The Witch of Blackbird Pond

... Show More
This Newbery Award winner brings to life the witch hysteria of Puritan New England.

223 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1,1958

About the author

... Show More
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.

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
29(29%)
4 stars
44(44%)
3 stars
26(26%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
99 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More

4.5 stars

"The Witch of Blackbird Pond" is truly one of my all-time favorite books. It holds a special place in my heart. Shortly after borrowing a copy from the library during my eighth grade, I simply couldn't put it down. I devoured the book with great enthusiasm and had it finished by the very next class. This is because it was just so incredibly good. The writing was superb, the plot was engaging from start to finish, and the characters were vividly brought to life. Oh my stars, it was truly a wonderful literary experience. I was completely captivated by the story and couldn't help but fangirl over it. I think the straightjacket on my fangirling heart just broke. *winks* It's a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I’ve been struggling through a few “serious” books over the past several days. So, I finally decided to pick up an old acquaintance: Elizabeth George Speare’s The Witch of Blackbird Pond.

The protagonist of the book, sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler, departs from 17th-century Barbados to live with her aunt in Puritan New England. It’s not overly astonishing that Kit doesn’t adapt well to her new surroundings. She has been cosseted and spoiled. She is a Royalist and an Anglican, and she can swim.

Kit isn't the ideal heroine for a 21st-century audience. She is self-centered and an unapologetic former slave owner, yet Speare manages to make her a sympathetic character. Kit, being a misfit herself, demonstrates great strength as she takes in the town’s outcasts: an elderly Quaker woman, a neglected young girl, and a lively sailor, Nat.

Witch is one of my childhood favorites. It was my entry into the world of literature and romance, and Nat might have been the first fictional character I fell in love with. However, this book isn't the typical fairytale. Kit isn't the perfect heroine, her relatives aren't terribly mean to her, and Nat doesn't show up nearly enough.

I wasn't let down by this reread (although I could have used a bit more romance). Speare is a talented writer, and Witch is more than suitable for an adult audience. Moreover, it's a quick and enjoyable read. Now, the question is, where can I find myself a feisty sailor like Nat?
July 15,2025
... Show More
I truly adored this book. As a result, I have reached the conclusion that books crafted for children can possess a higher quality of writing compared to those written for adults. The reason being that there isn't the burden of impressing with profound metaphors and poignant declarations about life. When adults pen works for adults, there is an excessive amount of pressure. However, adults who write for children comprehend that it is the story and the characters that hold the utmost significance. If these two elements are skillfully written, then I firmly believe that one has a profound and gratifying book.

This distinction in the writing approach for different audiences is quite remarkable. It shows that simplicity and focus on the essential aspects can often lead to more engaging and memorable literary works.

Moreover, it makes me wonder if adults could learn something from the way children's books are written. Maybe we should simplify our own writing and focus more on telling a good story and creating relatable characters.

In conclusion, this book has not only entertained me but also made me reflect on the different qualities of writing for children and adults.
July 15,2025
... Show More
When I was ten years old, my mom decided to send me to camp. Along with my other belongings, she gave me a copy of this particular book and a copy of Rabbit Hill. Little did I know that it was going to be a rather lousy camp experience.

There was a group of teens at the camp who seemed to find joy in chasing around the little kids and beating them up. Fearing for my safety, I took to hiding in the woods with a book in one hand and a cudgel in the other for protection.

I started reading this book and to my surprise, I absolutely loved it. It was like a whole new world opened up to me. After a while, I left the book in the little kids' bunkhouse and took Rabbit Hill with me to the woods. However, Rabbit Hill turned out to be such garbage that I couldn't bear to read it for long. So, I came back a little early to retrieve my copy of the book I truly loved, Blackbird Pond.

To my utter shock, when I returned to the bunkhouse, I found that the other little kids had torn it up and left it on the floor of the cabin. My heart sank. But I couldn't just leave it like that. I carefully and lovingly put it back together, page by page. And to this day, I still have that book.

That incident was the first time that I became aware that reading could actually make people angry at me. It made me realize that reading truly sets you apart from people who don't read. I learned that people who read have the power to choose to avoid negative situations by escaping into the world of books, while people who do not read might remain stuck in those situations and become resentful. It was a valuable lesson that I have carried with me ever since.

July 15,2025
... Show More
NAT IS THE BEEEEST.

Network Address Translation (NAT) is truly an amazing and essential technology. It plays a crucial role in today's networking environment.

NAT allows multiple devices within a private network to share a single public IP address. This not only conserves the limited pool of public IP addresses but also provides an added layer of security.

With NAT, devices on the private network can communicate with the outside world seamlessly. It translates the private IP addresses of the internal devices into the public IP address, making it possible for them to access the Internet and other external resources.

Moreover, NAT simplifies network management by hiding the internal network topology from the outside. It reduces the complexity of IP address management and makes it easier to configure and maintain the network.

In conclusion, NAT is indeed the best. It offers numerous benefits and is an indispensable part of modern networking.
July 15,2025
... Show More
4.5 stars

This rating indicates that the product or service in question has left a very positive impression. It has likely met or exceeded many of the expectations set by the reviewer.

However, the reviewer also mentions that more thoughts are to come. This could imply that they are still in the process of fully evaluating the item or have additional aspects that they want to consider before providing a more comprehensive assessment.

Perhaps they need to use the product for a longer period of time or explore some of its less obvious features. It could also mean that they want to gather more information or compare it with other similar offerings in the market.

Overall, while the initial rating of 4.5 stars is highly encouraging, the anticipation of more thoughts to come adds an element of mystery and makes one curious to see what further insights the reviewer will share.
July 15,2025
... Show More

3.5 Stars

The issue that often arises when re-reading the favorites of our childhood is that they seldom measure up to the vivid memories we have cherished over the years. In the case of this particular book, I still had a great deal of affection for it. However, I find myself in a bit of a quandary regarding the ending. I'm left wondering whether I felt disappointed with it simply because the nostalgia had built up my expectations to an unreasonably high level, or if the ending is, in fact, truly lacking. It's a difficult question to answer. On one hand, the power of nostalgia can sometimes distort our perception. On the other hand, perhaps there are legitimate flaws in the story's conclusion. Nevertheless, despite this uncertainty, I can't deny that there were still many aspects of the book that brought back warm and fuzzy feelings from my childhood.

July 15,2025
... Show More
I loved this book when I was twelve.

It was a source of great joy and entertainment for me back then.

Recently, I decided to re-read it, and to my surprise, it opened up a whole new world of understanding.

Now, I can see all of the amazing themes and morals that were hidden within its pages.

The book explores topics such as friendship, courage, and perseverance, teaching valuable lessons that are relevant even today.

It makes me realize how much I have grown and how my perspective has changed over the years.

Re-reading this book has been a truly enriching experience, and I am grateful to have discovered its deeper meanings.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone, regardless of age, as it has the power to touch hearts and inspire minds.

It is a classic that will continue to be cherished for generations to come.
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.