The Witch of Blackbird Pond (urspr publ 1958; utgåvan 1978)

One of my all time favourite books from my childhood. ( )

One of my favorite childhood books - there is a richness to this simple children's book that awes me every time I read it. Love the honest look at Puritan life, the fish out of water analogies, and the very mild but lovely romance. I can so identify with Kit's headstrong approach and inability to restrain herself at times! Quick read that will leave you satisfied! ( )

Not about actual witches. A novel of life among Puritans in 1680s.

Another fun, plucky young heroine, this time struggling to find her place in a Puritan community in New England. The story moves very quickly, builds suspense, has a lot of great characters, and rich detail of daily life for early colonists. I'm also fascinated by anything to do with witch trials and that time period. My only major complaint was that main character sometimes felt like a twentieth century girl dropped into 1687; she was a bit too modern in some of her attitudes and actions. But then, she was firmly planted in the culture at other times. Overall, it worked and was a good read.

Course evaluation:

Personal Response: This was a great story of a stubborn but strong young heroine, and a detailed glimpse into the daily life of early New Englanders. Though Kit’s attitudes seemed a bit modern and the story leaned heavily on the romantic triangles for drama, this would be a great way to introduce witch trials to young readers.

Evaluation: Speare sets her story in a real town and sprinkles her fictional characters among real historic figures. The rich detail illustrates the struggles of early colonists and gives the story a sense of authenticity. The third-person perspective leaves some of Kit’s feelings up to the reader’s imagination but the characterization is otherwise strong and diverse. The historical details are very specific though Kit’s reactions and attitudes seem a bit modern at times; those around her are firmly planted in the late 1600s but Kit exhibits some contemporary views and actions. However, Speare explains these discrepancies away with Kit’s upbringing in Barbados. ( )

I loved this book, I read it years ago when I was in grade school, great story still remember it to this day ( )