The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Published by: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pub Date: January 10, 2011 (first published 1958)
Pages: 272
Format: paperback | Source: purchased
Genres: young adult, historical fiction
Rating:
Sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler is marked by suspicion and disapproval from the moment she arrives on the unfamiliar shores of colonial Connecticut in 1687. Alone and desperate, she has been forced to leave her beloved home on the island of Barbados and join a family she has never met. Torn between her quest for belonging and her desire to be true to herself, Kit struggles to survive in a hostile place. Just when it seems she must give up, she finds a kindred spirit. But Kit’s friendship with Hannah Tupper, believed by the colonists to be a witch, proves more taboo than she could have imagined and ultimately forces Kit to choose between her heart and her duty.
Elizabeth George Speare won the 1959 Newbery Medal for this portrayal of a heroine whom readers will admire for her unwavering sense of truth as well as her infinite capacity to love.
I originally read The Witch of Blackbird Pond back in 6th grade and didn’t remember a single thing about it, aside from the fact that I had enjoyed it. It was even better than I expected upon a reread! I picked it up on a whim because I needed to fill a bingo square and because it seemed perfect for October, and I’m really glad I did. Kit is a winsome, interesting character and her friendships and relationships with the people of New England shine in this exceptional novel. The author paints an amazingly detailed portrait of a 17th century Puritan town without making the characters seem stuffy. I can see why this book won the Newbery and has stood the test of time. Plus…. Nat! I loved Nat 😀 I would happily read this again in the future.
Have you ever read The Witch of Blackbird Pond? Or been pleasantly surprised by a book you first read in childhood?
The Bookish Beagle 
I read this for the first time about five years ago and thought it was really good! Definitely a great pick for October reading. And can anyone not love Nat? 🙂
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Nat was so wonderful! I’m so glad I decided to read it this month.
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I don’t think I read this one as a child, but I read a few years ago when I did a fun little blog project with Estelle and loved it! I was so surprised because I had low expectations going in but fell in love with the story (and Nat, of course!). I agree with you — I’ll happily re-read it in the future!
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Oh that’s neat! Yeah I kind of expected it to be more stiff so I was really surprised by how much I loved the characters.
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