Plus, you cannot have a Salem book list without mentioning novels that are a tad fantastical and fun like Evanovich’s Wicked Appetite. We also added in a few of our own favorite Salem Witch Trials books, including many Salem books for young adults and middle-grade students. Find Crystal’s suggestions marked at the end of each summary with an asterisk. We know that you’ll appreciate Crystal’s diverse Salem book recommendations paired with her recent travel experiences. We crave educational and fantastical books about the Salem Witch Trials as well as books set in Salem, MA that will take us there - especially since we live in NC now.Īlthough we are New England donut-eating and cider-drinking gods and goddesses, we also consulted a Salem Witch expert.ĭark and spooky tourism specialist, Crystal of Wandering Crystal, certainly knows the best books about the Salem Witch Trials, including all of the classics that we read in high school. Of course, we had to satiate our fascination with women in history, too. Salem is also full of stories about pirates, ghouls, and witches. Even in our 30’s and 40’s, we still adore corn mazes and apple picking.īecause we grew up in Connecticut, we would head to Salem, Massachusetts around Halloween for the haunted bed and breakfasts. Think magnificent fall foliage and plentiful pumpkins and cinnamon cider donuts. Plus, find a Salem book or two with magical cupcakes, boarding school drama, and mean girls. Ages 12 up.Uncover books set in Salem, MA, and the best Salem Witch Trials books for adults and teens. The expressive writing, masterful tension, and parallels to modern group dynamics create a powerful and relevant page-turner. 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.

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. 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. Two girls, eight and 12, fall violently ill, having seizures and singling out neighbors as witches. Hemphill (Your Own, Sylvia) plumbs the psychological underpinnings of the Salem witch trials in blank verse monologues from three of the main accusers.

Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill