My last book of 2019.

(So I lied a few hours ago about the other book I thought would be my last. But this one really is, I promise.)

I recently recommended this book to a Good Reads friend because I had such fond memories of it from my childhood. Re-reading it now as an adult has reminded me once again that I was a much more patient reader when I was younger. The book is well-researched and beautifully written, but it doesn't truly become interesting until about 40% of the way through when Kit finally meets Hannah.

I now realize that my warm and fuzzy memories of the book were only of the parts where Kit spends time in Hannah's cottage on Blackbird Pond. I had completely forgotten all the nasty and barbaric Puritan practices such as putting people in the stockade for punishment and the surgeon feeding Judith ground roasted toads in an attempt to cure her illness. And of course, as a girl, I think I was mostly unaware of all the drama surrounding the pursuit of a husband. I doubt it made any impression on me at all. Looking at it now, it seems like a good candidate for "my first historical romance". There really is quite a lot of the "he loves me/he loves me not" angsty stuff that fills up the pages.

Overall, it was an interesting read, but it also made me realize how much my perspective has changed since I was a child.

I have an unwavering love for this book.

It exudes a sense of cosiness that envelopes you like a warm blanket on a cold winter's night. The warmth it offers is not just physical but emotional, as it takes you on a journey through a beautiful world.

There are so many wonderful aspects to this book that I find it almost impossible to do justice to them all in mere words. The way it ended was truly perfect, fitting the narrative like a glove.

Although in my heart, I long for a sequel to continue the story and explore more of the characters and their lives.

Despite the title, which might initially suggest a perhaps sinister story, this book is actually a charming and delightful glimpse into Colonial America.

It is a tale that is appropriate for all ages, captivating both young and old alike. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Content note: There is one instance of swearing in the book (damn them; curse them all). However, this does not detract from the overall beauty and charm of the story.

This is an absolutely breathtaking book that transports us to Puritan New England, specifically to the colony of Connecticut. Sixteen-year-old Katherine, or Kit as she is known, arrives in America after being raised by her grandfather in Barbados. Her upbringing, which involved liberal Shakespeare-reading, ocean-swimming, and wearing silk dresses, has done little to prepare her for the inflexibility and piousness of her aunt's family who take her in. In fact, Kit's free thinking and outspoken ways give rise to suspicion and irrational fear.

Speare's characters are fully fleshed out and conflicted, and it is a genuine pleasure to witness their learning and growth throughout the book. Kit's constant impulsive decision-making and the inadvertent consequences never seem contrived. The time period and its rigid culture play a huge role in the plot of this novel. In this era, seemingly harmless gestures and friendships can somehow make a person appear as a Satan-worshipper and lead to a trial for witchcraft. It was a tremulous and frightening time, with politics being a constant topic of conversation as the colonists were just beginning to determine that they no longer desired a king.

Kit's indecision regarding what and who she loves, and where she belongs, feels extremely true to life. The descriptions of New England itself, as well as the traditions and chores of the time, are expertly interwoven into the prose. The sprinkling of romance throughout the story is恰到好处, and I adored the ending. If you are a lover of young adult historical fiction, this Newberry Award winner is an absolute must-read.

I absolutely adored this book! It was an enchanting and delightful read that I simply couldn't put down.

\\n  “She snatched at the dream that had comforted her for so long. It was faded and thin, like a letter too often read.”\\n The story was engaging from the very beginning, and I found myself completely immersed in the characters' lives.

I loved how it made me laugh out loud on numerous occasions and kept a smile on my face throughout. The romance in the book was truly amazing, filled with tenderness and passion.

\\n  “There is no escape if love is not there”\\n It was a beautiful exploration of the power of love and how it can overcome all obstacles.

Additionally, the book was filled with profound and thought-provoking quotes that really made me stop and reflect.

\\n  “Tis a strange thing, that the only friends I have I found in the same way, lying flat in the meadows, crying as if their hearts would break.”\\n These quotes added an extra layer of depth to the story and made it even more memorable.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a charming and heartwarming read. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

\\n  “From that first moment, in a way she could never explain, the Meadows claimed her and made her their own.”\\n

I read this when I was a kid and really liked it.

However, when I attempted to re-read it now as an adult in order to clear off my bookcase, I quickly decided that it wasn't worth the bother.

The main character and I just won't gel.

So, it's going straight to the donate pile.

Overall, I can only give it 3 stars, mainly due to nostalgia.

It's a shame that what once brought me joy as a child no longer holds the same appeal as an adult.

But that's life, and sometimes our tastes and interests change.

At least I can pass this book on to someone else who may be able to enjoy it more than I do now.

Maybe they'll have their own wonderful memories of reading this story.

A serious favourite from my formative youth, it was strange and harsh, yet nearly illicitly romantic. So much so that I reread it, despite how much Kit's predicament upset and scared me. Mobs, trials, and institutions are some of my worst fears.

