LS 5603 The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Speare, Elizabeth George. The Witch of Blackbird Pond. 1958. Reprint, New York: Dell Yearling, 1986.

ISBN: 0-440-49596-2

Kit Tyler is a well-to-do young woman in 1687 Barbados when her grandfather, her guardian, dies. Left with nothing, she journeys unannounced aboard the brigantine Dolphin, where she befriends a young girl, Prudence, and the Captain’s son, Nat, to her only relatives in the puritanical Connecticut Colony and is in for surprises when she gets there. Her manner of dress, silks and colors, are offensive to those of her new household. She is expected to do chores when she had slaves to cater to her in Barbados. But all is not dark for Kit. A local young man, William fancies her upon first meeting and begins calling on her. Kit resists, because after all, they don’t really know each other and thinks it is odd that her just comes and sits with her without saying a word. She soon finds solace in the local “witch” that lives near Blackbird Pond, Hannah. As their friendship grows, so does the suspicion of witchcraft towards Kit. In the end, a surprise witness saves Kit from her accusers, she finds love with Nat, and finds a place where Hannah will be accepted.

Although the book very enjoyable, albeit a bit boring at the beginning, I found it very predictable. I could have listed all the things I thought would happen and then put a check mark next to them as they happened: Her relatives are disapproving of her, check; the local “rich boy” fancies her, check; she meets an outsider like her, check, and so on. The plot is progressive; you just KNOW she will be accused of witchcraft during the climax of the book because she is far too progressive herself (Making up stories for the children to enjoy! Asking questions about why things are done!) for the time and place she is in.

The only review I could find for the print issue of this Newbery winner was from a July 1988 edition of Booklist that stated: “On a visit to colonial Connecticut, Kit teaches a young girl to read, thus saving herself during the Salem witchcraft trials.” I found this review very off as Kit wasn’t there to visit nor was she ever in Massachusetts at any point in the story. Those who enjoyed this book may also want to take a look at A Killing in Plymouth Colony by Carol Otis Hurst and Rebecca Otis, Witch Child by Celia Reese, and The Minister’s Daughter by Julie Hearne.