“No, writing is not lonely. It is a profession crowded with life and sound and color. I feel privileged to have had a share in it.” —Elizabeth George Speare*

A couple of chapters into The Witch of Blackbird Pond, I found myself having to flip back to the copyright page and double check that it was actually published in 1958. That's just four years after The Wheel on the School, which, while it has some admirable qualities, can most kindly be described as quaint.

Witch, on the other hand, with its vivid, immediate language and strong heroine, could easily have been written last year. In the fifties, it must have been a groundbreaking read. Despite the fact that it takes place over three centuries ago, it feels like a harbinger of modernity in middle grade literature. In the next ten years, Island of the Blue Dolphins, A Wrinkle in Time, and From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler would all take their place in the Newbery pantheon. Witch feels much more a part of their world than that of The Wheel on the Schol and Ginger Pye.

I suppose you could argue that the focus on "who marries whom" is feministically retrograde, but in this era of Team Jacob/Edward/Peeta, that hardly stands out as old-fashioned. And realistically, this is historical fiction. In seventeenth century New England, a girl's choice of husband really did go a long way towards deciding her fate in life. Go Team Nat!

So yes, I'd hand this book to any kid today (and I would probably play up the love triangle plot as well, because frankly, the witch trial was a bit of a letdown after all the foreshadowing). I really like the cover they're using these days too, with rosy-cheeked Kit looking all ready to start some Caribbean-style trouble. Ahead of her time, just like her creator.

But happily, Elizabeth George Speare is not one of those authors who had to wait for the world to catch up to her talent. She won the Newbery Medal twice, as well as a Newbery Honor, the Scott O'Dell, and, in 1989, the Wilder. Wilder Committee chair Anita Silvey commented on the "vitality and energy, grace of writing, historical accuracy and tremendous feeling for place and character" of Speare's writing. That feeling for place is very much apparent in Witch, where Kit is reluctantly seduced by the landscape of Speare's native New England.

Aaaand it was in that very New England that the book was challenged a mere ten years ago. For promoting witchcraft. File under "unclear on the concept."

This is the first time I've read this book, which is truly unfortunate.

If only I had read this during my teenage years (or perhaps in the later stages of middle school), it would have made an indelible impression on me. I wholeheartedly loved the story. Kit Tyler has to bid farewell to her childhood home in Barbados and relocate to the Connecticut Colony in the seventeenth century. There, she has to adapt to the Puritan lifestyle. It's a relatively easy read, yet it is brimming with emotional depth and features remarkable characters.

This edition is introduced by Karen Cushman, the author of the outstanding Catherine, Called Birdy. In her introduction, Cushman reveals that both she and Elizabeth George Speare penned their first novels in their fifties. Now, that is truly inspirational! It shows that it's never too late to pursue one's passion and create something wonderful.

Recommended for: Ages 8 to Adult (or slightly younger as a read-aloud)

Rating: PG

This is yet another book that my mom read to my sisters and me during lunch when we were kids. Years later, it also became a family read-aloud. The only other book I can recall having this status is Anne of Green Gables. I adored The Witch of Blackbird Pond even as a young child. I can vividly remember stomping my foot and loudly proclaiming, "She's not a witch." Along with the same author's The Bronze Bow and Esther Forbes's Johnny Tremain, it remains among my all-time favorite historical fiction books. At present, I really can't think of any other books that rank as high on my list of favorite historical fiction.

Don't be deterred by the title. There is no witchcraft in the book at all. What I usually say is that it's basically a Salem Witch Trial type of book, except they're not in Salem. They're in Wethersfield, another coastal town in New England.

Kit Tyler has to leave her home in Barbados to live with her Puritan relatives. Watching her attempt to fit in is both difficult and entertaining. She truly knows nothing about Puritan life. It's a disaster at the dame school that finally drives her to the meadow, where she meets Hannah Tupper. Everyone assumes Hannah is a witch simply because she is a Quaker, not a Puritan. Then she accidentally gets little Prudence Cruff into trouble, and only Prudence herself, with the help of Nat Eaton, can get them out of it.

