At the time of the book's publication, "Kirkus Reviews" said: "The author succeeds admirably in re-entering the era and filling it with entirely human characters... Alive and colorful biblical fare in the well modulated manner of Elizabeth Speare." In a retrospective essay about the Newbery Medal-winning books from 1956 to 1965, librarian Carolyn Horovitz wrote of "The Bronze Bow", "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch", "Rifles for Watie" and "The Witch of Blackbird Pond": "All have value, all are told skilfully. If they lack the qualities of greatness, it is largely because their style has a commercial sameness."