May 1, 2012
Gr 9 Up-Stephanie Hempfill's novel in lyrical verse (Balzer + Bray, 2010) offers a fresh fictionalized account of the 1692 Salem witch trials through the perspective of three teenage girls. What emerges is a slow but gripping look into the minds of the group and the way their dynamics shift as power is gained and lost throughout the course of the events. From the first fits where they swear they see the spectral world to the final scenes and their eventual undoing, it is easy to see how things quickly grow out of control. Although multiple narrators are used, the voices and accents don't always to match the characters. The girls, who range in age from 12 to 17, all sound too adult. The accents, while affected by the Puritan formality of language, rarely reflect any trace of New England or the British heritage of the colonists. While the free-verse format is clearly defined in the printed text, listeners may need to acclimate to the rhythm of the tale. Pair this audiobook with Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" and also have students discuss the psychology of group dynamics.-"Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA"
Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from July 5, 2010
Hemphill (Your Own, Sylvia) plumbs the psychological underpinnings of the
Salem witch trials in blank verse monologues from three of the main accusers. Two girls, eight and 12, fall violently ill, having seizures and singling out neighbors as witches. Seeing the weight the girls' accusations are given ("All that Betty and Abigail say in fit/ is listened to like it comes from the town council"), Ann, Mercy, and Margaret snatch the opportunity to join in and move to positions of influence as well, targeting those who have harmed them or their families. Neighbors are jailed and even executed based on the girls' testimony, and even as wiser heads question their credibility, the girls turn on each other, fueled by jealousy, peer pressure, blackmail, and the desire to dominate the group. Even those familiar with the historical events will savor the exploration of the underlying motivations, as Hemphill breathes life into those long dead and holds a mirror up to contemporary society. The expressive writing, masterful tension, and parallels to modern group dynamics create a powerful and relevant page-turner. Ages 12–up.