I truly love these characters and their relationships. Kit is so easy to identify with. She's stubborn and not the least bit Puritan, but she wants to help people, specifically Prudence. Prudence is mistreated and called stupid by her overbearing mother when in reality she is extremely intelligent. Hannah Tupper is a delightful old lady, and no more a witch than you or I. And I love Nat. He's no more perfect than Kit, but he's a good man and a truly wonderful character. Yes, there is some romance, but it's in the perfect place, a subplot that is clean and sweet and wouldn't turn off young children. It just makes the story even more wonderful than it already is.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a rich story, full of history, characters, and a great plot, with brilliant writing. It's such an amazing book. I'm realizing that a lot of my favorite books are Newberies. The only favorites that aren't are ones that are ineligible, for example, written by a British author, or a recent book by an indie author that is for an older audience and/or wouldn't have been entered. The Witch of Blackbird Pond is no exception. It deserves the Newbery it won. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

For more reviews from me and my sisters, visit www.shirereviews.blogspot.com

Rarely does it happen that a book transports us so vividly into the life of the 17th century. "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare, which was published by YoungArt last month, is such a remarkable work. From the very first pages, I knew I would love this reading passionately, and I wasn't disappointed!

The story follows Kit, a young girl who is left alone in the world after her grandfather's death. For various reasons, she must leave Barbados and boards the Dolphin, where she experiences several adventures and encounters. It's interesting how some of the characters on board accompany us throughout the book, all heading towards Kit's destination: Connecticut, where her only relatives live.

Although the place where Kit arrives doesn't make a great first impression, it has something wonderful that makes the protagonist feel at home: the Great Meadow. The action of the book takes place during a time when many parts of the world suspected the existence of witches and often blamed women for strange, terrifying, and inexplicable events. We encounter this aspect in the story, but with the help of the characters' struggles, we also witness some changes that alter the course of events.

I really liked that this book gave me a sense of relaxation and peace, making me love the characters and the places described. While reading, I had a vague memory of "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" by Neil Gaiman (I'm not sure why), and my thoughts flew to the wonderful anime of Studio Ghibli, with the meadow in my mind being a magical place just like in those animations.

Kit's sisters were very dear to me, with Mercy being my favorite. Prudence, a shy girl with whom Kit will have a special relationship, showed me how much courage she has for her friends, even though she may get into trouble by defending them. The Witch Hanna has a special kind of magic within her that many of us would love to encounter in our lives!

The atmosphere in Kit's new home is often tense, and we see her trying to adapt to a new lifestyle, completely different from what she was used to. I appreciated how her character evolves a lot but still manages to preserve the madness that defines Kit. Nat was my favorite male character, his attraction to the Dolphin being impressive. The relationship between him and Kit amused me many times, as they often exchange sharp remarks that have a hidden meaning...

I think I've already told you quite a lot about this book, so I won't go on. I leave you with the wonderful quotes below, which I hope will transport you into the world I recently traveled through.

Rating: 5+5

  „Rar s-a mai întâmplat ca o carte să ne transporte în așa fel în viața din secolul al XVII-lea.“ - New York Herald-Tribune


„O carte remarcabilă, plină de energie și de empatie.“ - Bookmark

Citate:

  

"Nat privi în sus și-i surprinse privirea melancolică.

- Haideți, nu vreți în apă? o luă el peste picior.

- Păi, nu spuneai dumneata să nu mai fac niciodată așa ceva? replică Kit pripit.

- Aveți nevoie de-o scuză? Bine, strig după ajutor și mă bag sub apă. N-o să puteți să stați acolo și să vă uitați cum mă înec, nu?

- Oho, și încă cum! râse Kit fără să vrea. Chiar așa aș face.

- Atunci n-aveți decât să stați acolo și să vă prăjiți, răspunse Nat." (p.30)


"Obrajii lui Kit se făcură purpurii. În ultimele nouă zile, Nat avusese grijă să se afle mereu în altă parte - de ce trebuia să fie așa aproape chiar în clipa aceea? Acum, orice urma să se întâmple, avea să fie și el de față, cu ochii lui albaștri, ironici, și cu zâmbetul lui nonșalant care o scotea din minți." (p.36)


"Doi dintre cei trei marinari deja porniseră la drum, dar Nat încă stătea lângă cufere și se uita la ea. Când li se întâlniră privirile, între ei parcă străfulgeră ceva, o întrebare încărcată deodată cu regret. Dar înainte să-și dea seama Kit, clipa trecu, iar în ochii tânărului apăru din nou sclipirea aceea ironică.

- Țineți minte, spuse el încet. Numai cele vinovate plutesc.

