The Witch of Blackbird Pond and Related Readings

by Elizabeth George Speare

The Witch of Blackbird Pond with related readings.

Genres: Classics, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy

192 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2000

About the author

I was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, on November 21, 1908. I have lived all my life in New England, and though I love to travel I can't imagine ever calling any other place on earth home. Since I can't remember a time when I didn't intend to write, it is hard to explain why I took so long getting around to it in earnest. But the years seemed to go by very quickly. In 1936 I married Alden Speare and came to Connecticut. Not till both children were in junior high did I find time at last to sit down quietly with a pencil and paper. I turned naturally to the things which had filled my days and thoughts and began to write magazine articles about family living. Then one day I stumbled on a true story from New England history with a character who seemed to me an ideal heroine. Though I had my first historical novel almost by accident it soon proved to be an absorbing hobby."

Elizabeth George Speare (1908-1994) won the 1959 Newbery Medal for THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND, and the 1962 Newbery Medal for THE BRONZE BOW. She also received a Newbery Honor Award in 1983, and in 1989 she was presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her substantial and enduring contribution to children’s literature.

Reviews

[Jessaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

They would have burned her at the steak if they could. Why? Because she knew how to swim and only witches can swim. Because she was friends with Hannah, A woman that they claimed was a witch because she was not a Pilgrim. The pilgrim's came to America for freedom, but they allow no freedom to others.

Kit came to America from Barbados. Her grandfather had died so she sold everything except, say for her dresses. She brought in 7 trunks when she came to her family and heart for Connecticut I can only imagine how this looked to the plain cloved Pilgrims.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite childhood book of all time

[Lydia Dales · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not what you think when you read the title😂 it was a really good book, super interesting and captivating!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The witch of blackbird pond is about a girl named kit who moved from her hometown barbados when she was 16 to Connecticut To live withe her aunt. She gets there and finds it is a town of New England puritans. They don't really get along they think her clothing is too elaborate and that she can't work and do the things that puritan women should. After things get out of hand and A mob breaks out she helps save a woman that the puritans think is a witch but is really just an old widow. In the end she has a descion to make go back to barbados or stay in connecticut and be with Nat.
The theme of this book is when you stand up for what you believe in good will come. I think it fits well because even though the whole town hated her she didn't change. When everyone was against the widow she was there to help her. People didn't like that but kit didn't car what they thought.I thought this was a really good book. It was interesting to read, And it had a good story.

[Cole Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a good story about fitting into society's standards and standing up for the greater good. It is about a girl who moves to a strict and conservative town and she doesn't agree with their strict rules and treatment of alleged witches. The book does a good job showing how fear can lead to unfair treatment when especially to people that are different. In this case a witch is being treated badly because of the allegations and the fear of what she will do to the town. Her story teaches a lesson about being true to your own thoughts and standing up for what is write.The characters feel real, and the story keeps you interested throughout and is a great book to sit down to. It is great to teach people about discrimination but can also be boring at times. The story makes up for the boring plot with their great character development. All in all, the book was good but didn't blow me away

[Kiomie Acevedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my childhood favorites. I read this book almost every year. It’s nostalgic for me. It gives me the dejavú feels like the excitement it gave me when I couldn’t put it down at 14 yrs old. this was an empowering book about believing in yourself and fighting for your beliefs and the people around you. How one person can shatter the ceiling glass the same way a small stone can make huge ripples in water.

[Lynn S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very satisfying YA read about the importance of love and friendship.

[ag :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*SPOILER ALERT*

This book was soooo sweet! Nat and Kit are he cutest couple! Literally this book is full of surprises. I hope this gets turned into a movie! :D

[Sammi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting read about 1800s and America. I liked the storyline and how Kit is accepting of others. I loved Hannah and Nat in the story.

[Patricia Raspa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorites. First read this when I was in 3rd grade. Have read it every year since!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of all times. Red it in public school and numerous times since.

[Ashlyn Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know most people found this book boring, at least most of my classmates did, but I thought it was very interesting to see this time period through the eyes of a teenage girl, and not a boy or man.

[Margaux Reine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this one, oh so many years ago. Must admit it isn't my normal go-to genre, but loved it nonetheless!

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! Great read for adults and also for ages approximately 10-14. Well-written, great story. Set during colonial times, it is great historical fiction to help understand the period of time as well.

[Carmen B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember seeing this book when I was a child, but somehow I never got around to reading it. Lo and behold, I had a copy on my shelf so here was the time to read.

First things first, this is a YA novel. However, it's easy to see why it won the Newbery Medal. The details are wonderful, you really get a sense of Connecticut in that time, the way of life, the fear of witches, and the lives that were often destroyed by the hysteria.

The characters are wonderfully drawn. I didn't feel that anyone was a caricature, except perhaps fed Goodwife Cruff. It was slightly predictable in that everyone ended up with who you would expect, but it didn't take away from the story. It really was a charming read.

[Amritha Vivek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kit Tyler is a 16 year old orphan girl from Barbados. She leaves Barbados after her grandfather's death and goes to Wethersfield, Conneticut to live with her Aunt Rachel and Uncle Matthew. Kit finds Wethersfield to be much different than Barbados and it is difficult for her to adapt in this new town. What will happen to Kit during her stay at her Uncle and Aunt's house? Will this young girl from Barbados be able to adapt to life in a 1680s Puritan town?

[bryar :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌟 3.0 🌟

i actually really liked this book! it's probably my second favorite book i've read for school, after percy jackson. i loved the characters and the book (at some times) felt like a warm hug. the plot was slow at some parts, but when it was good IT WAS GOOD. i love kit and nat. AND JOHN AND MERCY. they are goals. anyways i enjoyed this book more than expected.

[Alex- the awesome]

I HATED THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!

[Iriana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read it on 7th grade dont remember much. I know I didn't like it/

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading my son's assignments for 7th grade Honor's English more than he does!

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't revisited this since I was a child. So, so good.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem!

[Ann L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional story!

[Laura]

This is a wonderful fiction story of young woman in puritanical New England. Rich in description, developement of characters. One follows her as she faces challenges that build her character.

[Valerie]

Enjoyable, but a tad dated. Lots of good historical details.

[Paul Sain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, I thought I was not going to like it. Elizabeth George Speare has done a amazing job writing this book. I would recomend this book to anyone.

[Alisa Evans]

i read this in 5th grade. it was great. i enjoyed this book. i recommend this book.

[Richard D · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really great book with a great storyline

[Benjamin Gray]

Good😎😝😋😳😛😜😪

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't really read historical fiction but I love this book