Mommy Brain

Now I remember why I read this book over and over again as a young girl! I assigned Natalie to read this a couple months ago, and she complained and whined about having to read it – but in the end she loved it. I decided to re-read it myself before returning it.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is an example of a perfect historical novel. It has adventure, romance, danger, history – what more could you want? And Speare is brilliant at writing historical details in such a way that they are just part of the story – you don’t feel like you’re reading a history lesson.

When Natalie was only about 1/3 of the way through, and hadn’t been “grabbed” by the story yet, she asked me why I was making her read it. I told her that she can learn many things about history from reading historical novels – and it’s much more pleasant than reading a history text. She said, “I’m not learning anything!”

I proceeded to ask her several questions about daily life in Puritan New England: what they dressed like, what their church services were like, what their schools were like, how they cooked their meals, what housework did they do, etc. She answered each question knowledgably, and then a light bulb came on. “Oh.”

The Witch of Blackbird Pond tells the story of Kit, a 16-year-old girl who has been raised on Barbados by her grandfather. When her grandfather dies, Kit is forced to sell his estate to pay off debts. She leaves on a ship for colonial Connecticut, hoping to be welcomed into her aunt’s family.

Life in New England is very different than what Kit is used to. The town her aunt and uncle live in is a Puritan town, and Kit is disliked from the start – for her wardrobe, her ability to swim, her knowledge of literature and plays. She learns to work alongside her cousins Judith and Mercy, having had everything done for her by slaves as a child.

Her only refuge is the Blackbird Pond and the cottage of Widow Tupper, a Quaker, and therefore an outcast. Hannah Tupper refuses to go to Meeting, and is fined and shunned for it. People in town believe she is a witch, and when many children in town become sick with a mysterious illness, Hannah becomes the scapegoat – as does Kit, by association.

This book gives a good understanding of the ignorance and fear that existed during the time of the witch trials in the Colonies, and would make a great read-aloud or assigned reading for your older elementary or junior high students.

5 stars