Apoi plecă și el." (p.39)


"Cum ieșiră din pâlcul de copaci, Lunca Mare se așternu la picioarele lor, iar lui Kit i se tăie răsuflarea. Nu se așteptase nici pe departe la așa ceva. Din clipa aceeam nu-și explica nici ea cum, Lunca puse întru totul stăpânire pe ea. Se întindea cât vedea cu ochii, în toate direcțiile, formând o mare liniștită de verde, presărată pe ici, pe colo, cu câte un mesteacăn singuratic și majestuos. La ce o ducea cu gândul, la câmpurile de trestie de zahăr sau la oceanul care se străduia la nesfârșit să atingă cerul? Sau poate că senzația aceea de libertate, întinderea și lumina din luncă îi aminteau toate de acasă?" (p.80)


"- Mi-ați dat un răspuns, nu-i așa? Cred că înțeleg ce-ați vrut să spuneți.

Femeia clătină din cap,

- Răspunsul e în inima ta, spuse ea blând. Matale poți să-l auzi întotdeauna, dacă stai s-asculți." (p.99)


"Așteptă să vadă barca îndepărtându-se de mal. La jumătatea distanței până la corabie, Nat se întoarse și o privi lung. Apoi ridică mâna, în tăcere. Kit ridică și ea mâna să-l salute, după care se întoarse și o porni spre casă de-a lungul fluviului. Nu îndrăznea să stea până când barca avea să ajungă la Delfin. Încă o clipă și și-ar fi pierdut ultima urmă de bun simț și de mândrie și s-ar fi aruncat în apă după barcă, implorându-i să n-o lase acolo." (p.189)

"Buy the truth, and do not sell it,

also wisdom and instruction and understanding."

- Psalm 23:23

This book is a truly wholly satisfying read. It offers a respectable look at Puritan life that is both engaging and thought-provoking. I'm a 23-year-old guy in college, and I never expected to get so emotionally invested in it. But there were several parts that really tugged at my heartstrings. I was legitimately frustrated, angry, and even a little teary-eyed at times. My favorite scenes were without a doubt John's return home and the final pages of the book. The character of Thankful Peabody was a delight, and it was impossible not to love her. On the other hand, Goodwife Cruff was completely and impressively unlikeable. If I'm fortunate enough to have a daughter or two someday, this book will most definitely have a place on their bookshelf. It's a wonderful story that I would highly recommend to anyone.

5+ stars (7/10 hearts). I have always been an ardent lover of this book. It has held me in its thrall for years, and each time I pick it up and reread it, I find myself irresistibly drawn under its spell once more. I'm not entirely certain what it is that makes this book so incredibly captivating to me. Perhaps it's a combination of several elements.

First and foremost, the setting is phenomenally well-crafted. The atmosphere is so immersive that you truly feel as if you are transported to New England, whether it's the sweltering schoolroom, the frigid church, or Hannah's breezy meadows. I have the utmost admiration for Speare's ability to masterfully handle the language. Not everyone can pen an old-fashioned dialogue that is both easily understandable and doesn't confuse or jar the reader.

Secondly, the plot is engaging. I never held a particularly high opinion of the Pilgrim Fathers or the Puritans based on what I had read about them. While I'm sure there were God-fearing, truth-honoring, and love-following men among them, for the most part, their actions left me in doubt about the state of their hearts. However, the message of this book transcends all the denominations of "Christendom." It is a powerful condemnation of religion without God, of tradition and hypocrisy, and of the pharisees who have the law on their lips but not in their hearts. Perhaps these men and others like them meant well, but their decisions and declarations were rarely rooted in real precepts. And, of course, it is a strong statement against prejudice, ostracism, and witch-hunting.

The characters in the book are either ones I really liked or ones I really disliked. Matthew angered me to no end, but at least he is a man. It is only at the very end, like Kit, that I begin to respect and even like him. John was nice but spineless for 95% of the book. William was interesting and a bit more manly, with great potential. I think he would have flourished much better elsewhere, personally. Poor Aunt Rachel had my sympathy. Judith I didn't care for, but there were times when you had to like her. Mercy was a sweetheart, Hannah was a dear, poor lady, and Kit herself I understood and felt for deeply. She is so relatable, so strong, honest, and hopeful. Prudence was a cinnamon roll - poor baby! Why on earth didn't anyone in that "Christian" colony step in to protect her from that awful mother?! And then there's Nat. I don't admire everything he did, but I have a great deal of respect and admiration for him. He was a real man with real courage and love.

