after seeing the goosebumps movie, i went looking for goosebumps books at the library. unfortunately, they didn't have any, but fortunately the word witch caught my eye, so i decided to check out the witch of blackbird pond. though it wasn't exactly the kind of horror show i was looking for halloween, it was a wonderful book!
sadly, i never read the witch of blackbird pond, as a kid, but glad i did as an adult. set in the 17th century, the novel tells the story of a young girl, kit. after the death of her grandfather, she left barbados to live with her aunt and her family in a colony in connecticut. in barbados, kit lead a life of luxury, but she must adjust to the spartan life style of the purtians. god and work lead life and kid initially has a difficult time adjusting.
the witch part of the books comes when kit befriended the town's "witch", hannah tupper, who lived by blackbird pond. hannah was a quaker and since their beliefs did not align with that of the purtians, she and her husbands were branded and sent from their previous town. the people of kit's colony, regarded her as a witch, and people were forbidden to interact with her. one day, kit sad about getting her cousin mercy in trouble, ran out toward the pond crying. hannah took her in and gave her advice. kit, then began visiting hannah regularly, after learning her friend, nate from her voyage to america, was hannah's friend as well.
things started to go well for kit, the wealthiest boy in colony, wanted to marry her. she and mercy continue with their school. however, it all fell apart when kids began to get sick and die and hannah was blamed. kit helped hannah escape only to end up on trial for being a witch!
in the end, it all worked out because hey, this is a children's novel. there was even a double wedding kind deal and a third engagement, which i found odd, but it was a different time.
this book is a must read for any and every girl. kit is a wonderful role model for girls, she goes to the beat of her own drum, regardless of the scrutiny of others. kit, also, has a heart of gold and demonstrates we should always do what is right versus what religion or society may tells us.
this book also gives an important lesson religious tolerance. someone may not have the same beliefs as us, but that does not make them evil. also organized religious can do a lot more harm then good when corrupted by those wanting power.
lastly, this book is a great introduction to the topic of the salem witch trials for kids. it got me interested in the topic and i plan on reading more about these crazy accusations. it was shocked with the novels initially introduction of witch like behavior. not seemed so silly for people to freak out because kit can swim. no one was logical and assumed she could because it was customary in barbados. furthermore, it was crazy to see the accusations that came up in trial, people accused of bewitching animals?!?! i know it made me grateful to have not been born in that era, because i would have definitely been labelled a witch! it's sad though to think of the women that were burned at stake or drowned on these false accusations.
this book is a truly great read and a must for everyone, especially women of all ages!
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