be unable to prove the accusations untrue. Speak, and admit to being a witch, and return to prison. Or speak and say you were following another’s instructions, and in accusing someone else, free yourself.”

For a high elementary or low middle school book this hits most of the notes. At least, the notes I’m interested in. The author herself was living in Andover when she discovered she was a descendant of Abigail Faulkner.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d definitely recommend this to all readers who are interested in the trials or history in general.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have all heard the stories of the Salem Witch Trials. Few of us are aware of the fact that Andover, Massachusetts had more people accused of being a witch than in Salem. This Historical Fiction novel is the story of one such family. Based on facts discovered about the author’s own family it is the story of Abigail and her sister Dorothy who find themselves accused of being witches. Abigail’s character in the book is seen as being wild by Puritan standards. The story starts and we find her sitting with her legs locked in the stocks for lifting her skirts and running. During the 17th century this is seen as sinful. It doesn’t help that the townsfolk see her father, who is prone to “fits” as a weak person. It also did not help her case that her grandfather is their preacher. Dorothy is Abigail’s older sister. She is the absolute opposite of Abigail. She is quite, obedient and hates to run. Their grandfather, instead of admonishing his grand-daughter in church, talks about spreading falsehoods. No one knows what he is talking about until they are told about the young girls in Salem who have accused others of witchcraft. Now they are to be brought to Andover where they are to discern witches among the people of Andover. Many are accused and sent to Salem to await trial. Abigail’s Aunt Elizabeth is the first in their family to be accused and sent off. While attending their sick mother who is hallucinating due to a high fever, their house servant sees this behavior and accuses Abigail and her sister of being witches. The rest of the story is their survival and family sacrifices made on their behalf. The book had been in my pile to read for a long time. I finally got around to it and am sorry that it took me so long to get to it. It was read for the 1st in series challenge held by J. Kaye’s Blog and for the August Reading Challenge. I believe it is a must read for anyone interested in the Salem Witch Trials.

[Beranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sacrifice
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grades: 6-8
The Sacrifice is intriguing look at the bogus nature of the Salem witch trials in the late sixteen hundreds. The book is about a ten year old girl named Abigail Faulkner who is falsely accused of practicing witch craft in the town of Andover, Massachusetts. After many months of imprisonment in Salem Village, Abigail finally gets a trial, but she only has three choices for her defense. She can confess to witchcraft and be in jail for the rest of her life, deny that she is a witch and be hanged, or she can accuse someone else and be freed. This book has tons of surprises and crazy turn you will never expect. In the end, Abigail accuses her own pregnant mother of witchcraft in order to free herself. The catch is that the law states that you cannot imprison a pregnant woman until after the baby is born. By the time Abigail’s mother gives birth to the child, the governor has put an end to the witch hunts and the entire family is safe.
Activities:
1. I would have the students prepare a speech trying to convince people that they are not a witch, just as Abigail Faulkner had to do.
2. I would have the students prepare a play based on the trial of Abigail Faulkner. Each student would have a specific part in the play.

[Emma Troyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yikes. This is not a fun book. I suppose it's a worthy interpretation of the times, because this really was a horribly dark time in history for some. This is the only reason I'm not rating it one star, though, because I didn't enjoy it at all.

[Aneesa C · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble is a great book with a lot of memory moments and tough questions. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about puritan life.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up. This was a super fast read...historically interesting and such a tragic topic. What’s neat is this is a historical fiction but it is very closely based on the author’s ancestors’ stories during the Witch Trials in 1692. I just had a tough time feeling emotionally vested in the characters in the way I usually do. I will definitely read more books on this topic though.

[Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this so much more than I expected to! Creepy and emotional and raw and real!

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been awhile since I read this book, but its one that I will always remember. I usually end up reading only fantasy books (I don't know why... I love all books) but I came across this book at the library and so I picked it up along with eight others, but I'm telilng you I can't remember what other books I got, just this one. It's one of those books that leaves a deep impression on you. I really think I had nightmares about the cell with the rats and everything. Ugh.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by the Salem Witch trials, so, when my literature teacher was handing out random books, I snatched this one up. it wasn't quite what I had expected, but good nonetheless. The deplorable descriptions (deplorable in a good way though!) were so vivid, it put you right there. The book did make me teary at the end, when The Sacrifice of the title is made. A good, quick read. Took me a few hours.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by her family history, Ms. Duble spins a tale of when the witch-craze expands beyond Salem to Andover. Abigail and her sister Dorothy are accused of being witches, as is her aunt. It shows the hysteria and disbelief many were feeling and the helplessness to fight for their innocence. For her sister and her to survive, they must falsely accuse another...

