I really should really mention that the version I read was illustrated by Barry Moser. I haven’t read a book with illustrations in a long time. The few pictures in the book were more like portraits of the characters. I thought the one of Kit made her look like she was twelve not sixteen.

The book won a Newberry Medal for most distinguished contribution to American Literiture for Children. My mom told me that when she was a kid she read all the books that won a Newberry. I think I remember her telling me that when she was young there were over fifty books that had won Newberry Medals.

It was a good book. But I do have a complaint. It was a little too obvious. I was frustrated the entire time that Kit didn’t know what she wanted. I remember feeling the same way the first time I read the novel. The romantic partnerships that just weren’t right were more frustrating than entertaining. I like the characters in novels to be slightly more complicated. I wanted more details of how it all righted itself. Wasn’t Judith upset when John who was promised to her ran straight to Mercy? He should have gone to Mercy. Maybe they just let “bygones be bygones” like William had suggested to Kit. Regardless, I liked that Kit learned how to work and appreciate where her food came from and what it took to get it to the table. But it was obvious from the start that Wethersfield would not be her home for long. She wouldn’t adjust herself to fit into the Puritan colony and that was a requirement of staying in the community in peace.

Why did Elizabeth Speare name the novel The Witch of Blackbird Pond? The witch of Blackbird Pond didn’t enter the story until halfway through. I thought for a little while that Kit was the witch Speare was alluding to but she was not of Blackbird Pond, her heart was though. This book was obviously about Kit. Hannah Tupper did not really change Kit, she just allowed her to be who she was. Who was the heroine? Was there more than one? Maybe Hannah was the heroine and that is why she can claim the title. Really Kit grew up a lot in the year she spent in Wethersfield. It makes me wonder if the publishers made her change the title to sound more provocative. I don’t know. If anyone has any ideas let me know. Overall, a nice easy read, not life changing, but a good book.