The Salem Witch Trials: An Interactive History Adventure (You Choose: History) by Matt Doeden

The Salem Witch Trials: An Interactive History Adventure (You Choose: History) Reviews

• 
  Stephanie ((Strazzybooks))

  This wasn't as good as the other interactive history adventures in the series - it seemed less detailed and engaging, which is odd for such an intriguing subject.
  You choose your adventure between being a boy whose mom gets accused, an accuser, and the accused. The book did do a good job of making the Salem Witch Trials accessible for students and I liked the language they used. I do wish it had introduced some of the possible reasons of 'why', instead of just saying people still don't know.
  The book does provide additional links for more research and some classroom activities, which are interesting.
• 
  Tiffany Neal

  I loved these type of books when I was younger. The choose your own path books give you the chance to be the character. In this new "series" of books though, they are non fiction, and the kids get to go back in tome and live as their ancestors did. Quick read, yet extremely informative and interesting, and of course I had to try every path! ;) I have a feeling these books will be a hit in my classroom.
• 
  T

  These rebooted Choose Your Own Adventure titles really slap. It’s GenX/Elder Millennial nostalgia at its best.
• 
  Kelly Eggen

  The Salem Witch Trials was a dark time in American history: innocent men and women were being accused of witchcraft and were executed despite there being no proof besides hearsay. Imagine being a part of this treacherous time and the challenges you would be forced to face. This book lets you do just that! You can choose to be either an accused witch, an accuser, or the son of an accused witch. Throughout the story, you make different decisions which impact your ultimate outcome: life or death.
  
  This book is written in a very unique format. Depending on the choices you make, you then flip to a certain page (ex: "Turn to page 53 to turn yourself in, Turn to page 72 to defend your innocence"). It can be a bit confusing, however, it is extremely interactive and fun. It allows the reader to be the main character who's in charge of their own destiny, and it will leave them on the edge of their seat the whole time. Although it is in a story format, it is still very informative and sticks to pure facts. Also, every few pages has a drawing from the trials and a fun fact beneath it. This helps to keep reader's attention and the art has tremendous detail that is very historically accurate and adds to the story. Also, in the back of the book there is a timeline of key events from the trials and also a glossary to define terms young readers may not know, such as protestant. Although this story was pretty good, I would have preferred for there to be a bit more excitement, since the author did not talk about some of the most interesting aspects of the trials.
• 
  Debra Jo Reads

  really cool for a learning experience.
• 
  Alex

  I’m really enjoying these books, but if you know anything at all about Salem’s history it’s way too easy to make the “right” decisions here.
• 
  Derek

  A fun, simple read about the Salem Witch Trials told in a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ style Book. While not complete with all details of the event, it has enough to help pique the interest of a student as to help get them going on more reading. I will definitely be using it to help get my 6th and 7th graders reading next year, especially in October when they often as for LOTS of different “scary books” in the Library.
• 
  Leslie

  Having read The Crucible last year (Thank you, "Molly's Game"!), I was intrigued to learn more about the Salem Witch Trials. So, I've been searching for any and all books related to this.
  
  I really didn't know what the "interactive" part would entail, as I've never read a book like this. And I didn't realize it was written for a younger audience. However, it's still kind of a fun read, because of that aspect. Very minimized though but that only makes sense b/c of the target audience.
  
  
• 
  Farrah

  Fun "choose your own adventure"! I learned that this occurred in the late 17th century.
• 
  Caroline P.

  I guess I liked this book, I mean the whole "choose your own" thing was neat, but it really was just... not my type. And whenever I read it I got freaked out, because the front cover is really creepy. Really creepy. Like, scary.I also felt like I was going to the same page over and over again, (not the beginning) Someone also told me to always pick the lying or bad choices, but that always made me feel guilty. Even though it was a book. So I died a lot of times. Or my mother did. Or I was shunned. Were there even any happy endings? It must have been scary. Living then. I don't know that I would recommend this book to anyone, unless they were looking for a quick read for their thirty book challenge.
• 
  Jodi

  Another book Emily read first and then told me I had to read too! I am a huge reader and so when she askes me to read something, I try to honor it. I guess it is kind of like our own private book club. I understand the appeal of this book to young readers and getting to make decisions in the book to see how things would turn out. However, from an adult perspective and as a huge historical fiction fan, I found this book pretty shallow and not as deeply interesing as I found books like "The Witch of Blackbird Pond," "Number the Stars," or "Johnny Tremain."
• 
  Amanda

  This book seemed to do well being historically correct. However, every ending seemed to be horrible. There were hardly any choices, which was a let down. I realize this is a young kids book, but there are some out there that are better (of course, some are worse). This is about mediocre as far as "choose your own adventure/fate/choice" type books good.
  I love the pictures. They are done beautifully. I just wish it fit better on a Kindle Fire screen. I also enjoyed the list of the victims and information about this horrible time in U.S. history.
• 
  Murray5thgrade2015

  Honestly I think that this book,(The Salem Witch Trials: An Interactive History Adventure), really made me happy that I live in this time period as appose to back then where the "Salem Witch Trials"
  and there were lots of trials! I don't think I want to die in a Salem Witch Trial! I don't think people back in that time want to die like that! ~fluffykitty-4
• 
  Eryka J

  It was described in great detail. It told how people were accused but they explained it instead of just saying. You didn't have to guess what you think is next because of how it was explained. They held you in suspense going from paragraph to paragraph. Also from page to page. They made being told about history fun. Cause they didn't just say this and this happened. They described it.
• 
  Jaguar

  Have you ever wondered what it’d be like during the Salem Witch Trials? By reading this book, you will be placed back in time to experience the history. You Choose, and You Decide.
  
  2016-Summer-Reading-Review
• 
  Krista

  This looks interesting (meant for young readers). You choose your path and story includes "3 paths, 39 choices, and 15 endings".
• 
  Hayley

  Also read for work. This series is a good way to introduce young, reluctant readers to non-fiction and mix facts with narration in an interesting manner.
• 
  Geni

  You Choose Books. 3 Story paths, 39 choices 15 endings.