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A Break with Charity
Ann Rinaldi - A Break With Charity A Story About the Salem Witch Trials.jpeg
First edition
Author Ann Rinaldi
Country United States
Language English
Series Great Episodes
Genre Historical fiction
Publisher Harcourt
Publication date
15 September 1992
Media type Print (hardback & paperback)
Pages 272 pp (1st HB)
ISBN 978-0-15-200353-1 (1st HB)
OCLC 25548979
LC Class PZ7.R459 Br 1993
Preceded by A Ride into Morning 
Followed by The Fifth of March 

A Break with Charity: A Story about the Salem Witch Trials (ISBN: 978-0-15-204682-8) is a historical novel by Ann Rinaldi. It was released in 1992. This book is part of the Great Episodes series. It tells a fictional story based on real events from the Salem witch trials.

What is the Story About?

This book takes place during the famous Salem witch trials of 1692. It follows a young girl named Susanna English. She is the middle child in her family. Her older sister Mary and brother William are away at sea.

Susanna's Wish and a Dangerous Group

Susanna really wants to join a special group of girls. These girls meet every night at the Reverend's house. The group's leader is a girl named Ann Putnam. Ann is about to start a wave of false accusations. These accusations will lead to many innocent people being punished in Salem.

The Plan and Susanna's Choice

Ann starts naming people as witches. She often picks people her own mother dislikes. The important leaders of Salem believe these accusations. Ann tells Susanna all about their secret plan. But she warns Susanna not to tell anyone. If Susanna speaks up, Ann threatens to accuse Susanna's own parents of being witches.

Susanna faces a very difficult choice. She must decide whether to stay quiet or to "break charity." Breaking charity means telling secrets or speaking out against someone. If she breaks charity, her family could be in danger.

False Accusations and a New Belief

Later, the girls who are making the accusations turn on Susanna's family. They accuse her mother and father of being witches. This happens even though Susanna kept Ann's secret. At first, Susanna starts to believe that witches are real.

Finding the Truth and Taking Action

However, her future husband, Johnathon, helps her. He arranges for Susanna to meet someone who has been accused of being a witch. This meeting helps Susanna see that the accusations are not true. She realizes that these "witches" are just ordinary people.

Susanna finally decides to speak up. She tells Joseph, Ann's uncle, what she knows. Joseph is a leader among those who do not believe in the witch accusations. Together, with help from powerful people like magistrates (judges), they work to stop the trials.

The Aftermath

Fourteen years later, Susanna returns to Salem. She hears Ann Putnam apologize for all the innocent people who were accused and punished. This story is based on the real historical events of 1692.

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