I thought this would be a nice overview of the Salem trials but it was rather boring. It read like a text book, not a book designed for YA readers interested in the topic. I'd recommend this for research use only, and not just for the casual reader.
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Re-read 6/2016. Not sure what mindset I was in when I first read this but I've enjoyed it this second time. It is a researched historical account but reads much like a mystery narrative. Rating updatedfrom 2 to 4 stars. ( )

Learning about the Salem witch-trials of 1692 is a chilling experience when you realize that nineteen people were executed because of possibly fabricated accusations. Naturally, questions abound: were the trials of 1692 the result of teenage girls frightened into thinking that evil was ubiquitous, or was there something more sinister unfolding in Salem? Even perhaps more chillingly, did a group of people knowingly condemn nineteen innocent people to their deaths because of petty differences and a desire for excitement in their restrained lives? Quite simply, how could this have happened?

What makes Aronson’s book unique is that it doesn’t seek to provide answers to these questions; rather, the information is presented in a concise format and then lets the readers ponder for themselves the answers. Aronson deftly traces the hysteria back to its origins decades sooner, but he also discusses the culture of the Salem Puritans at that time, and what could have possibly driven a community to lash out at their own. Driven by money, property disputes, and power, it becomes increasingly unclear if it was human demons or superhuman ones that possessed a town to go mad. By the conclusion, readers are reminded of a more recent “witch-hunt”; that of the 1950’s McCarthy-era. The example begs readers to consider this: if this has happened so recently, it isn’t time, environment, or a certain group of people that causes witch hunts, then what does? Highly recommended. Grades 9 and up. ( )

Noted nonfiction author Marc Aronson dissects the Salem Witch Trials and brings a measured, balanced report for young readers. He slays some popular myths along the way. He discounts the Slave Tituba's "contribution" noting that she was Indian, not black, that her confession likely saved her life and that any 'witchcraft' she practiced was learned while among the Puritans. He also minimizes the modern feminist spin that the Puritans targeted unmarried older women who owned land (only somewhat true). The greatest correlation lies along the index of popularity: if you were disliked, you were more likely to be targeted. He points to the competition between two prominent families, the Putnams and the Porters, as the single biggest prompt for the attacks. He also writes about Arthur Miller's deft spin on the situation and the parallels with the McCarthy trials.

Fans of The Crucible, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, etc., will find this especially interesting. Those looking for high drama, lurid details or Wicca how-to's should look elsewhere. ( )

In this piece of non-fiction, Marc Aronson revisits the historical events of the Salem Witch Trials with the purpose of correcting false information by addressing assumptions, opinions, and fictional accounts about the period. Using a narrative, conversational voice, Aronson describes his research findings and interpretations, while recounting the stories of the residents and key players in the infamous scandal. Unlike many other books of this genre, Aronson invites the reader to accompany him on his informational journey, while encouraging the reader to also analyze, interpret, and evaluate the research. By addressing the reader directly, Aronson encourages the reader to use his imagination while studying the evidence, in order to give life to the past. Importantly, Aronson points out that even he, the writer and historian, cannot make a final determination of what caused of the tragic events. Included is a timeline of Puritan history, a bibliography, and an extensive notes section that is meant to inspire readers to continue their own research. A pleasurable and informative read, this book will likely appeal to both fiction and non-fiction readers. ( )

Witch-Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials. By Marc Aronson. Atheneum Books for Young Readers / Simon & Schuster. 2003. 272 pages. $18.95 hbk. 0689848641. Grades 8-12.

Aronson tackles the oft-represented subject of the Salem witch trials with scholarly aplomb and instructional verve, using clear, measured prose to reveal the historical facts, his interpretation, and, in a gratifying twist, their combined relevance to the modern adolescent reader. His introduction encourages teenage readers to encounter these events from their own perspective and remember that such happenings are perhaps not so emotionally distant from our rational modern day. This framework follows throughout the rest of the work, adding a personal depth to his historical investigation that allows the reader to connect with these past happenings. Not only does Aronson teach his readers about the Salem witch trials (a topic surrounded by much misinformation, as Aronson patiently illustrates), he also models exemplary writing practice in his thorough analysis of the facts (always tethered to primary sources), his notification for all instances of supposition, and his run-down in the final chapter of other scholars’ thoughts on the matter. Witch-Hunt provides a thorough look at an important moment in history, and is well-written enough to be enjoyed by pleasure readers, setting a new standard for adolescent nonfiction. Highly recommended. ( )