Once upon a time, in a quaint little village nestled among rolling hills, there stood a mysterious and enchanting tree. This tree was no ordinary tree, but a magical tree that held a secret inside. The villagers had heard tales and legends passed down from generation to generation about a hidden tree house that appeared and disappeared at will within the branches of this special tree. Featuring vibrant colors and intricate designs, this magical tree house was said to grant the wishes of those who managed to find it. Every child in the village dreamed of stumbling upon this wondrous tree house and having their wishes come true. Many of them would go on daring adventures, exploring every nook and cranny of the village and the surrounding forests, in hopes of being the lucky one to discover the tree house.
Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.
The ship is bound for Salem, Massachusetts not exactly the ideal time and place for a young girl with an independent spirit to escape from witchcraft accusations. She is different from her Puritan counterparts she refuses to be part of the flock and thus, incurs suspicions when times are hard and a scapegoat is necessary.
Many of them would go on daring adventures, exploring every nook and cranny of the village and the surrounding forests, in hopes of being the lucky one to discover the tree house. They knew that the key to finding it lay in their imaginations and intuition. One sunny morning, a young girl named Lily decided to embark on her own quest to find the magical tree house.
16 Books on the Salem Witch Trials to Kick Off Your Spooky Fall
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Holly Genovese
Staff WriterHolly Genovese is a Ph.D student in American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. She is also completing graduate portfolio programs in African and African Diaspora studies, as well as Women's and Gender Studies. Her writing has been published in Teen Vogue, The Washington Post, Electric Literature, The La Review of Books, Literary Hub, Hello Giggles, and many other places.
I visited Salem for the first time a few weeks ago, and I still haven’t processed the experience. I have been obsessed with going to Salem for what feels like my whole life. I’m very interested in the history of Puritans and the trials, but equally fascinated by the town’s current obsession with witchcraft, which manifests in everything from cool witch shops to hokey tourist traps. But because fall is coming (though it doesn’t feel like it yet), I thought I would put together a list of must read books on Salem (or Salem adjacent, really). This is by no means exhaustive (not sure if that is even possible), so please comment with your own suggestions!
Fiction
- The Crucible. I figured I would get this classic out of the way. Though I think Miller’s representation of the Witch Trials is overly relied on (it is an allegory for the McCarthy Trials! They aren’t the same thing!) it’s an important and good read.
Nonfiction
- The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal and Hysteria in 1692 Salem by Stacy Schiff. While not as academically rigorous as some non-fiction on the trials, Schiff’s book is an engaging account of the events and a great starting place for those with little familiarity with the history of Salem.
- A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Witch Trials and the American Experience by Emerson Baker. In A Storm of Witchcraft, historian Emerson Baker argues that the perfect “storm” of events enable the Salem Witch Trials, and places the trials in the context of the broader Atlantic world.
- The Salem Witch Trials Reader. This reader features primary source documents from the time of the trials and is a great resource.
- The Witchcraft of Salem Village by Shirley Jackson. Definitely written for children, The Witchcraft of Salem Village is a brief accounting of the trials, worth picking up if you are a fan of Jackson.
- The Specter of Salem: Remembering the Salem Witch Trials in Nineteenth Century Americaby Gretchen Adams. In The Specter of Salem, Adams focuses on the ways in which the Salem Witch Trails were enshrined in the collective memory of Americans. A fascinating read, especially taken in the context of the continued tourism and fascination with Salem.
- The Salem Witch Trials: A Day by Day Chronicle of a Community under Siege by Marilynne Roach. I’ve never read a book quite like this, as it’s really a very detailed timeline of the Salem Witch Trials. If you want a very concrete idea of the events, than you can do no better then this very thorough read.
- The Oxford Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Magic edited by Owen Davies. This edited collection focuses on much more than Salem, but gives greater context to the witch trials in America and their memory in America.
- Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft by Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum. In Salem Possessed, historians Boyer and Nissenbaum explore the social history of Salem and the lives of those that made the witch trials possible.
Witch Child delivered the same message as WOBP: life was hard. Italicize the “hard.” Triple underline it.
She believed in the mystical powers of the tree and was determined to make her dreams a reality. With a sense of wonder and excitement, she set off on her adventure. Lily wandered through dense forests, crossed babbling brooks, and climbed tall hills, all in search of the elusive tree house. She followed the whispering wind and the rustling leaves, trusting her instincts to guide her closer to her goal. Along the way, she met various creatures, both friendly and mischievous, who offered cryptic clues and riddles, testing her determination and wit. Days turned into weeks, and still, Lily persisted in her search. She refused to give up, fueled by her unwavering belief in the magic of the tree house. Through thick and thin, she remained resilient, pushing past obstacles and setbacks, unwavering in her determination. One fateful day, as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the landscape, Lily stumbled upon a well-hidden path. It seemed to beckon her, urging her to follow it deeper into the woods. With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, she followed the path, her heart pounding with anticipation. As she walked further down the path, the trees seemed to whisper her name. They reached out with their branches, as if guiding her towards her destination. And then, suddenly, she saw it—the magical tree house. Nestled among the branches of the mighty tree, it stood tall and majestic, just as the legends had described. Overwhelmed with joy and disbelief, Lily climbed up to the tree house, her heart pounding with excitement. The door creaked open, and she entered a world she had only dreamed of. The walls were adorned with vibrant paintings, depicting scenes from far-off lands. The air was filled with the sweet scent of adventure, and the sound of laughter echoed within. In that moment, Lily realized that the true magic of the tree house lay not in its ability to grant wishes, but in the journey and the resilience it took to find it. The magic was in the passion, determination, and unwavering belief in oneself, something that had been with her all along. From that day forward, Lily cherished her time in the magical tree house, using it as a sanctuary to cultivate her imagination and creativity. She knew that the real magic was not in the house itself, but in the power of dreams and the ability to make them come true through perseverance and unwavering belief. And so, the tale of the magical tree house lived on, inspiring generations of children to follow their dreams and venture into the unknown. It served as a reminder that magic exists not only in fairy tales but also in the hearts and minds of those who dare to dream..
Reviews for "From Dreams to Reality: Building Your Own Magical Tree House"
1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "Magical Tree House" to be extremely disappointing. The plot was predictable and lacked any real substance. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect or care about their journey. The writing style was also quite amateurish, with choppy sentences and awkward dialogue. Overall, I was highly disappointed and would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy story.
2. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
While "Magical Tree House" had an interesting concept, the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it took too long for the story to gain momentum. Additionally, I found the descriptions to be lacking in detail, making it difficult to envision the magical world the author was trying to create. The ending was also highly unsatisfying, leaving many unanswered questions and loose ends. Overall, I felt underwhelmed by this book and would not consider reading the sequel.
3. Emily - ★★☆☆☆
To put it simply, "Magical Tree House" was just not my cup of tea. The writing style seemed too simplistic and geared towards a younger audience, and I struggled to stay engaged with the story. The magic system was poorly explained, and the world-building felt lacking. Additionally, the main characters felt underdeveloped, and I didn't feel invested in their journey. While I see the potential appeal for younger readers, as an adult, I did not find this book enjoyable or memorable.