a great graphic novel that gives a historical look to the salem witch trials while also discussing the real world causes of the craze that happened.

I loved an Outbreak of Witchcraft. I appreciated the thorough factual presentation of the witch trials but with great illustrations!

An interesting version of an overview of the Salem Witch Trials.

Good for someone who wants to know a little about how they started and progressed, but I found it to be somewhat bitty and hard to follow as there were so many time jumps.

Good non-fiction version of the Salem Witch trials.

Good for teen readers to help understand this part of history.

I liked the synopsis before each part to explain the history.

The artwork was good and fitting for the topic.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this Graphic Novel. 3.5/5 stars

I've always been interested in the witch trials, but even more so after teaching the Crucible (and I still remember reading it myself in HS). I think this would be a good supplementary text to teaching the Crucible. I also think it is a good graphic novel that goes into the trials, but a lot of the context that is given (which is good context) still doesn't provide enough historical elements to truly understand parts of the story. It does mention all of the fighting that could have increased the tensions, but it doesn't really go in depth as to how it impacted the different people. Also, it just....missed some of the historical elements it needed.

The art was great, and I loved how the hysterics/group mania was depicted in the illustrations.

People just throw anybody under the bus... sheesh! I get it... self preservation, but still. The art in this graphic novel is beautiful and the storytelling pulls you right in. A great read for an older middle-grade reader.

An Outbreak of Witchcraft is an excellent non-fiction resource for anyone interested in learning the basics of the Salem Witch Trials. While it’s probably more geared towards upper elementary/middle school students, I did not find the content to be watered down. The graphic novel format gives this accessibility as the images help to bring more life to this historical topic. This graphic novel is nicely illustrated without the images being overly cartoony.

Content Warning: Some of the images do portray the victims and the way they die. The illustrations are not particularly graphic but could be difficult to look for a more sensitive child.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Little, Brown Ink and Netgalley!

When I think of the Salem Witch Trials, I think of “witches”, mostly women, burning at the stake. But apparently that is not really accurate. I learned so much reading this. It boggles my mind how people felt entitled to determine someone was a witch, when it was likely boredom or an undiagnosed mental illness. Innocent people were hanged just because others didn’t understand— it was just another form of religious persecution imo.
The arc was hard to read (the font was really small and it got blurry if you zoomed it), but I’ll be ordering a finished copy.

This was an interesting read! I liked how creepy the art was to match how unsettling this event is. I would probably recommend this for 7th grade and up because of how dark the topic is.

During the time between 1692 to 1693, fearmongering caused the death of over twenty lives. An Outbreak of Witchcraft is not the first time I have read about the Salem Witch Trials, and it will probably not be the last. I was drawn to this book because I haven’t seen the story told in graphic novel form. Due to its format, you are not getting the full scope of the events but it does a great job conveying what happened nonetheless. The images are also haunting. This would be a great introduction to the topic.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great portrayal of the Salem Witch Trials. As a teacher I am always looking for new ways to teach history and this will be an excellent addition to my classroom library. The art is engaging and while meant for younger readers, I think my high schoolers will still really enjoy it.

4 stars

An Outbreak of Witchcraft by Deborah Noyes offers a gripping and visually arresting journey into the heart of the Salem witch trials. This graphic novel captures the haunting atmosphere and intense paranoia that swept through Salem, Massachusetts, from 1692 to 1693.

The book effectively uses the graphic novel format to bring to life the fear and chaos that defined this dark period in American history. The illustrations are compelling and vividly depict the tension and mistrust that engulfed the community. From the initial accusations by Abigail Williams and Betty Paris to the tragic consequences faced by over twenty innocent victims, the artwork serves as a powerful vehicle for storytelling.

Noyes' narrative is well-researched and stays true to the historical events, providing a factual recounting of how the hysteria spiraled out of control. The book highlights the roles of various community members, from the afflicted who fueled the frenzy to the judges who abused their power, and the wrongly accused who paid with their lives. This multifaceted portrayal helps readers understand the complex social dynamics and the devastating impact of mass paranoia.

