A Break with Charity facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Ann Rinaldi |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Great Episodes |
| Genre | Historical fiction |
| Publisher | Harcourt |
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Publication date
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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.
Contents
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.
