57 pages • 1 hour read
Elizabeth George SpeareThe Witch Of Blackbird Pond
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1958A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Witch of Blackbird Pond follows sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler as she transitions from a luxurious life in Barbados to the austere Puritan community of Wethersfield, Connecticut, in 1687. Kit's vibrant personality and unconventional ways clash with her stern uncle and the local authorities. Her friendship with a reclusive Quaker woman, Hannah Tupper, and her struggles against intolerance reveal themes of belonging, individualism, and the dangers of societal prejudice.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare is lauded for its compelling narrative and historical accuracy, capturing the complexities of 17th-century Puritan New England. Praised for rich character development, especially of protagonist Kit, it also faces criticism for its sometimes slow pacing. Overall, it’s heralded as an insightful and engaging read for younger audiences.
Who Should Read The Witch Of Blackbird Pond?
A reader who would enjoy The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare is likely a fan of historical fiction, particularly with strong, independent young female protagonists. Comparable to readers of Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables, they appreciate immersive settings, personal growth, and themes of societal conflict and acceptance.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
850LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt
Emotions/Behavior: Love
Values/Ideas: Literature