Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hemphill, Stephanie. 2010. Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials. New York,
NY: Balzer + Bray. ISBN 978-0061853289
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Stephanie Hemphill tells a story that many have heard before
by utilizing verse. Her story spans over
400 pages and focuses on three girls who accuse local town people of witchcraft. This familiar storyline tells of the girls’
afflictions and how the naïve townspeople believe them. The girls state that
the afflictions are caused by the Devil and witchcraft are fully aware that
their false accusations are destroying people’s lives. Even with this understanding that the fallacies
are destructive, the girls seem high on the power that the afflictions have
given them.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Hemphill is the winner of the Myra Cohn Livingston Ward for
Excellence in Poetery, SCBWI Magazine Merit Award in Poetry, and is a Printz
Honor winner.
Due to the verse, and possibly the length of the text, there
may be some confusion in determining which character is speaking. No discernable difference is made between the
different characters, making it difficult to adequately follow the
storyline. Without a previous knowledge
of the plot, it may be difficult for some readers to comprehend the story.
Even with the absence of apparent rhyming, the verses
maintain a rhythm that educes an emotional response from the reader. The nuances of conflicted emotions are
clearly demonstrated throughout the text, and readers empathize with the girls
due to stark similarities with present day bullying issues.
The addition of the section at the end of the book that
describes the characters in details is helpful.
A recommendation to readers to start with this section may alleviate
some of the character confusion that occurs throughout the book.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred Review in Kirkus:
“In subtle, spare first-person free-verse poems, the author skillfully
demonstrates how ordinary people may come to commit monstrous acts. Haunting
and still frighteningly relevant.”
Starred Review in Booklist:
“Once again, Hemphill's raw, intimate poetry probes behind the abstract
facts and creates characters that pulse with complex emotion.”
Starred Review in School Library Journal: “The verse format is fresh and engaging, distilling
the actions of the seven accusing girls into riveting narrative.”
Starred Review in Publishers Weekly: “The expressive writing, masterful tension,
and parallels to modern group dynamics create a powerful and relevant
page-turner."
5. CONNECTIONS
*The
audiobook of Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill. ASIN B007UIVUM
*Other books
about the Salem Witch Trials:
Rinaldi, Ann. A Break With Charity: A Story About the Salem
Witch Trials. ISBN 978-0152046828
Aronson, Marc. Witch-Hunt:Mysteries of the Salem Witch
Trial. ISBN 978-1416903154
Duble, Kathleen B. The Sacrifice. ISBN 978-0689876516
*Other books by Stephanie Hemphill
Sisters of Glass. ISBN 978-0375861093
Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath. ISBN 978-0440239680
Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath. ISBN 978-0440239680