Bridget Bishop was one of the first individuals to be accused and tried as a witch during the notorious Salem witch trials of the 17th century. The trials, which took place between 1692 and 1693 in Salem, Massachusetts, were a dark period in American history where hysteria and superstition led to the wrongful execution of several individuals. Bridget Bishop, a woman known for her flamboyant lifestyle and unconventional behavior, quickly became a target of suspicion. She was accused of bewitching people, causing strange occurrences and ailments within the community. Many believed that she practiced dark magic and had formed a pact with the Devil. During her trial, several witnesses testified against Bridget, claiming that they had experienced supernatural events in her presence.
Plot Summary: Bean would be describes as a tomboy; she wears dresses as seldom as possible, isn't afraid to get dirty, and loves to play pranks on her older sister, Nancy. Bean's mother tries to encourage her to be nicer to her sister and to play with the new neighbor, Ivy who Bean thinks is the polar opposite of herself (AKA boring). Until one day, while Bean was trying to pull a prank on Nancy, Ivy comes out of her house in a black robe with stars and moon shaped pieces of paper and a golden stick and Bean is intrigued and can't help but ask Ivy what she's up to. Ivy then explains how she's going to do magic when suddenly, Bean realizes her sister is stepping on the prank and Nancy is telling Bean to get out of the bushes. As Bean's plans fall to pieces and Nancy threatening to tell their mother, Bean runs away and asks Ivy to hide her and Iby complies. They start to talk and Ivy explains how she's practicing to become a witch and practice her spells. Ivy then shows Bean her room and Bean can't help but be interested in the separating lines in Ivy's room which divide different sections (dressing room, a doll area, and an art area). They talk more and plan to put a dancing spell on Nancy as revenge. Bean paints Ivy's face to make it more witch-like so her powers become stronger. For the dancing spell, they need words so they sneak past different backyards to get to Bean's backyard because it is full of worms. They collect more than 13 worms in a bucket and go and find Nancy. They find her in the dining room table talking about Bean negatively. Bean becomes so overwhelmed with anger that she screams through the window and Nancy tries to drag her in the house but Iby intervenes and when Nancy starts being mean to Ivy, Bean throws worms at Nancy and as they run away and hide from Nancy, Nancy slips in the mud and lands in a puddle with more worms. Bean gets in trouble (but not too much because Bean's mom laughed a little at the situation). Bean and Ivy decide they were going to see each other again the next day and the next day.
Plot Summary Bean would be describes as a tomboy; she wears dresses as seldom as possible, isn t afraid to get dirty, and loves to play pranks on her older sister, Nancy. My son who is between the girls has shown no interest to the books, but he did listen as his sister read it to me, usually while he did his piano practice.
During her trial, several witnesses testified against Bridget, claiming that they had experienced supernatural events in her presence. Some accused her of causing illness, fits, and unexplained phenomena. Others claimed that she had tried to possess them or had appeared in their dreams.
Ivy and Bean witchcraft practitioner
Series: This is the first book in the Ivy and Bean series. This book explains the start of the friendship of two opposite girls living on the same street and just one of their adventures.
Plot Summary: Bean would be describes as a tomboy; she wears dresses as seldom as possible, isn't afraid to get dirty, and loves to play pranks on her older sister, Nancy. Bean's mother tries to encourage her to be nicer to her sister and to play with the new neighbor, Ivy who Bean thinks is the polar opposite of herself (AKA boring). Until one day, while Bean was trying to pull a prank on Nancy, Ivy comes out of her house in a black robe with stars and moon shaped pieces of paper and a golden stick and Bean is intrigued and can't help but ask Ivy what she's up to. Ivy then explains how she's going to do magic when suddenly, Bean realizes her sister is stepping on the prank and Nancy is telling Bean to get out of the bushes. As Bean's plans fall to pieces and Nancy threatening to tell their mother, Bean runs away and asks Ivy to hide her and Iby complies. They start to talk and Ivy explains how she's practicing to become a witch and practice her spells. Ivy then shows Bean her room and Bean can't help but be interested in the separating lines in Ivy's room which divide different sections (dressing room, a doll area, and an art area). They talk more and plan to put a dancing spell on Nancy as revenge. Bean paints Ivy's face to make it more witch-like so her powers become stronger. For the dancing spell, they need words so they sneak past different backyards to get to Bean's backyard because it is full of worms. They collect more than 13 worms in a bucket and go and find Nancy. They find her in the dining room table talking about Bean negatively. Bean becomes so overwhelmed with anger that she screams through the window and Nancy tries to drag her in the house but Iby intervenes and when Nancy starts being mean to Ivy, Bean throws worms at Nancy and as they run away and hide from Nancy, Nancy slips in the mud and lands in a puddle with more worms. Bean gets in trouble (but not too much because Bean's mom laughed a little at the situation). Bean and Ivy decide they were going to see each other again the next day and the next day.
