Genre 5--Book Review 2

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Speare, Elizabeth George. 1958. THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
ISBN: 0-670-06134-4

Audiobook published by Listening Library and read by Mary Beth Hurt.


PLOT SUMMARY

After her grandfather’s death, sixteen-year-old Katherine Tyler leaves her beloved home in Barbados and buys passage on a ship destined for Connecticut. On the voyage, Katherine-known to her family as Kit-quickly discovers that her independence and loyalist upbringing invites suspicion among the Puritans in the colonies. During an episode on the journey, Kit jumps overboard to rescue a little girl’s doll and competently swims back to the ship. The little girl, Prudence, is delighted, but her mother is outraged. She suggests that Kit’s swimming prowess reveals that she may be a witch since “No respectable woman could stay afloat like that.” During the voyage Kit also captures the attention of the captain’s son Nat and a young minister, John Holbrook.

After Kit reaches her aunt and uncle’s home, she begins to discover the severe lifestyle of the Puritans. Although she chafes against the religious fanaticism of the culture, she finds a tenuous friendship with her cousin Judith and a deep fondness for her cousin Mercy.

Suitors soon come to call and the handsome, successful William Ashby sets his sights for Kit while Judith becomes determined to marry John Holbrook. Kit begins to teach school with Mercy and befriends a Quaker woman named Hannah who, although permitted to live at the edge of the community, is ostracized and condemned as a witch. Kit also befriends Prudence and introduces her to Hannah. She teaches the little girl to read and write. After an outbreak of fever ravages the town, several people blame Hannah for the disease and determine to bring her to trial. Kit intervenes and, with Nat’s assistance, helps her escape.

In the middle of the night, the townsfolk come to her aunt and uncle's home and accuse Kit of witchcraft. Her hornbook was found in Hannah’s house and serves as the “proof” of her association with the old witch. At the questioning, Nat saves her by bringing Prudence to testify to her innocence.

Judith ends up marrying William and Mercy marries John Holbrook. Kit determines to go back to her beloved Barbados and become a governess. Before she leaves, however, Nat comes up the river on his new ship “The Witch” which he named in her honor. He proposes marriage and Kit happily accepts.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Elizabeth George Speare’s young adult novel THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND, published in 1958,is a historical novel that paints an accurate picture of life in the new American colonies. The characters are complex and well-developed. Written in the third person, the book is told from Kit’s point of view and the people and events are filtered by her perspective.

Speare, through straightforward description and narration, clearly show the hardships of living in the rawness of the new world. The narrow minds and prejudices of the Puritans are reflected while also showing their humanity and commitment to their ideals.

Speare also captures the political conflicts of the period and the impending Revolution. Kit is torn between her loyalties to the King—after all her grandfather was a loyal subject—and her new relationships with her uncle and Nat.

Although perhaps a bit predictable, the “witch hunt” at the end of the novel provides a dramatic climax. The ending was also a bit predictable, but would probably satisfy young readers.

The audiobook is read by Mary Beth Hurt. Her characterizations are most effective when she portrays the adult characters. Her tone reflects the formality of the period. Her portrayal of Kit, however, seemed too mature.

REVIEW EXCERPTS AND HONORS

Newbery Medal 1959

Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, October 23, 2006
Details about the era-popular music, pastimes and products-add authenticity to the story as do brief appearances of some historic figures including Robert Oppenheimer, who breaks the news to Dewey that her father has been killed in a car accident.

Starred Review from BOOKLIST, November 15, 2006
The novel occasionally gets mired down in detail, but the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes. -John Green

Review from VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES, February 1, 2007
The book is well written, with intelligent characters and understandable descriptions of the place and the work being accomplished. Its well-researched information, including the debate that occurred when the scientists realized what they had created, will appeal to readers of historical fiction.-Cindy Faughnan

Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, 2003
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.-Maureen Cash Moffet

CONNECTIONS

Use as part of a study on the Salem Witch Trials.

This is great website with extensive ideas for teaching early American studies and the novel. It includes great webquests.
http://eduscapes.com/newbery/59a.html

Read one of Elizabeth Speare's other books: THE BRONZE BOW or THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER.

Hold a mock trial as part of a reader’s theater project.