The Witch of Blackbird Pond, a brilliant novel by Elizabeth George Speare

Written in 1958 for children, I thoroughly enjoyed this book at age 51.

1687. Sixteen year old Katherine “Kit” Tyler has lived in the island paradise of Barbados with her grandfather. Now he has passed and she is left with no choice but to move to a Connecticut Colony to live with with her uncle, aunt and cousins whom she has never met.

On her passage to her new home on a ship named the "Dolphin" she befriends the son of the captain named Nat. During this trip, she meets some of the other passengers and discovers that her previous life in Barbados had been carefree and extravagant compared to the puritan country where she is now headed. (Kit can swim... which the puritan family called the "Cruff's" are appalled by, thinking that only witches can swim!) Kit is now a source of mistrust and suspicion.

While her new family somewhat begrudgingly accept her into their home, Kit's new life is dreary and strict compared to what she is used to and she is forced to develop a puritan attitude and lifestyle, putting away her beautiful dresses for work clothes and attending frequent, stern Sabbath Meetings. 

She does everything she can to fit into her new community, but often feels like an outcast and one day loneliness leads her to the "Great Meadow" and to the mysterious little home that the locals believe is occupied by a witch.  She meets Hannah Tupper, the supposed witch, and discovers that she is not only not a witch but she is a lovely and friendly old woman living a solitary life by Blackbird Pond after being ostracized by the puritan community. Kit quickly befriends Hannah and discovers that her tiny cottage is a warm refuge from her troubles.

Kit rekindles her old friendship with Nat, who is also a friend of Hannah. At Hannah's cottage they can relax and be carefree and get to know each other. She also meets a young girl named Prudence who is illiterate and treated badly by her family (the stern and suspicious passengers from the Dolphin). Kit identifies with Prudence and invites her to Hannah's cozy cottage and there, teaches her to read and write.

Real trouble comes when Prudence's mother discovers that Kit has been teaching Prudence to read and she claims that Kit, who spends so much time with "The Witch" must also be a witch and Kit is locked up while awaiting her trial.

A great story of family, friendship and free thinking, I highly recommend!