Plot Structure: The books chapters are episodic. You need to read the whole book in order to actually understand the entire story. The book is targeted for children in grades 3-5 and according to the Dormouse, around ages 7-10, children are actively using fantasy in their play and you see that when the two girls believe that Ivy has magic powers and can actually cast spells.
Strong Vocabulary: The dialogue in the book is easy enough for children in stage 6 (evolving reader) to comprehend. The few pictures do offer some support and the child may have to use context clues to understand any complicated idea in the book.
- Bean: Rebellious, mischievous, and hates wearing dresses.
- Ivy: Opposite of Bean. Red long hair, loves to read, and a girly girl.
- Nancy: Bean's older sister who is the butt of all of Bean's pranks.
- Bean's Mother: Tells Bean to be nice to her sister and to befriend the Ivy.
- Mrs. Trantz: Next door neighbor with a nice, organized garden who doesn't like kids.
Relationship of Pictures to Words: The relationship is complementary because the few, black and white photos add little support to the story's plot. They do help the reader get a clear picture, though.
Themes/Central Concepts: Friendship, magic, sibling relationships, and getting into trouble.
One of the big problems of being a kid is that your parents often try to make you play with people you don’t really like. My parents were forever trying to get me to like the kids of their friends. These kids were often weird. I didn’t want to play with them. It was a problem.
Despite her protests of innocence, Bridget was found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death by hanging. On June 10, 1692, she became the first person to be executed in the Salem witch trials. The trials of suspected witches in Salem were fueled by fear, ignorance, and religious extremism. The community was gripped by paranoia, and anyone who deviated from the societal norms or held unconventional beliefs was seen as a potential threat. Accusations were often based on hearsay and circumstantial evidence, with no proper investigation or adherence to legal procedures. The trials eventually came to an end after many innocent lives were lost, and the community realized the grave injustice that had taken place. In the years that followed, the Salem witch trials became a cautionary tale, reminding society of the dangers of mass hysteria, blind faith, and the need for due process. Bridget Bishop's story serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences that can arise when fear and superstition overshadow reason and justice. Her trial and execution were wrongful, driven by baseless accusations and a fervent belief in the supernatural. The Salem witch trials stand as a testament to the dangers of unchecked prejudice and the importance of upholding the principles of justice and tolerance in any society..
Reviews for "The Witchcraft Panic: Unraveling the Accusation of Bridget Bishop"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I found "Bridget Bishop and the Trials of Suspected Witches in 17th Century Salem" to be quite underwhelming. While the topic itself is fascinating, the book failed to deliver on many levels. The writing felt disjointed and lacked a clear focus, making it difficult to follow the narrative. There were also several instances where the author relied on excessive speculation instead of providing concrete evidence or analysis. Overall, I was disappointed with the lack of depth and thorough research in this book.
2. Robert - 1 star
This book on the trials of suspected witches in 17th-century Salem was a huge disappointment. The author seemed more interested in sensationalism than in presenting a well-grounded historical account. The writing style was juvenile, with repetitive phrases and a lack of nuance. It felt like reading a poorly constructed fiction novel, rather than a well-researched history book. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the Salem witch trials.
3. Rebecca - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Bridget Bishop and the Trials of Suspected Witches in 17th Century Salem" but was ultimately let down. The author's biased tone and lack of objectivity made it difficult to take the book seriously. There were also several inaccuracies and overgeneralizations throughout, which undermined the credibility of the author's arguments. I wanted a comprehensive and well-researched account of the trials, but this book failed to deliver that. If you're looking for a serious historical analysis, this is not the book for you.
4. John - 1 star
I regret purchasing "Bridget Bishop and the Trials of Suspected Witches in 17th Century Salem." The book was filled with errors, including incorrect dates and misidentified individuals. It seemed as though the author did not take the time to fact-check or validate the information before publishing. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked any compelling elements that could have kept me engaged. I would advise against wasting your time and money on this poorly executed book.