A Break with Charity, a Review

A Break with Charity: A Story about the Salem Witch Trials

Ann Rinaldi

Gulliver Books, San Diego, Ca.
GENRE: Historical Fiction
THEME: Salem Witch Trials, Witchcraft, Salem History.
RL/IL: Young Adult: Grades 7-10.
AWARDS: ALA Best Book for Young Adults and New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age.
PAGES: 295
Warnings: Witchcraft

Rinaldi explores the Salem witchcraft hysteria through a lyrical novel. She chooses Susanna English, a real ancestor of Nathaniel Hawthorne, as her narrator. Although she was a real person Rinaldi fictionalizes her role as an observer during the Salem trials.
Initially, Susanna desperately wants to join a special circle of girls who meet every week to socialize. She is horrified when she finds out that the girls are deliberately seeking attention by acting bewitched. As Rinaldi states in her Author’s Note, these girls were stuck in teenage limbo, an age where there is nothing to do or be. And so they became mischievous, partaking in pleasures not approved by council. When they turn the blame on others and begin accusing community members as being witches, the Salem chaos begins. Unfortunately, Susanna, the one person who knows the truth, keeps quiet until the end.
Rinaldi has done her research and written a powerful tale. She intricately molds history and fiction, giving real people fictional characteristics and situations. There are many truths to this historical piece, which makes it an excellent tool to sort fiction and non-fiction.
REVIEWED BY: Marcie Pickelsimer
CONNECTIONS:
Beyond the Burning Time
Girl in Blue
Witch Child