The Witch of Blackbird Pond: A Newbery Award Winner – A Halloween Book for Teens

I was introduced to this story through the book Awkward in October by Yea. That book was written with The Witch of Blackbird Pond as the center of the main characters decisions in life. So…I HAD to read this book!! I am so happy that I decided to read this! I’m not usually a big historical fiction reader. But this book was so good, filled with lots of interesting characters!! Growing up in New England, Massachusetts specifically, I was taught about the Puritans and the Quakers. The Puritans were very strict people, who lived very hard lives. They wanted to reform the Church of England, and had to leave for the new world (America) to escape persecution. They disliked any who didn’t conform with their religious ideals and considered them followers of the devil. That is where the Salem witch trials came to be. The Quakers, who also left the Church of England, had their own beliefs and didn’t fall in line with the Puritans beliefs, came to be accused of devil worship and witchcraft. That’s where this book comes in. Katherine, also known as Kit, came from Barbados. She lived in Barbados with her grandfather until he died and she set sail on ‘The Dolphin’ for Connecticut, where her Aunt (a puritan) lived. On board she met the Captain’s son, Nat, who she develops a friendship with. And that’s where I will end this…so as not to give anything away. I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely reread it. If you enjoy historical fiction, family, friendships, and a little romance, give this book a try!

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is one that I read when I was very young, and since I didn’t really remember anything besides that I enjoyed it, this is tagged a re-read. Kit Tyler is an intelligent and spirited young woman who was raised by her wealthy grandfather in Barbados. When it becomes apparent that she can’t live alone when her grandfather passes, she moves to Connecticut to stay at her uncle’s house. Things are very different in America from the life she knew in Barbados. Kit was raised with the privilege of fine clothes and others who did all the work of cooking, growing food and keeping her house. At her uncle’s home, she was expected to card wool, pull weeds, and if they wanted a sweet dessert on Sunday, they needed to save their sugar for the entire week. Besides the fact that Kit could swim, her fine clothes and attitude, set her apart from the people of Connecticut. She did not comfortably tolerate the Puritan church and their desire to sit through too long services every Sunday. Kit kitchen for a walk alone and met Hannah Tupper, a woman the locals suspected of witchcraft because she was a Quaker and not a Puritan. I never thought about it the first reading, but for some reason, I always thought the two religions were virtually the same. Quaker’s believed that you could pray and God would hear you, and Puritans believed they were reforming the Church of England. The politics of the time are also interspersed throughout the story. I’m not sure quite why I like this so much the first time I read it, because although the writing is excellent, I found the story sad or dark coming from a more enlightened time. The story had a happy ending and had many light and joyful moments, as well as very stressful ones. Kit is an admirable character, even though some of her beliefs made her less than perfect. I still had to give this “history lesson” five stars for great writing and solid storytelling.

I read a lot as a kid, but somehow I missed this one. I was still entertained as an adult. A glimpse into a teenaged girl's life in 1600's Connecticut. Though Kit is a bit arrogant and annoying in the beginning, she really comes to shine as a character. A good snapshot of Colonial American life, with some romance and adventure that keeps the story moving right along. A quick read, but an enjoyable one for almost any age.

I’ve never seen anything so like this book and when one thing happens, I expect something, but it turns out to be the opposite of what I expected. I give this a five star rating because everything that I expect of this book to happen just doesn’t happen. I find that lots of parts of the book relate strongly to me and yet in a way that I never would’ve expected. This book truly is surprising and a very good read for people who think that they just don’t fit in with other people around them. I strongly suggest this for people between fifth and eighth grade like myself(seventh grade). The only reason someone would not like this book would be if they are extremely popular and fit in everywhere.

I've read this book several times over the years, and like all very good books, it strikes me in a new and different way each time. And yet, it is consistent in the way it remains bittersweet as I revisit my childhood self and am filled with the same flavor of emotions each time I read a few key scenes. Nostalgia aside, this storytelling is beautiful and rich and somehow more wonderful because of its literary restraint. Children and adults alike can learn a lot about writing from studying this approachable story. For parents and educators, there are a couple uses of moderate swear words, and instances of perilous suspense. It is quite mild compared to what many children are consuming these days, but consideration for your particular child's needs is still warranted. There is wonderful character growth for nearly every character in this book without it feeling too Pollyanna-ish. I'd forgotten how much I like such deliberate plotting and pacing in a story! Overall, I'm delighted to find that this book has aged another decade with me and yet continues to be a very satisfying read.

Ordered for my daughter and came quick. No teats or scuffs to the cover.

This book was not allowed in my East Tennessee middle school curriculum, so I missed out when it was age-appropriate. After reading about it on various "often banned books" lists this past year, I was intrigued. After seeing it described as "thoughtful chick lit" and "insightful historical fiction that discusses slavery, Puritanism, and the McCarthy-era Red Scare" I decided to give it a whirl. Absolutely fantastic book. One top of all I was promised, the writing sparkled and it had the romantic intrigue of a Bridgerton season alongside evocative descriptions of early America that reminded me of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Highly recommended for readers of any age.

I first read this in 5th grade and loved it, even choosing it to perform for the class when we had to act out a scene from our favorite book. The character of Mercy Wood inspired me to try to better myself, to be a better listener and a more patient person. Through the years, several scenes have stuck out in my memory, and I thought I remembered the book very well. I just reread it three decades later and it’s even better than I remembered, though I admit I had forgotten most of the book! The writing is tight, the descriptions vivid without being overwhelming. Kit grows as a person, as do the people around her. Historical events are touched on, but mostly the history is *lived.* I am excited to use this book as the introduction to life in the Colonial period for a middle school class I’m teaching. I’m also excited to dissect this with my eldest as an example of excellent writing techniques. Highly recommend!