Priscilla Foster: The Story of a Salem Girl (Her Story Series) [Paperback]

Dorothy Hoobler (Author), Thomas Hoobler (Author), Robert Gantt Steele (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Her Story Series

Hannah listens to Granny Priss's story about the Salem witch trials of 1692 and is stunned when she learns that her grandmother, along with Ann Putnam and others, had been personally involved in accusing innocent women of being witches sixty years ago.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6. Both of these books get off to a slow start, but they eventually draw readers into the action. Florence's father has returned home to Mississippi at the end of World War I and realizes he wants the same rights as those of the town's white citizens. His outspoken behavior makes him and his family unwelcome in Parkersville and they move to Chicago. There, Florence discovers a different way of life, as well as jazz music. She is a runner-up in an essay contest sponsored by the Chicago Defender (the black newspaper), for which children are asked to write about why their family came to the city. In the happy ending, her mother adjusts to urban living and there is money for her father to record his own jazz piece on the piano. The story of Florence and her family illustrates the difficult times experienced by African Americans in the early 20th century. Priscilla, now a grandmother, shares the story of her involvement in the Salem Witch Trials with her granddaughter, Hannah. The slow-moving dialogue doesn't pick up until the second or third chapter when readers discover that Granny Priss and her friends' actions actually began the hysteria. Each book includes a helpful time line of the events as well as an endnote about the historical situations that form the basis of the stories. The excellent-quality, full-color illustrations effectively convey a sense of time and place. These titles offer readers glimpses into important events in American history from a feminine point of view.?Allison Trent Bernstein, Blake Middle School, Medfield, MA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-6. The latest offering in the Her Story series recounts the Salem witch trials of 1692. Granny Priss takes her granddaughter Hannah on a pilgrimage to the site of the Salem hangings, and along the way, she relates her own childhood participation in the inquiries. She explains Puritan views on witchcraft, the circumstances that led a group of young girls to accuse others of sorcery, and the reasons those investigations finally ended. An appended section includes a time line and clarification of the real events. Although the large print and color illustrations will be welcomed by younger audiences, the authors have not sanitized their account, and some story details may disturb readers. However, having Granny tell Hannah the story does help distance readers from the reality of those tragic events, making it more palatable for the intended audience. Kay Weisman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 123 pages
• Publisher: Silver Burdett Pr (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0382396413
• ISBN-13: 978-0382396410
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,245,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Her Story book., February 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Priscilla Foster: The Story of a Salem Girl (Her Story Series) (Paperback)

This book is about Priscilla Foster, a 12 year old girl living in Salem in 1692. Priscilla's friends have started accusing innocent people of being witches and before she knows it Priscilla has joined them in accusing people. Priscilla wants to stop but she finds herself unable to. This is my favorite Her Story book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Her Story Book, February 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Priscilla Foster: The Story of a Salem Girl (Her Story) (Library Binding)

Priscilla Foster is one of the girls who see witches in the Salem Witch Trials. She tells her grand-daughter about her tragic and terrifying tale. Gives a must-read account of the trials.

3.0 out of 5 stars salem witch trial, February 27, 2010

By 

teacher (Ohio) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Priscilla Foster: The Story of a Salem Girl (Her Story Series) (Paperback)

I use this book in a high school english/social studies class as a replacement for the Crucible. The lower reading level allows students access to the content material of the salem witch trials.