The Witch of Blackbird Pond (Elizabeth George Speare)

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 Language: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆

Genre: Historical fiction, feel-good, children's literature 

 

Synopsis

Set in the 1600s, The Witch of Blackbird Pond leads readers on a journey of self-discovery and finding a home in the most unexpected places alongside teenage Kit Tyler. Orphaned and forced off the island she had grown up on, Kit travels to America by herself, hoping to find refuge at her aunt and uncle's place.

She is taken in, but discovers that a house to stay in is simply not enough. She finds herself a misfit, somewhat of an outcast, an oddball. Tangled events lead to Kit befriending an old, ostracized woman who had been bluntly labelled a witch by the townspeople, and a tender, yet risky relationship blossoms between the two outsiders.


Thoughts

After having heard of this book by several other people (and praised highly, too!), I finally decided to take it up. I was not disappointed. Definitely one of those homely, feel-good stories, this little novel uncovers a small window into the past, witch-hunting days of New England: the life and beliefs of the people, the culture experienced, the hurdles and troubles faced...

Though I felt like the climax was not all very suspenseful, the characters were found humorous and unique, and the plot intriguing. 


Recommendation

I would encourage those between 9-16 to give this a go.

It is not difficult to read, and Speare's narration keeps you engaged throughout, but the themes of exclusion and witch-hunting may not land as clearly on a young child as it would a slightly older one.



Go and read it!

living in dreams

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