Reading it quickly now, for the first time in English, many decades after first finding it in the small town library, I'm truly struck by how good a book it is. Many books that were important to me then, including those that "raised/formed" me like Narnia, don't hold up as well in retrospect. But there was a reason I'd remembered the title, found this book again, and even wrote a report on it during my brief stint working in a bookshop, decades after initially reading it.

Due to certain circumstances that I'll explain elsewhere, I've been searching for romance novels again, despite being tempted by what I know are false reviews that would only lead to more bad, boring, and soul-sapping money-wasters. This children's book, however, has more romance than ANY of the official adult romances, even those with explicit sex scenes. Nat's wiry figure, his hard tanned wrists in the stocks, and how Kit sees those glimpses - it's all so much more effective and still to my taste after all these years.

The terror of the mob is lessened this time around, and I took in more of the political situation (Royalists and American rebels). But I'm still surprised that Speare wrote such a liberal book 50 years ago. Of course, Puritans today are also often portrayed positively like Gale did in "Notes", but to realize it was just Quakers they branded and killed and to see the tiny inserts about how the baby son died because he had to be christened in the freezing cold is quite unusual.

There is a great economy of writing in this book, nothing superfluous. It's another mark of all the books I wanted to keep and not return to the library when I was a voracious reader. Back then, when I reread, everything stayed distinct and wasn't washed out. Now, all those books seem so much shorter, but the essence is still there, just like in old movies - more content in less space.

Speare also shows great fairness in her portrayal. The gruff and initially "hateful" uncle is revealed to be a good man who has fought hard. His grief and burden are shown in a single simple yet powerful image. The politics of him and other men are balanced, crossing over like a checkboard, with religion, politics, and ethics not all assigned to the "good" or "bad" side.

I had forgotten that the old "witch" was saved, and even the cat, and I was glad. I had not forgotten that the beautiful young priest came back and fell into the lap of the crippled girl, or how Kit met Nate again in the bright sunny wheat field, and the pleasant surprise of that at my first read.

It should be public knowledge by now that it's not easier to write for children than for adults. I hope as much care is still paid to YA Lit., because it's lacking in romance and fantasy novels, the genres we often move on to as "adults". I truly wish there were more adult books like this one.

ETA: Since the Swedish series Gulla was another formative book for me before I delved into the world of romantic thrillers, I guess there's a bit of Puritan in me or in my upbringing.

For years, I held the mistaken belief that this book was about a witch, so I avoided it. It was only about ten years ago that I was corrected on that assumption. However, it has still taken me this long to finally get around to reading it.

This is a highly historically accurate story that delves into the world of the Puritans and their over-dramatized beliefs regarding those who were different from them. The so-called "witch" in the story was actually just an old Quaker woman, and there was no actual witchcraft in the book. It was merely filled with rumors and suppositions, none of which were true.

Now that I've addressed that for the curious readers, here comes my review. I absolutely adored this book! I can't believe it took me so many years to finally read it. It's one of those delightful and comfortable reads that made me reluctant to put it down until I finished it, and even after I was done, my thoughts kept lingering back to it.

The character of Kit was very well-developed, and I could sense her struggle as she entered a Puritan village and tried to live according to her conscience while navigating around the hardcore Puritan beliefs. All of the characters were diverse, each with their own unique personalities, and they were all very believable. Nat was probably my favorite, but you'll have to read the book to find out who he is.

The story arc was truly amazing. The beginning seemed a bit slow, but within the first three chapters, I was completely hooked and taken on an incredible journey with Kit and her friends.

Regarding religion, I can't say that this book was specifically Christian. Given the era, a lot about God was mentioned, mainly by the Puritans. However, the main character, Kit, had no interest in God and never turned to Him in the story. If she had, it would have elevated the book to an entirely new level of awesomeness.

There was romance in the book, but it wasn't the typical internal-conflict-of-emotions and wondering-about-kisses type of romance. I found the romance to be very chaste and clean, which was a refreshing change for me. It does contain romance, though, so for those who are looking for children's books without romance, I wouldn't recommend this as a romance-free book.

All in all, this is a wonderful read, and I'm extremely happy to have it on my bookshelf. I will probably return to read it again in the future.

The Newbery winner in 1959, "The Witch of Blackbird Pond", truly offers a captivating glimpse into a bygone era. I must say I am happy I was not born in the late 1600's. I would be too stubborn and just get myself into too much trouble.

Kit, the protagonist, grew up in her Grandfather's lavish home in Barbados. Sadly, after the loss of her parents, her Grandfather is now gone too. With no money left, Kit must leave and go live with her Aunt and Uncle, who are Puritans in America. This was a time when Quakers were looked down upon, and one of Kit's only friends, Hannah, was a Quaker who had friendships with outcasts.

