Sacrifice
Sacrifice . Kathleen Benner Duble; McElderry Books (S & S), 2005.
Grade Level: 6-8
Hardcover ISBN: 0689876505 $15.95
Paperback ISBN: 0689876513 $5.99 (release date – 8/28/07)
Synopsis: In 1692, life changes forever for ten-year-old Abigail and her family. Abigail and her sister are accused of being witches when fear and panic spread from Salem to their hometown of Andover, Massachusetts. They await trial in a prison while their mother desperately searches for some way to obtain their freedom.
General Review: It is the year 1692 and widespread fear and panic is sweeping Massachusetts. A family finds themselves in the center of it when the two daughters are accused of being witches. Based on the author’s own ancestors, the story introduces a unique look at the effects the trail had throughout Massachusetts not just in Salem. This well-written novel will have wide appeal. It captures the effects of community fear and the evil of false accusations.
Awards: Starred review in Booklist, 2007 Nominee ALA Best Book for Young Readers, School Library Guild Selection
Themes: Mothers & Daughters, Sisters, Witchcraft, Puritans, Family life
Author Information:
Discussion Questions: Standard 3, Benchmark 3
What beliefs of Puritan life in 1692 do you believe we still hold on to today?
Can you think of another situation either now or in the past, where fear has overcome reason? (e.g. the McCarthy era) What were the consequences of this?
If you had lived during that time, what entertainment might you have substituted or how might you have expressed yourself artistically to make up for the lack of theater, museums, TV, computer, movies etc.?
Abigail’s world was one where conformity to the group was important – and yet she wanted to be an individual. Do you think this is still true today? Why or why not?
What situations in today’s world reflect a lack of reason and a “mob mentality”? (e.g. riots after a sporting event) What would you do if faced with this situation?
Activities:
Create a dramatic reenactment of the Salem Witch Trials. Standard 3, Benchmark 4.
Design and create a memorial for the victims of the Salem Witch Trials. Use the information @ to find actual names of people involved in the trials. Standard 3, Benchmark 4.
Write a feature article (with a headline) that tells the story of the book as it might be found on the front page of a newspaper in the town where the story takes place. Make sure it is time period appropriate. Standard 5, Benchmark 3.
Follow-up Reading:
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Witch by Celia Rees
Catch a Tiger by the Toe by Ellen Levine
A Break with Charity: A Story about the Salem Witch Trials by Ann Rinaldi