History Smashers: Salem Witch Trials

Think you know the truth about the Salem Witch Trials? Get ready to have everything you thought you knew spectacularly smashed!

In 1692, a few paranoid Puritans accused their neighbors of witchcraft — and things spiralled wildly out of control. But how much of what we've been told is actually true? History Smashers: Salem Witch Trials digs beneath the myths and misconceptions to uncover what really happened in that infamous New England town, making it a perfect pick for curious middle-grade readers who love history with a side of surprises. Part of the hit History Smashers nonfiction series, it's a must-read for fans of I Survived and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.

• Myth-Busting History: Were women really burned at the stake? Were women the only ones caught up in the chaos? This book tackles the big misconceptions head-on and replaces legend with the far more fascinating truth.
• Engaging for Reluctant Readers: Kate Messner's witty, fast-paced writing style and Falynn Koch's illustrations make even the most complex historical events accessible, exciting, and laugh-out-loud fun.
• Critical Thinking Skills: By exploring how religious beliefs, social pressures, and a changing world collided to create disaster, young readers are encouraged to question what they think they know about history — and why it matters.
• Series Appeal: A brilliant entry point into the acclaimed History Smashers series, with plenty more myth-demolishing titles to discover once this one is devoured.

About the Author

Kate Messner is an award-winning author of books for young readers, including the acclaimed History Smashers nonfiction series. Known for her ability to make history thrilling and accessible, she has a gift for uncovering the surprising, unsettling, and often hilarious truths hiding beneath familiar stories. Falynn Koch is an illustrator and graphic novelist whose dynamic artwork brings history vividly to life throughout the series.

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