I read this in less than a day

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of 15 middle school Sunshine State Books. Historical fiction set during 1692 Salem Witch hunt. Real story about a girl's horrors as her and her family are accused of being witches. READ THIS BOOK! I can't imagine anyone reading this book and wishing they hadn't. Of all the ignorant, destructive, unfair things human beings have done to each other, the witch hunts rank among the worst.

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much!!!!!!!!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, had me holding on the whole time!

[Isaac James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quote “let no man lie nor make false accusations in the face of the lord” (pg28) I picked this quote because they are very very committed to religion and they wouldn’t be witches. Flash back. Early in the book she explains that when she was younger she fought off a bear with a stick so she didn’t have to redu the garden.

Abby is a very religious girl and does chores and work everyday. She doesn’t enjoy the chores at all. She complains about doing to much work. They get a letter and there has been people in Salem that have been accused. They’re not worried that the witches will come go Andover because they know everyone in the town. Salem sends to girls that have been tormented by the devil and they bring in every family. Abby and her family were fine. A week later her and her sister get accused. They are sent to Salem prison and they are there for a long time. Their aunt Elizabeth was in the cell with them. She passes away from an illness. Finally after months Abby and Dorothy get their trial. Their mother comes in and visits them and tells them to accuse her for tormenting them even tho she didn’t. Abby accuses her mom and she gets taken away. As she gets taken away Abby yells out. I lied, my mom never brought the devil upon me. They don’t believe her other than the governor. So their mom goes to prison and Abby gets one day in the stocks.


I really liked that the governor is realizing that this I a Bunch of fake information. The witch trials are going to end soon.

I recommend this to my grandma because she loves history and shes been to every single state in America. Also she has been to Salem Massachusetts

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sacrifice is set in a town outside Salem, MA during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. Ten year old Abigail Faulkner and her family are a close, happy family. Abigail's father suffers from "fits" where he hears voices but her mother is always able to soothe them away. Abigail's grandfather is a reverend in the town. Soon, word reaches Andover about the witch trials in nearby Salem and that the witch girls themselves will be traveling to Andover to see if witches are afoot there as well. Abigail's family believes the girls are lying yet when the girls arrive in Andover, it isn't long before the accusations begin to fly. Abigail and her older sister Dorothy are accused by their former housemaid, along with their Aunt Elizabeth. All three are jailed together in the Salem Prison. Aunt Elizabeth eventually succumbs to illness and dies as Abigail and Dorothy await their trial. Their mother devises a plan to free them-they will go to trial and accuse their mother as their teacher in witchcraft. This is the only way to free them. Their mother is pregnant with another baby, which they hope will save her long enough for their family to work together to end the witch madness.

This was an interesting read, simply written yet engaging. This would be a great book for a late elementary, early middle school reader. It gives a good introduction into the Salem witch trials with keeping the age of the reader in mind.

[Kaylie Lankford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a young girl named Abigail and her family who are accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch craze. The town of Andover was visited by two girls, who claimed to have been touched by the devil and can tell who are witches. Abigail and some family members were accused of witchcraft and sent to prison. Trials never ended well for accused witches as they all only had three choices: to deny being a witch and be hanged, to admit to being a witch and spend life in prison, or to accuse someone else and be set free.
Abigail is a very strong character in the story. She went through many different trials and still drove toward what made her happy despite being punished for it over and over, and it is what really makes this book interesting. The author has a really nice way of showing sacrifice may be necessary to reach happiness.
I liked this book a little, but the ending was unsatisfying. I would recommend this to those who like slower adventure books.

[Emanuelly Schineider · Rating 4 out of 5]

the sacrifice is not my favorite book ever, but its really good if you want to learn. the writer did a great job telling the story, the detail was something that if you close your eyes you can see it. The Sacrifice is an interesting piece of historical fiction about the Salem Witch Trials, they talk a lot about witches
and if you want to learn about the Salem witch trial you should definitely read this book. this book is telling a true story making it even more interesting, reading The Sacrifice did not only teach me about Abigail life but I got to really understand what was happening in that time of history. I was really terrified after reading the book, I had no idea how witch craft work and what would happen if someone was accused of it. after all not the best book ever because is not really someone I was interested in but I'm glad I read it.

[Austin0o0 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a really good but sad book. It always had me at the edge of my seat. It took place when the Salem witch trails where happening. Abigail was the main character in this story. Abigail got in trouble at the start of the story for running with her skirt up. Later in the story people started getting accused of being witches. Including Abigail´s aunt Elizabeth. Abigail and her sister Dorthy where later accused and had to go to jail. That´s where their aunt died and they where stuck in jail. Their mom wanted them to accuse her so they could be free. When it was their court date they did it at first but then protested that no one is witches and they ended up not going to jail and their mom did. To end off the book they visited their aunts grave.

[Dyllan Getz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow… that was amazing!!!! So the title of the book (The Sacrifice) made me kind of worried that I’d be scared of the book, but no!! This was written amazingly! It was so great. The title makes so much sense once you find out the ending. It felt like a light bulb went off above my head when I read what “The Sacrifice” really meant. I cried. It felt so real. And it was 😢. The author bases her story off of her own family history. It amazes me how out of control things got in Salem. But anyways, I would definitely recommend this for everyone! There are no super scary parts, nor that sad. The ending is pretty happy, and it is easy to read. You won’t want to put this book down. That’s all I gotta say!! Totally recommend!

Happy reading!!! 📖✨ <3

[Damon Lund · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a young girl named Abby it is told through her prospective of the witch trials. throughout the book she is not following the rules and showing how she is brave until the ¨witches¨ come and notice all the impurities with her family and her town and gets them in trouble for it. I thought this was a good book for someone who likes and book that is informational but also is suspenseful. The main characters are Abigail and Dorothy who you feel for and love them. In conclusion, this was a good book with a lot of information about the witch trials.

[Elisha Hollis · Rating 3 out of 5]

i appreciate that this was based on the author’s ancestors and she was writing the story the way she believed it happened. i just think there were ways to turn the plot around that made much more sense than she chose. that being said, the Salem witch trials will always be a point of interest for me, especially after feeling the oppressive sadness and anger that i felt when visiting those poor women’s graves. they didn’t deserve what happened to them and i hope their stories are continued to be told for eternity.

[Haaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good. Once I started [again, after having misplaced it], I couldn't put it down. The characters were relatable and the story was captivating. I wanted to know what happened next. I needed to know what happened to them.
I didn't like where it ended, but it was good nonetheless.

I hate Sarah Phelps! And so will you when you read this book.

[Wendy Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good account of a family sucked into the witch hunts of Salem. Great descriptions of life at the time and of the conditions of the prison cells the accused were held in. Insight into how the jail was run and what the families went through. Very very readable - made me so glad of my warm bed and safe home!

[Kaycen W · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this book because it was a little more on the boring side. In the beginning Abigail was in the stocks because she raced and it wasn't allowed in her village. Later she gets accused of being a witch and her mom tells her to turn her in so Abby does but later she says her mom isn't a witch but it's too late. In the end, Abby just wants to be with her family.

[Israel Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been one of my favorites of this year. Its about a girl and her family has been affected by the Salem witch trials. Abby the main girl lifted up her skirt and ran. Later she is arrested with her sister Dorthy and her mothers sister. Her mother than later tells her to switch places with her and then they end up all free but her mother is in jail and that is pretty much it.

[Shanna Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was well written and the details delivered in accordance. At the end of the book the author explains a few more truths that she altered or left out of the book itself. Very interesting read especially if the witch trials intrigue you , as they do me. I also listen to the podcast “unobscured” which is about the Salem witch trials.

[Kelsey Mitton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good quick read that I finished in a day. After visiting Salem I wanted to read a book about it. It was interesting because the author wrote this fiction based on her own ancestors and their experiences. I feel like I was able to feel what the characters were feeling which can be hard to convey sometimes.

[Chloe Bevins · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re into witch trial books (you should give them a try if you haven’t already) this one is the best of the best. I’ve read handfuls of witch trial books and I always come back and give this one another read every once and awhile. What really catches my eye with this book is the DETAIL! The author really gives you the best visual for this story line. Give it a try, you won’t regret it!