Bibliographic Information:
Speare, E. G. (1958). The witch of Blackbird Pond. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Readability Level: 6.9
Audience Level: Grades 6-8
Suggested Delivery: independent or group read
Summary: 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.
-Maureen Cash Moffet, St. Anne's Catholic School, Bristol, VA
Speare, E. G. (1958). The witch of Blackbird Pond. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Readability Level: 6.9
Audience Level: Grades 6-8
Suggested Delivery: independent or group read
Summary: 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.
-Maureen Cash Moffet, St. Anne's Catholic School, Bristol, VA
Curriculum Connections:
Taken from Teacher Created Resources
Taken from Teacher Created Resources
- Love is very important in The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and many different loving relationships are described. Perhaps most special is the love that Hannah shows, for her love is unconditional; she asks for nothing in return. Explain what Hannah does for Kit, Nat, and Prudence to show love for each of them. Then explain what each does for Hannah.
- There are many kinds of friendship in The Witch of Blackbird Pond just as there are many expressions of love. Each is as unique as it is special, and out of every relationship comes selfless and loving acts that are signs of the feelings the individuals have for one another. Kit loves and wishes to protect Prudence from harm, so she accepts blame and the threat of punishment rather than revealing Prudence's disobedience. Prudence loves and is grateful for Kit, therefore she risks punishment to free Kit from a wrongful sentence. In every life there comes another person who has a very strong, positive influence, even if the time shared is brief and the influence isn't understood until later. Who in your life has shown you a special kind of friendship by acting lovingly to you in some way? Has this person risked something to help you? Did this person lend a hand? Has this person listened when you need to talk? Write the person's name and what he/she has done for you.
- The Connecticut colonists felt very strongly about their charter, and they wanted to preserve it. Research the contents and history of the Connecticut charter, and match the facts with the political events of the novel. Then with your understanding of a charter's purpose, as a class or in small groups create a classroom charter for all to sign, including the teacher.