Tituba

This is a fantastic book for ages 6 to 9, about Tituba, the slave from the West Indies whose harmless but very sincere and sacred pagan beliefs and practices sparked the Salem Witch Trials. Besides telling a little known story of black slave history, it is particularly refreshing to read about the persecution of nature worshipping people, and how easy it can be to be accused of witchcraft for having an animistic religion. By seeing Tituba on nearly every page, in contemplation and at work, I completely identified with her. For once, this telling doesn't concentrate on the hysterics of the young girls. My daughter couldn't put it down, and the illustrations deftly remind one of Tituba's connection to West Indian culture,while being set in puritan New England. It really is a must-have for those interested in women's and witch heritage.