About the Book, courtesy of the publisher:
Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and willful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live.
Often at odds with one another, mother and daughter are forced to stand together against the escalating hysteria of the trials and the superstitious tyranny that led to the torture and imprisonment of more than 200 people accused of witchcraft.
This is the story of Martha's courageous defiance and ultimate death, as told by the daughter who survived.
Kathleen Kent is a tenth generation descendent of Martha Carrier. She paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England, but also of one family's deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution.
About the Author, courtesy of the publisher:
Kathleen Kent is a tenth-generation descendant of Martha Carrier. She is also a masterful storyteller, and in her first novel she paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England but also of one family’s deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution. Learn more about her on Kathleen Kent's website at http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/features/hereticsdaughter/author.htm
Reading Group Guide, courtesy of the publisher:
1) How was Sarah changed by living with her cousin Margaret? How was she changed by returning to her family?
2) What was it about Martha's character that seemed to antagonize so many neighbors?
3) What do you think was the most compelling reason that Martha was eventually brought to trial?
4) Discuss the various factors that lead to the witch hysteria.
5) Why did Martha choose to take a stand of innocence knowing that a refused confession meant death?
6) Why did Thomas, despite his size and capabilities, not seek to persuade or deter Martha from her course of action?
7) Why did the community of Salem, and the magistrates, so easily believe in and rely on "spectral evidence”?
8) How has reading the book changed your opinions about the men and women hanged as witches?
9) Are there modern day "witches”?
10) Can we, or should we, redefine the meaning of the word "witch"?
CONTEST DETAILS
To enter, tell us how you plan to celebrate Halloween.Rules:
Please include your email address, so that I can contact you if you win. No email address and answer, no entry. The contest is limited to US and Canada only. No P.O. boxes. The contest ends at noon on November 15, 2009.
Thanks so much, Valerie and Hatchette Book Group for this generous giveaway!
My friend is celebrating her birthday on Halloween. She is having a party at a fine restaurant. Costumes are optional. I'll be attending, but I'm not yet sure whether or not I'll be in costume.
ReplyDeletebgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I will spend Halloween chaparoning middle schoolers on a trip to the haunted house and a costume ball a local skating rink.
ReplyDeleteenyl(at)inbox(dot)com
I will be taking my kids out trick or treating. The original plan was for my son to be the Big Bad Wolf and my baby girl to be Little Red Riding Hood. Now my son has decided he wants to be the Eensy Weensy Spider so we don't know if my baby girl will be a bumble bee or a leopard...
ReplyDeletemelacan at hotmail dot com
Please enter me. We will be Trick or Treating all day since its Saturday this year.
ReplyDeletelizzi0915 at aol dot com
I am taking my son to a local church where the church attendee's decorate the inside of their vehicle trunks and have them filled with candy to give to the kids. They all park in a circle and the parents walk with the kids from one car to to the next. The older church members like to see the kids in their costumes and it's a good way to make sure the kids stay safe and aren't out too late. They call it Trunk of Treat!!
ReplyDeletebekki1820cb@gmail.com
I'm spending Halloween dressed up in a costume with friends and boyfriend and a couple of cool adult beverages :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com
I'm spending Halloween giving candy to trick-or-treaters followed by a Halloween party later in the evening.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in this giveaway!
saemmerson at yahoo dot com
Sarah Emmerson
Please enter me!
ReplyDeleteI will be trick or treating this halloween with my friends.
melissa@gingerhigh.com
I am celebrating Halloween by spending the night watching scary movies and passing out candy
ReplyDeletethrouthehaze at gmail dot com
Baking something with pumpkin and going out with my friend's child.
ReplyDeleteWe don't really celebrate Halloween because our kids our grown and we don't have any trick or treaters where we live. Isn't that sad?
ReplyDeletereadingatthebeach at gmail dot com
I'll be handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood.
ReplyDeletedlodden at frontiernet dot net
We plan to celebrate Halloween by Trick-or-Treating in my neighborhood with my kids.
ReplyDeletenancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I will be at the door giving out candy to the
ReplyDeletelittle ones.
I am a google reader follower.
cenya2 at hotmail dot com
this halloween finds me at work.
ReplyDeletekaren k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
We are going to a Halloween party the night before, and then maybe to a carnival the day of. That night, we'll probably stay home and pass out candy.
ReplyDeletesrfbluemama at gmail dot com
please enter me, I would love to read this one
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting this giveaway
copperllama at yahoo dot com
I will be attending my friend's annual Halloween costume party, it's so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI would really enjoy this book, thanks for a chance=)
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net
That's my mom's birthday so we'll be celebrating with her...dinner, cake & presents. :0) My niece & nephew will probably go trick or treating earlier in the evening but that's about it. It's not really a big holiday with my family.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
librarygrinch at gmail dot com
My daughter will hopefully be coming home from college this weekend, so hopefully just spending some time with her.
ReplyDeletejoannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
For Halloween we go to a party hosted by a friend. Each person pays $20, and the money goes to charity. Nothing better than having fun for a good cause. :)
ReplyDeleteI stayed at home and gave away candy
ReplyDeletetiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
We dressed up and walked the streets to keep an eye on the children...keep them safe.
ReplyDeletedorcontest at gmail dot com
We carved a pumpkin and handed out treats to all the kiddies! It was a cold day!
ReplyDeletebthgordon[at]yahoo[dot]com
I stayed home with the hubby and watched football.
ReplyDeletelag110@mchsi.com
We carved pumpkings, roasted pumpkin seeds, and doled out candy to the trick-or-treaters.
ReplyDeletealannakurt at gmail dot com
Thanks so much!
There aren't a lot of kids around this area so I spent Halloween watching TV. walkerd@primus.ca
ReplyDeleteI went to two parties--one as a wicked fairy and one as a black widow spider
ReplyDeleteamanda
catss99@yahoo.com
I spent Halloween passing out candy to the trick or treaters.
ReplyDeleterhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
I spent Halloween visiting relatives. walkermisc@primus.ca
ReplyDeleteI spent Halloween reading, what else?
ReplyDeleteanjamie4 (at) gmail (dot) com
I spent Halloween with my kids. They're all grown up so we had a nice dinner, watched some TV, and my son helped me get my new Ipod organized. It was a wonderful evening.
ReplyDeleter_lapus at yahoo.com
I didn't do anything this year for Halloween. Afraid I haven't in quite a few years. Would love to win this book.
ReplyDelete~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com
I just stayed at home and watched tv for Halloween. lol.
ReplyDeleteMarie
utah91960[at]yahoo[dot]com
Mary D
ReplyDeletezenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com
Hahaha - I actually dressed up as a credible zombie and teepeed my daughter's home ;)
we have a 2 and a half month baby - our first. we dressed him up and went trick or treating in our new neighborhood. it was wonderful!
ReplyDeletejanicelegaspi at hotmail dot com