In summary, An Outbreak of Witchcraft is a commendable effort to bring a pivotal historical event to a broader audience through the medium of a graphic novel. Its visual storytelling is its strongest asset, effectively conveying the horror and madness of the Salem witch trials. However, the constraints of the format result in a somewhat superficial treatment of the complex subject matter, making it a compelling but somewhat incomplete portrayal of this tragic period. For readers new to the Salem witch trials, this graphic novel serves as an engaging introduction, though those seeking a deeper exploration may need to look elsewhere.

The Salem Witch Trials can be a rather heavy topic to digest. I think this graphic novelization of the history behind the trials makes it a little easier to take in for younger minds. The depictions of the hangings can be a little graphic but I'm also a fan of history not being sanitized. History is ugly - plain hard facts. I think this graphic novel would be a great introduction to the topic of witchcraft hysteria in the early days of America's history for younger folks.

The story is dark, of course, but the illustrations make it even creepier. The reading level is high, so I would assume that it would need to be purchased and recommended for teens rather than children. I hoped I could suggest it for my own kids, 8 and 10, but I think it is too scary for them.

The Salem Witch Trials are undoubtedly one of American history's most intriguing and darkest periods. If you have ever been captivated by this period and want to experience paranoia at its worst, then 'An Outbreak of Witchcraft: A Graphic Novel of the Salem Witch Trials' is a must-read.

Deborah Noyes, the author, and M. Dolly, the illustrator, have done an excellent job capturing the essence of the trials in a graphic novel. The book is a masterpiece that portrays the trials in a way that makes you feel like you're there, witnessing the events firsthand.

The illustrations are gorgeously rendered, and the dialogue is brilliantly written. They make you feel like you're in the chaos, experiencing the trials with the accusers, the accused, and the witnesses.

'An Outbreak of Witchcraft' is a fantastic read for anyone interested in history, particularly the Salem Witch Trials. It's a gripping, real-life story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to learn more. Consider gifting it to history buffs or anyone who loves a good dark story.

Thank you, @netgalley @littlebrownyoungreaders, for the complimentary ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Very informative but very hard to read. The text appears blurry and the graphics are hard to make out. It may be the NetGalley app - I will check this out once published to see if there is a difference.

This was a wonderful format to learn about the Salem Witch Trials. I’m in seventh grade and the story/ information was so much easier to digest because this was a graphic novel. It was sad to see the horrors that women went through at the time. This book is thought provoking. It made me want to read more about the subject and talk about it with my mom. Overall I give it 4.5 stars for the style in which the various incidents are relayed and the beautiful illustrations.

Everyone knows about the Salem Witch Trials, but this graphic novel tried to bring more detail and clarity to how the trails got so out of hand. Hunger, illness, fear of violence and extreme boredom seem the recipe for disaster in this terrible time in history. Men and women, children and elders - no one was safe from accusations of witchcraft.

Woo hoo! This is a super YA nonfiction book for classroom use. It’s a blend of graphic novel and prose which will be accessible to all readers. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the Salem Witch Trials as a graphic novel but I love this! The art adds so much emotion, immediacy, and fear to the story. it’s clear that parts of the text are directly drawn from the trial (or used with little adaptation), while other people are brought more to life m this format (young Dorothy and Tituba). This is sure to be a thought provoking and much discussed read in ELA or US social studies classes. I can’t wait to get my hands on a hard copy, I’ll definitely be building an academic unit around this one, I’ve always liked Noyes work, we need more like this!

A historically accurate graphic novel of the salme witch trials
A reverand goes on a witch hunt after finding his daughter listening to tales from Tituba
Soon the village of salems young girls are accusing multiple people of witchcraft leading to the mass trials and deaths of the citizens of salem
I loved the added historical notes and artwork
The formatting through the netgalley app was hard to see amd navigate
But the watermarks were placed in the bottom corner of the book vs the middle, making it easier to read then other watermarked ARCs