W is for Witch (of Blackbird Pond)

This was a school book that I read in middle school. This is a book that I love so much I went out and found me a copy and reread it years later. This is a book that is worth the read, young or old.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond was written by Elizabeth George Speare and published n 1958.

The story is of one Kit Tyler, who after her Grandfather's death travels from Barbados, where she was raised to Wethersfield, Connecticut. After she becomes an orphan she finds  her Aunt Rachel and Uncle Matthew in the north and happen to be puritans. Kit is not! She's lives on atropical island with servants her whole life. Now she has to learn how to fit, smack in the middle of a colder and darker world, one that thinks anything different is wrong and she has to work to earn her way. She meets and befriends Hannah Tupper, a Quaker, and fellow outcast. The village believes is a witch. Kit tries very hard to fit in  and wants to help, but finds herself suspected of witchcraft. It is only because someone comes forward explaining that Kit was just trying to help, and Kit is released from her suspicion. Her name is cleared.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a wonderful story set in a familiar time period, but is told is such a way that you can picture what Wethersfield looks like, or Hannah Tupper's house, or the deck of the ship The Dolphin. I love livid imagery and wonderful detailed places, and yet it doesn't sacrifice the story. If you get a chance, you should definitely read. it.

Island Girl

Traveling across the ocean

to a cold and faraway place,

where you know no one,

and everyone believes you are wrong.

To a cold and faraway place,

where suspicion reigns eternal

and everyone believes you are wrong,

because you can swim.

Where suspicion reigns eternal

and everything is to be feared,

because you can swim

or teach Bible scenes through acting.

And everything is to be feared,

because if it doesn't fit with God's plan

or teach Bible scenes through acting

to the children in school.

Because if it doesn't fit with God's plan, 

like Quakers and girls from Barbados.

To the children in school

you are condemned a witch.

Like Quakers and girls from Barbados

who are a little different.

You are condemned a witch,

that is the end, you think.

Who are a little different,

where you know no one,

that is the end, you think;

traveling across the ocean.