The Burning Time
by Carol Matas
by Carol Matas
THE BURNING TIME by Carol Matas
Category: Historical
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 10/30/07
Publisher: Orca Books
Reviewed by: Dianna Geers
Rating: 5 Stars
In the 106 pages of THE BURNING TIME, Carol Matas is able to take you through tremendous tragedy. And hope.
Rose’s mother is a midwife who is known for her great gift of healing, and Rose oftentimes helps her mother. Rose’s
father dies unexpectedly, leaving just she and her mother to take care of themselves and the land he left them in his will.
Her father’s relatives are not happy that they did not receive the land upon Rose’s father’s death. One uncle in
particular feels it should be his and is willing to do about anything to get the land for himself. This is where the historical
travesty against women during that time period becomes so real—Rose’s mother is accused of being a witch. If you
think you know what happened to women accused of being witches during that time, you will still be moved by what
happens in this book.
Carol Matas has taken such a historical event and put such closeness to it with her characters. No longer is France in
the 16th century something read about in a history book, but rather real people let us into their lives and we experience
a different kind of world. A different kind of society.
As a teacher I recommend this book often and every student of mine who has read it absolutely loves it. It is a quick
read with a powerful punch.
Category: Historical
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 10/30/07
Publisher: Orca Books
Reviewed by: Dianna Geers
Rating: 5 Stars
In the 106 pages of THE BURNING TIME, Carol Matas is able to take you through tremendous tragedy. And hope.
Rose’s mother is a midwife who is known for her great gift of healing, and Rose oftentimes helps her mother. Rose’s
father dies unexpectedly, leaving just she and her mother to take care of themselves and the land he left them in his will.
Her father’s relatives are not happy that they did not receive the land upon Rose’s father’s death. One uncle in
particular feels it should be his and is willing to do about anything to get the land for himself. This is where the historical
travesty against women during that time period becomes so real—Rose’s mother is accused of being a witch. If you
think you know what happened to women accused of being witches during that time, you will still be moved by what
happens in this book.
Carol Matas has taken such a historical event and put such closeness to it with her characters. No longer is France in
the 16th century something read about in a history book, but rather real people let us into their lives and we experience
a different kind of world. A different kind of society.
As a teacher I recommend this book often and every student of mine who has read it absolutely loves it. It is a quick
read with a powerful punch.