At a glance
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Children's historical fiction
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
272 pages · First published 2011
In 1687, sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler leaves her beloved Barbados after her grandfather's death and travels to Wethersfield, Connecticut, where she struggles to fit into her relatives' strict Puritan community. Accustomed to freedom and comfort, Kit finds refuge in the friendship of Hannah Tupper, an elderly Quaker whom the townspeople fear is a witch, and in secretly teaching a young girl named Prudence to read. But when illness spreads through the settlement, suspicion turns against Hannah, and Kit's loyalty to her friend places her in danger of being accused of witchcraft herself. As fear and prejudice threaten the people she loves, Kit must find the courage to defend her convictions and discover where she truly belongs. This Newbery Medal-winning historical novel combines colonial American life, friendship, gentle romance, and a gripping examination of intolerance, conscience, and courage.
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No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
Religious intolerance and persecution; accusations of witchcraft and a public trial; mob hostility and threats against an elderly woman; serious illness and fear of death during an epidemic; prejudice, bullying, and harsh treatment of a child; orphanhood and grief; mild romantic themes. No actual witchcraft or supernatural horror.
Alcohol-Free Pour
Orchard Mulled Cider
Warm apple cider with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves suits an atmospheric autumn reading session with Kit's story of courage, friendship, and finding a place to belong.
What you'll need
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.How to mix it
- Warm the cider with spices and fruit for 5–10 minutes without boiling. Strain if desired and serve hot.
- Garnish: Cinnamon stick or orange slice.
- Glassware: Mug.
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Mug ↗Cocktail Pour · 21+
Chapterhouse Amber Ale
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
A mellow amber ale evokes the rustic atmosphere of colonial New England, where Kit must navigate unfamiliar customs and a community increasingly divided by fear.
What you'll need
- 12 oz Amber ale
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How to mix it
- Pour into a clean pint glass and serve at the appropriate cool serving temperature.
- Garnish: None.
- Glassware: Pint glass.
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