A review by writersrelief
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

adventurous inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 
First published in 1958, this YA historical fiction novel won the Newbery Award. Speare’s convincing atmosphere and descriptions take readers back to the spring of 1687 and into the life of 16-year-old Katherine (Kit) Tyler. From an aristocratic, slave-owning family, Kit has been living an easy life in Barbados with her grandfather, Sir Francis Tyler, who is loyal to the English monarchy and the Church of England. When her grandfather dies, however, Kit is forced to travel to New England to live with her only remaining relatives, staunch Puritans in Connecticut. 
 
It doesn’t take long for free-spirited, rebellious Kit to realize that she doesn’t fit in. She is used to wearing fancy, colorful dresses and being waited on by slaves and servants, but here in her aunt and uncle’s home, she is expected to dress in modest, sensible clothing and work as hard as everyone else does. Kit loves to read Shakespeare and isn’t much of a churchgoer; in Puritan Wethersfield, however, she is expected to attend church services for most of the day on Sundays and to read the Bible. 
 
One day, confused and frustrated by the new strictures on every aspect of her life, Kit runs out to the nearby meadows for some moments of freedom. There she meets Hannah Tupper, a Quaker, whom the townsfolk suspect of being a witch. Despite the fact that her uncle has forbidden her to spend time with Hannah, Kit develops a close friendship with the kindly older woman. Hannah has also befriended Nat Eaton, the son of the captain of the ship that brought Kit to Connecticut, and Kit falls in love with him. The three outcasts band together for mutual support as they face suspicions, misunderstandings, and outright false accusations by the citizens of Wethersfield. With their help, Kit tries to figure out where she belongs and with whom. 
 
With a strong plot and fully realized characters, this exciting and delightful historical narrative is a real page-turner. 
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