Awards: Newbery, 1959; ALA Notable Children's Book.
As a young reader I always enjoyed reading historical fiction books and The Witch of Blackbird Pond was no exception. Reading it again I experienced the same enjoyment I remember when I had last read it over thirty years ago. The characterization of Kit and the details of her surroundings brought the book to life for me. Another reason I had wanted to read it again, as it seems to be one book that is not widely read by students in the schools where I've taught. I wanted to see why. The long paragraphs of detail were interesting to me and needed to build a foundation for the plot, but to young readers in this age of technology they may be too cumbersome. It is a shame as The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a good book to introduce the Salem witch hunts and the foibles of human nature and society when reason takes a back seat.
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