LDS Women's Book Review

Elizabeth George Speare

ISBN: 978-0-440-49596-3

Publisher: Yearling/Random House

Original Published Date: 1958

Paperback: 249 pages

FTC- borrowed from library

For October's bookclub, we wanted to do something "witchy", and since it had been MANY years since we are were in junior high, we decided to read this. I didn't remember much about it when I read it in sixth grade, so I was really excited to read it again. Well, come to find out, I didn't remember a thing about it, so it was like reading it for the first time. First of all, it's an amazing story. Kit arrives from Barbados to her extended family in Connecticut in 1687. Her grandfather that she lived with has died and she is an orphan, so she took care of the estate in Barbados and went to Connecticut to live with her mother's sister, Rachel. (Kit just never mentioned it to them that she was coming). On the Dolphin, she meets Nat, the captain's son. And John Holbrook who is coming to Connecticut to be a preacher. Those on the ship took her as strange. During the boat transfer, a doll of Prudence Cruff's fall into the water. Kit, tired of waiting for someone else to help, jumps in and swims to the doll. Goody Cruff, her mother, is not pleased and right away calls her a witch because she can swim. Not a good start for Kit.

After a long trudge up the river, she arrives in Wethersfield. Kit, who is a bit spoiled from her upbringing, finds the town very plain. She gets to her aunt's house, meets her cousins, and uncle. Matthew Wood and his family live a very pure life. And Matthew isn't happy with Kit's seven trunks and all the flashy dresses inside. Right away Kit is put to work, and wonders where the slaves are to help, but she adjusts and starts to get suitors from town. After one hard day, Kit runs off and finds a beautiful meadow. There she meets the witch of Blackbird Pond, Hannah. A wonderful woman, who is very kind, sweet, and also misunderstood. Being friends with her could get Kit in a lot of trouble.

If it's been awhile since you have read this, or even if you haven't, it's never too late. Wonderful story. There are some very funny, and sweet things that happen. And also some frustrating things. Crazy that the witch hunts really happened. I love the ending and the change in many of the characters. My favorite part is when a certain character comes back from war and what he does when he gets back...

4 stars of out five!

Happy Halloween...