Module 4--The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare



Source: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6062766-witch-of-blackbird-pond

Summary: 

Kit Tyler, arrived unannounced and homeless to her aunt and uncle's household in Colonial Connecticut after a long journey by sailboat from her home in Barbados. Adjusting to life with her new found family, the townspeople's discerning ways, and a long list of chores would prove challenging to any newcomer, but it was especially trying for the free-spirited Kit.  Kit's friendship with a shunned widow and her courtship with an important townsman added to her challenges. In the end, Kit finds her way in life and love when she decides to join the sail ship of her true love Nat, who named the ship Witch after her.

APA Reference: 

Speare, E. (1986). The witch of Blackbird Pond.   New York, NY: Hougton Mifflin Company.  (Originally published in 1958).

My Impressions: 

This book is a historical novel that offers insight into the old ways of Colonial times. As I read, I kept imagining this book as the jumping point of conversation in a U.S. History classroom. Where a teacher might struggle to drive home an accurate description, Kit's characterization gave fresh perspective that highlighted the harsh realities of long chore-filled days, lackluster possessions, religion-tempered opinions and minimal options. While I question that the details are completely historically accurate and I felt there were times where the secondary characters seemed flatly portrayed, it has certainly earned the Newbery Medal for good reason. There was a complexity to the plot and themes (of finding love, being the newcomer, the dangers of gossip and intolerance and more) and a roundness of the main characters that spoke to its quality.  In terms of appeal, some would consider this book to be a slow read.  It is also very serious whereas many popular children's novels are imbedded with a lot of humor.  

Professional Reviews: 

Gr 5-8 -Mary Beth Hurt gives an excellent performance in this reading of the Newbery Award-winning novel by Elizabeth George Speare (HM, 1958). The setting is the Colony of Connecticut in 1687 amid the political and religious conflicts of that day. Sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler unexpectedly arrives at her aunt and uncle's doorstep and is unprepared for the new world which awaits her. Having been raised by her grandfather in Barbados, she doesn't understand the conflict between those loyal to the king and those who defend the Connecticut Charter. Unprepared for the religious intolerance and rigidity of the Puritan community, she is constantly astounding her aunt, uncle, and cousins with her dress, behavior, and ideas. She takes comfort in her secret friendship with the widow, Hannah Tupper, who has been expelled from Massachusetts because she is a Quaker and suspected of being a witch. When a deathly sickness strikes the village, first Hannah and then Kit are accused of being witches. Through these conflicts and experiences, Kit comes to know and accept herself. She learns not to make hasty judgments about people, and that there are always two sides to every conflict. There are several minor plots as well, including three romances, which help to bring this time and place to life. Hurt's use of vocal inflection and expression make this an excellent choice for listening whether as an enrichment to the social studies curriculum or purely for pleasure.

Mandell, P., & Moffet, M. (2003). [Review of the audiobook The witch of Blackbird Pond, by E. G. Spear]. School Library Journal, 49(4), 88. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com

Gr. 6–8. Hurt masterfully reads this Newbery award winner, set in seventeenth-century Puritan New England. Orphan Kit Tyler sails to the Connecticut colony to live with her aunt and uncle, but despite earnest attempts to belong, her behavior is unacceptable by Puritan standards. Criticized by the community, Kit seeks solace with a kindly old Quaker woman. Hurt’s youthful voice and soft New England accent perfectly match Kit’s buoyant personality and well-meaning antics. Hurt’s perception of the story enables her to shift seamlessly among characters, and she ably portrays everyone, including Kit’s soft-spoken aunt and her terse, unforgiving uncle. The villager’s talk of heresy is thick with suspicion, and Hurt’s capable reading accentuates this sense of foreboding.

Rich, A. (2002). [Review of the audiobook The witch of Blackbird Pond, by E. G. Spear]. Booklist, 99(5), 518.  Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com

Library Uses: 

Colonial Research: Collaborate with U.S. History teachers to imbed this novel into the Colonial America unit using a set of discussion questions.  Additionally, students could each be assigned an aspect of Colonial life encountered in this book to research and present findings.  Aspects for topic consideration would include:  clothing, courtship, homes/buildings, justice system, religion, witchcraft, schooling, and trading.

Adding Character to History: Similarly, excerpts of the chapters that show how easily Kit was seen as a witch when she swam to save the doll and Hannah as a sweet lady who was made out to be a witch for different religious views could be used with a class that is studying the Salem Witch Trials.