(3) 4-6 Tangled History series. From 1692 to 1694, hysteria took over Salem, Massachusetts; wild accusations of witchcraft led to imprisonment and hangings. This chronological account presents a variety of perspectives, including those of accusers, accused, and others involved in the events. Captioned archival images and full-color photographs enhance the accessible text. A foreword and epilogue provide more context to the religious and political influences. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) YA Mather's second book featuring teenagers descended from the Salem witches (How to Hang a Witch) veers sharply to explore the Titanic's eerie allure. During the day, the students plan a Titanic-themed dance; at night, Samantha's dreams feature vivid vignettes from the doomed ship and soon grow more threatening. Sam turns to her Descendant friends for help solving the convoluted supernatural mystery.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) YA When NYC teen Samantha--descended from colonial witch hunter Cotton Mather--arrives in Salem, she's immediately targeted by the Descendants, kids whose relatives were persecuted as witches. Working with a ghost inhabiting her family home, Samantha unravels the mystery behind Salem's centuries-old cycle of vengeance. The author, related to the real Cotton Mather (per the author's note), injects real history into this riveting supernatural thriller.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA Worldwalker Trilogy series. Back in her world, Lily heals, but powerful witch Lillian hasn't given up--she'll drive Lily back to alternate Salem no matter the cost. Romance takes a backseat to intrigue as the plot unfolds and everyone's secret plans are revealed. Series fans will enjoy seeing what happens in this second installment; multiple questions left frustratingly unexplored may keep them hooked.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Nickolas Flux History Chronicles series. Illustrated by Dante Ginevra. History-loving teen Nickolas has the ability to go back in time to important events. Mixing real figures with fiction, the graphic novels convey the gist of the Boston Tea Party and the Salem Witch Trials (Witchcraft relies on stereotypes a bit); sidebars and appended information provide more context. Although vocabulary levels are uneven, these are suited to reluctant readers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Nickolas Flux History Chronicles titles: Arrested for Witchcraft! and Night of Rebellion!.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 What Would You Do? series. These volumes place young readers at the heart of some dilemmas of frequently studied pivotal events in American history. Sections in simple, conversational language promote discussion by alternating "What Would You Do?" questions (which are more sophisticated than the main text) with "What Really Happened." Maps and archival images add to the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these What Would You Do? titles: The Alamo, The Boston Tea Party, The Salem Witch Trials, and The Underground Railroad.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Six Questions of American History series. Informative sidebars and colorful graphics enhance these lively narratives. Salem and Oregon Trail especially stand out because they give young readers an understanding through the eyes of people who lived at the time. Articles is a more linear, factual account, clearly showing the development of the American federal system of government. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) YA Although definitely not historical fiction, Weyn's novel is set in colonial Salem where Elsabeth, a psychic, inadvertently triggers the infamous witchcraft trials. With the aid of friends who employ various world mystic and religious traditions, order is eventually restored. Readers will either celebrate the imaginative inclusivity of this novel or experience it as an overwhelming multicultural traffic jam.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Schanzer (How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis and Clark) turns her attention to the Salem Witch Trials to powerful effect. Her small book, complete with scratchboard illustrations and vivid red accents, recounts the horrors of the witch-hunting hysteria. Good organization and effective illustrations are helpful for keeping the complex material manageable for the audience. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) YA Amidst the Salem witch trial madness, fourteen-year-old Lidda experiences disturbing, disorienting hallucinations that leave her wondering whether she's insane--or if she might herself be a witch. Though the narrative remains rather ambiguous about the origins of Lidda's visions, an author's note discusses bipolar disorder. There's some melodrama here, but the vivid prose effectively brings Lidda's inner life to light. Reading list.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(2) YA In this forceful verse novel, Hemphill gives voice to those who writhed, twitched, and shrieked their way to power during the Salem witch trials. Her plausible interpretation of events is a Puritan Mean Girls, with peer pressure driving the accusers. The poems shift among the perspectives of three girls, and Hemphill succeeds in carving out distinct personalities and motivations for each.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2010

(4) 4-6 HorrorScapes series. Bold headings and melodramatic narratives characterize this high-interest series. The use of period images is effective, but many of the illustrations are cheesy reenactment photographs. A "Then and Now" comparison chart is an engaging feature of each title. While creepy details (e.g., supernatural-looking cover art, skeleton ornamentation on sidebars) may draw readers in, the sensationalism is cumulatively a bit much. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these HorrorScapes titles: Ghostly Alcatraz Island, Voodoo in New Orleans, and Witchcraft in Salem.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) 4-6 Historical Fiction Adventures series. In 1866 Lee Chin works on the transcontinental railroad, earning money to free his sister from bondage in China (Iron). In Nazi-occupied Poland, the title character escapes the Warsaw ghetto (Simon's). Sarah Wright attempts to exonerate her father, accused of witchcraft (Devil's). The character-driven narratives can be choppy. "The Real History Behind the Story" is appended to each. Reading lists, websites. Review covers these Historical Fiction Adventures titles: The Iron Dragon, Simon's Escape, and The Devil's Door.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) YA Famous Court Cases That Became Movies series. This series provides detailed descriptions of both the court cases in question and the movies (none released recently) about them. Some of the texts make relevant connections; in other instances, the breadth of coverage obscures the big picture about why these cases are important. Historical photographs and documents are interspersed with movie stills. Reading list, websites. Glos, ind. Review covers these Famous Court Cases That Became Movies titles: The Amistad Mutiny, Witchcraft on Trial, and The Bounty Mutiny.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 4-6 America's Living History series. Kent discusses the social, political, and religious environment that fueled the events leading to the Salem witchcraft trials. Concluding chapters explore the aftermath and the potential for history to repeat itself. Primary sources and sidebars add valuable perspective. Stock photos and drawings illustrate the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Orphans Drucilla and Gabe were raised as siblings, then separated after being taken in by different families in colonial Salem. As hysteria over witchcraft builds, Dru joins her peers in making denouncements--until Gabe is accused, and Dru searches for a way to end the trials. Dru's character exhibits sensibilities too modern for 1692, but the setting is otherwise well realized.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) YA In 1892, married teenage ghost hunters Tess and Tobias Goodraven travel to Blackthorne, near Salem, where they hope to contact spirits of witches who fled during the trials. When a vengeful witch attacks their train, the Goodravens must battle a vicious demon and end a centuries-old feud. The spine-chilling story is full of startling twists.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Simple, straightforward texts touch on important aspects of American history: the hysteria of the 1690s, the excess of the 1920s, the perseverance of the 1930s, the role of investigative reporters in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The choppy writing lacks depth, but photos and archival reproductions support the information. An open, inviting design makes these presentations accessible. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: America Has Fun, Climbing out of the Great Depression, Digging Up Dirt, and Salem Witch Trials.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) YA American History series. These books provide simple, clear introductions to important events in American history. The writing is accessible but bland. The two-column text design layout makes the pages look dense and textbooklike. Maps, photographs, and illustrations enliven the overall presentation, and some primary source material sidebars help provide more historical context. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these American History titles: The American Revolution, The Constitution and Founding of America, and The Salem Witch Trials.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) 4-6 Explore Colonial America with Elaine Landau series. These basic introductions to specific events in colonial America include a lukewarm time-travel framing device. The attempt to cover twenty-five years of conflicts, events, and people in Founding of America prevents any aspect of the book from being memorable; Salem Witchcraft Trials fares better with its more focused topic. Both volumes include a variety of pictures, cartoons, and maps. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Explore Colonial America with Elaine Landau titles: Celebrate the Founding of America with Elaine Landau and Witness the Salem Witchcraft Trials with Elaine Landau.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac