Witch Child is apparently the diary of a young girl from 1659-60 as she lives through the terrible time of witch phobia and witch trials in England and the New World near Salem. Mary is put on a boat with a group of highly patriarchal Puritan settlers bound for America after her grandmother is hung for being a witch. Mary falls under suspicion of being a witch herself, but she befriends some of the settlers and survives in the new settlement for a time. When she can no longer avoid the suspicions, rumours and fear that lead to untimely end for the unfortunate few who were too different in that time and place Mary tries to escape.
Witch Child appears to be based on a real diary that was found sewn into the lining of a quilt from that time period which makes the story all the more realistic and extraordinary. The story weaves an intriguing and suspenseful story of the history of that time and gives the reader a look at the prejudice and fearfulness that prevailed in those days leading to the persecution and death of some innocent people. I think this story would be an excellent catalyst to encourage teens to become interested in this time period or to encourage their interest in general historical topics.
Rees, C. (2000). Witch Child. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.
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