This remarkable novel holds a fantastic puzzle at its heart. By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it's safe to go, and they know who to avoid. Like the crazy guy on the corner. But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda's mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then a mysterious note arrives, scrawled on a tiny slip of paper. The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late.
PW's starred review of the 1999 Newbery Medal winner described it as a "dazzling blend of social commentary, tall tale and magic realism." Ages 10-up. (May) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Orphaned Kit Tyler knows, as she gazes for the first time at thecold, bleak shores of Connecticut Colony, that her new home willnever be like the shimmering Caribbean island she left behind. Inher relatives' stern Puritan community, she feels like a tropicalbird that has flown to the wrong part of the world, a bird that isnow caged and lonely. The only place where Kit feels completelyfree is in the meadows, where she enjoys the company of the oldQuaker woman known as the Witch of Blackbird Pond, and on occasion,her young sailor friend Nat. But when Kit's friendship with theandquot; witchandquot; is discovered, Kit is faced with suspicion,fear, and anger. She herself is accused of witchcraft