Yes, I love this book because it is so thought-provoking, so real, so intense, so interesting, and so well-written. The theme/message is just so beautiful and so expertly executed. Oh, and there are the ships and Barbados. <33 I don't know why, but I have such a thing for ships and Pacific islands, and this book describes them so well... <33

A Favourite Beautiful Quote: The maple tree in front of the doorstep burned like a gigantic red torch. The oaks along the roadway glowed yellow and bronze. The fields seemed like a carpet of jewels, emerald and topaz and garnet. Everywhere she walked the color shouted and sang around her. The dried brown leaves crackled beneath her feet and gave off a delicious smoky fragrance….

A Favourite Humorous Quote: ‘I think you should have one of those new roofs, William[.] Gambrel, they call them.... I think they look so distinguished, don’t you, John?’
Mercy laughed at John’s bewilderment. ‘I don’t believe John even notices there’s a roof over his head,’ she teased gently, ‘unless the rain happens to leak through onto his nose.’
‘And then he’d just pick up his book and move somewhere else,’ added Kit.

So, I read this for the first time since 5th grade.

As a kid, the romance between Kit & Nat gave me great anxiety. I truly desired them to end up together. The thought that they might not was extremely painful because it was so obvious that they were the OTP of this book. So, when I picked it up again after so many years, I remembered little else about the story.

But as an adult, two things stand out. Firstly, the relationship between Kit & her uncle Matthew. They have significant differences in ideology, both religious and political. Kit makes no apologies for having owned slaves in the past, which is great as it doesn't have the overly sanitized 21st-century view. She also doesn't understand her uncle's Puritan obsession with work for the sake of working. Matthew, on the other hand, thinks Kit is too lazy and needs supervision to finish basic chores, which she does. Her religious training is lax, and her flouting of convention sometimes goes too far. However, he is clearly a good man. He takes her in, treats her as equal to his daughters, and stands up for her in public, which Kit gradually comes to appreciate. Reading between the lines, we can see how Matthew comes to esteem her 'wild' instincts of charity and inclusion. I thought their relationship was very realistic in terms of a guardian and ward. By the end of the book, they still don't agree on everything, but they do respect each other.

Secondly, there is a complete lack of sexual menace in a period rife with that particular issue. This is clearly a book for younger readers. None of the male characters ever think or behave in any improper way, regardless of their age or role in the story. There is no exploration of the sexual jealousy that was so important to the Salem-area paranoia, especially with young, pretty 'witches' like Kit, who were often charged with wantonly tempting the so-called upstanding male citizens. It's not that there wasn't room for these elements in the storyline; rather, they were nonexistent. Similarly, Kit's adventures could have been the outline for an excellent bodice ripper, but the author glossed over much of the peril inherent in her story. It's a book that would only need a small nudge to turn into a gripping ripper-style novel for adults, but it's a young adult read from 40+ years ago, so that nudge is simply not there.

It's not that I demand every book to flaunt a score of hardcore ripper themes, but when the plot presents so many opportunities and ignores them, it's disappointing to my more sophisticated adult eyes. Certainly, I loved this book as a 5th grader. Nowadays, I call it an enjoyable light read and give 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up for the sake of nostalgia. (I still love that beautiful red cover, though. It's one of my favorites.)

**Says the girl who will never give up her Ghostbusters dvd. Never, dammit. That's a big twinkie.

I first read this book in 6th grade. It was like opening a door to a whole new world for me. Since then, I've reread it countless times. In fact, the book is now so worn out that it's almost falling apart. I really don't know exactly why I have such a deep love for this book, but there's no denying that I do. I am completely captivated by the characters. There's Kit, with her spunk and determination. Then there's Nat, who is so charming and kind. And let's not forget Hannah, who adds a touch of mystery and wisdom to the story. But it's not just these main characters. All of the other characters in the book are so well-developed and unique that they each leave a lasting impression on me.

I think I read this about nine times as a teenager. So yeah, I really like it. You might say that it has a certain charm.

Cleanliness is an important aspect to consider.

Sexual Content: There are several incidents related to lust. For example, a girl smiles at a boy and he becomes speechless. A girl deliberately studies a young man's profile. Also, at a corn husking, a young man gets a red ear of corn and claims his kiss. There are other miscellaneous sexual incidents as well, such as a young man helping a young lady by offering his hand to get off a boat or steady her balance.

