Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hemphill, Stephanie. Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials. New York, NY: Balzer + Bray, A division of Harper Collins. ISBN 0061853283

PLOT SUMMARY

Written in verse, Wicked Girls tells a fictionalized account of the Salem Witch trials both stirred and seen by three real young girls living in Salem in 1692. The story is told from the perspectives of Ann Putnam Jr, Mercy Lewis, and Margaret Walcott as their initial girls’ play unfolds into accusations, power struggles, and death.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

     Wicked Girls is a story reflecting a time in history that equally translates to issues of cliques, exclusive groups, and social power relevant to young adults today. Using 17^th century language and vocabulary in the verse and dialogue of the text –“We can tell fortunes…But that be a sin…Not if none does catch us”- adds to the credibility of the characters and story. Similes, such as “And for the first time I recall / Missus looks at Ann / as though she is something / precious, dear as her necklace of gems” and personification, like in “night crawls over the house / Footsteps creep down the hall…” offer insight to the girls’ thoughts and experiences.

      Author Stephanie Hemphill is able to impart story information slowly with maximum effect through the use of free verse with short stanzas and narrator changes, such as the relationship between Margaret and Isaac, the jealously towards Mercy, the developing friendships, and the girls’ fabricated afflictions.

      Quick narrative imparts a feeling of uncertainty as the “afflicted” girls’ story is woven in the thoughts and points of view of Ann, Mercy, and Margaret. Multiple narrators add complexity that moves the story forward. This is evident in the power held by the girls as “seers” within the community –“We have been given a power here, we must retain…” (Mercy) as well as the struggle for power within the group –“We shall return to nothing, if we are not seers” (Ann); “We have been choosing who to see. And who are we to choose? This must end” (Mercy). The ensuing story eventually leads to cruelty, broken friendships, and death.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

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 PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY – “The expressive writing, masterful tension, and parallels to modern group dynamics create a powerful and relevant page-turner.”
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.”

CONNECTIONS

*Find a Poetry Workshop & Discussion Guide for the book here.                                                

*More about the Salem Witch Trials here.                                                                                   

*Another book by Stephanie Hemphill:                                                                                         

Hemphill, Stephanie. Your Own, Silvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Path. ISBN 0440239680           

*More books about the Salem Witch Trials:                                                                             

Aronson, Marc. Witch Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. ISBN 0689848641                                                                        

Hearn, Julie. The Minister’s Daughter. ISBN 0689876912                                                         

Rinaldi, Ann. A Break from Charity: A Story about the Salem Witch Trials. ISBN 0152046828