Tragically, an illness comes and takes the lives of three, and Hannah is blamed for witchery. A mob plans to kill Hannah and burn her home down. The question remains: Can Kit save Hannah and herself?

I did not care for the religious and political tensions depicted in the story. Times are different now, and we seem more tolerable of the contrasts between us. However, it is a well thought out historical novel that covers the lives of young women during education, courtship, and marriage, as well as the coming of the Salem Witch Trials. Historically, I would give the novel 4 stars.

April 2025 Review
I had largely forgotten about this book, and it was truly a delight to revisit it. For the most part, it has stood the test of time. The writing is highly skilled, and the characterization is extremely rich. Speare manages to give even the side characters depth, astonishingly with just a few words. The descriptions of the seasons, along with a few vocabulary words unique to that era, create a wonderful atmosphere.

This time around, the contrast in worldviews really stood out to me. The attitude of those stuffy Puritans with their Bible, judging everyone and simply wanting to follow rules. In contrast, the kind woman says, "Look for answers in your heart." It's the typical "look within" and "follow your heart" Disney-esque advice. However, I couldn't help but wonder why the author couldn't have contrasted the Puritans with a different version of Christianity. The author's overall unfriendliness towards Christianity was rather off-putting to me.

Also from Speare:
--The Sign of the Beaver
--The Bronze Bow

September 2014 Review
This book is truly masterful. It is unhurried and understated, simple yet deep enough that a young child can appreciate the first layer while still sensing that there is something more. It is beautifully done and highly recommended to anyone in search of a good children's book.

I haven't read a children's book this profound in a long time. Every character has inner conflict and multiple layers, enough to keep the interactions new and spontaneous, their character traits evolving, and the plot diverse and unpredictable.

It was a breath of fresh air not to be able to anticipate what was coming next. I was pleasantly surprised by the simple and understated ending – a yay for subtext in a kids' book! Even though this isn't really my favorite setting or writing style, as a fan, I wished the author would have written even more between Nat and Kit. Please, a sequel!

I can understand why my dear friend Amy adores this book to pieces. There are genuine political and cultural undertones, and while they don't overshadow the plot or characters, they are an integral part of everyday life. It's a wonderful piece that is both moving and realistic.

Newbery Medal winner in 1959.

I vividly remember reading this book when I was just 9 years old, a few years before our family made the move to Connecticut. It's quite funny how, despite having such a strong memory of loving this book, I had actually forgotten so many details of the story. In fact, I had completely forgotten that it took place in Connecticut!

This book has truly aged beautifully. It is exceptionally well-written, filled with well-developed and solid characters. The young heroine is a wonderful creation, someone who could easily resonate with readers in any era. The themes of Puritans, the scary accusations of witchcraft, and the search for a place or a person that feels like a perfect fit are all so timeless.

I am extremely glad that I decided to revisit this childhood favorite. It was not only a fascinating step back into Connecticut's history but also a journey into my own past. It brought back memories and made me appreciate the book even more.

(Reviewed 7/1/19)

I stayed up until 1 am on a workday to finish this book! I believe it's the best indicator of how much I enjoyed it. It was exactly what I needed during this period, a well-written historical fiction, but not overly complex, about a girl who finds her way in life and matures along the way.

The action takes place in 1687 in the Connecticut Colony in America, where Kit Tyler arrives just from Barbados. She is in need because her wealthy grandfather dies, and Kit distributes the estate among all those who come and claim the debts her grandfather had accumulated. The girl has a hard time adjusting in the house and in the Puritan community of Wethersfield, especially since in Barbados she was accustomed to a freedom hard to imagine for the young Puritans in New England.

Going through the hardships of an ordinary girl's life, the harsh behavior of her uncle, navigating the troubled waters of first love, and being subjected to absurd accusations of witchcraft, Kit matures and finds her voice, which she uses to defend those who cannot defend themselves.

Speare's book follows the classic pattern of a happy ending for all the main characters, but as I said, I also needed something beautiful during this period. The fact that the action-packed scenes kept me on the edge of my seat and at one point I really didn't know how it would all end didn't hurt either.

If you want a beautiful and clean novel that reads quickly and leaves you with some life lessons, "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" is for you.

I loved it as a child, and to my great delight, I really loved this the second time around as an adult.

To my surprise, I found that the character who was Kit's mentor was a Quaker. As an adult, I became a Quaker myself, and I'm constantly amazed by the number of books I adored in my childhood that had charming Quaker characters. These were characters that I aspired to imitate.

This book offers a wonderfully researched perspective on life in colonial America. It has a good adventure element, and all of the romance works out well in the end.

I read this for my book group, and we had a wonderful discussion. It was truly a delightful evening. We shared our thoughts and interpretations of the story, and it was fascinating to hear everyone's different perspectives.

The book brought back memories of my childhood reading experiences and also introduced me to new aspects of colonial American history and Quaker values. It was a truly enjoyable and enriching read.