Profanity: There are a few mild obscenities and substitutions, like "d*mn". There are also some religious profanities like "Heavens", "for heaven's sake", and "Glory be to heaven". There is one derogatory term, "Negro".

Violence: Fortunately, there is no violence in this.

Conversation Topics: There are interesting topics like a girl being thought a witch because she can swim and an old woman being thought a witch because she is Quaker and the others are Puritans. Superstitions are mentioned throughout. The girl protests about having to go to church again in the same day. Cider and All Hallows Eve with witches and broomsticks are also mentioned in a non-believing, teasing way.

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In 1687, when the 16-year-old Kit Tyler's grandfather passes away and she is persistently bothered by one of his debtors, she reluctantly departs from Barbados and sets sail for Connecticut to establish a home with her aunt Rachel, whom she has never met before.

On board the Dolphin, she befriends the sea captain's son and a solemn young minister who is also bound for Wethersfield. Regrettably, Kit also makes an adversary in her future neighbor, Goodwife Cruff, who is distrustful of Kit's exotic origin and impulsive nature, and cautions her to stay away from her young daughter, Prudence.

Kit's aunt Rachel is married to a stern Puritan, Matthew Wood. While Rachel greets Kit warmly, her uncle deems her flighty and yet another mouth to feed. Her cousins gradually warm up to her, but Kit's arrival somewhat reminds me of They Loved to Laugh, where Martitia seems unable to do anything correctly. Life in this dull New England town is enlivened by three men: William Ashby, the son of the wealthiest man in town; John Holbrook, the young minister who was her first friend but now appears interested in Kit's cousin; and Nat Eaton, the young seaman who always teases her. When Kit's friendship with the Witch of Blackbird Pond drags her into mortal peril, which man will come to her rescue?

I had not reread this for years and had forgotten what an astonishing book it is!

I read this book because my 12-year-old son told me that I should definitely read it. And I don't regret it at all. What a difficult yet beautiful story it is!

It is a story about strength, bravery, acceptance, and family. There is so much more to it than that. It is a historical fiction that I highly recommend.

The characters in the story are well-developed and the plot is engaging. It takes you on a journey through a different time and place, and makes you feel as if you are a part of it.

The author has done an excellent job of researching and presenting the historical context in a way that is both educational and entertaining.

I would encourage anyone who enjoys historical fiction or a good story to read this book. It is one that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

The first thing that attracted me to this book was, of course, the cover. Isn't it superb? To be honest, I didn't expect to like the story so much, although Simona had told me it was great. What can I say, I started the year excellently, with very good books. :D

Kit, our protagonist, is forced to leave the island of Barbados after the death of her grandfather and embarks on a long journey on the ship Dolphin to reach her aunt in the colony of Connecticut, the only relative she has left alive. Although she is a friendly nature, she discovers that not everyone has the same views as her and that only a few people on the ship like her. From the very first sight, it is observed that she is very different from the others and she feels that she will never get used to the strict rules by which they live. In her attempt to adapt to the changes and integrate into the landscape, she learns a lot of new things and most of them are useful and help her develop as a woman.

The action takes place in the 17th century and the author does a wonderful job of describing that period. I have only read one other book of this kind and it has become a period that I am very interested in.

It was so easy for me to put myself in Kit's place and understand her frustrations and discontents because, in my opinion, the Puritan beliefs are absurd and as narrow-minded as possible. I don't even know if I could manage to follow their way of life. I really liked her relationship with her cousins (Mercy was my favorite) and how she tries to help them as much as possible with the chores, although at the beginning she is very unskilled and clumsy.

Hannah is the sweetest woman you can meet in this inhospitable place and it is impossible not to love her, and the attitude of the locals towards her seems unfair and unnatural to me and I felt bad that the others didn't even try to see beyond the appearances. Kit's friendship with Hannah is probably the best thing that has happened to her since she arrived on the island and surely she has a lot to learn from her.

Another character I like is Prudence, the girl she meets on her way to Connecticut and whom she wants to help as much as she can, but it is almost impossible because of her mother, who is of a cruelty without equal. This woman was very unpleasant! :))

As a male character, I was attached to Nat, a young man she also knows on the Dolphin. He is the only one who tries to warn her of the evils she will encounter and who tries to show her what she has to do to be accepted by the Puritans. Although he respects their rules, he is capable of breaking them to help his friends, and this has raised him enormously in my eyes.

Overall, I really liked this book very much and I recommend it to you with pleasure.