Illinois Authors

The Illinois Center for the Book banner

Karen Cushman

Born: October 4, 1941 Chicago, Illinois
Pen Name: None

Connection to Illinois: Cushman was born in Chicago and lived there until she was ten years old.

Biography: Karen Cushman writes historical fiction, novels for children and young adults. She received an M.A. in human behavior and one in museum studies. She currently resides on Vashon Island west of Seattle, Washington.


Awards:
  • '''''Catherine, Called Birdy'''''
  • -- Newbery Honor Book
  • -- Best Book for Young Adults, ALA
  • -- Notable Book for Children, ALA
  • -- Recommended Book for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, ALA
  • -- Editors' Choice, Booklist
  • -- Golden Kite Award
  • -- Horn Book Fanfare Selection

Primary Audience(s): Children; Children; Young adult readers

Email: mail4kc@karencushman.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karencushman.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cushmanbooks
Website: http://www.karencushmanbooks.com/index.html
Karen Cushman on WorldCat : http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=karen+cushman


Selected Titles

  Alchemy and Meggy Swann
ISBN: 9780307710222 OCLC: 429022178

Listening Library, New York : ℗2010.

In 1573, the crippled, scorned, and destitute Meggy Swann goes to London, where she meets her father, an impoverished alchemist, and eventually discovers that although her legs are bent and weak, she has many other strengths.

  Alchemy and Meggy Swann /
ISBN: 0547577125 OCLC: 694829914

Sandpiper, New York : 2010.

In 1573, the crippled, scorned, and destitute Meggy Swann goes to London, where she meets her father, an impoverished alchemist, and eventually discovers that although her legs are bent and weak, she has many other strengths.

  Catherine, called Birdy
ISBN: 9781449872847 OCLC: 757741184

Recorded Books ; Prince Frederick, MD : 2011, p1996.

The thirteen-year-old daughter of an English country knight keeps a journal in which she records the events of her life, particularly her longing for adventures beyond the usual role of women and her efforts to avoid being married off.

Catherine, called Birdy /
ISBN: 0064405842 OCLC: 28964180

Clarion Books, New York : ©1994.

The thirteen-year-old daughter of an English country knight keeps a journal in which she records the events of her life, particularly her longing for adventures beyond the usual role of women and her efforts to avoid being married off.

Grayling's song /
ISBN: 0544301803 OCLC: 913923732

In a medieval kingdom, Grayling finds self-confidence when her mother is turned into a tree by evil forces and Grayling must venture into the wilds to reverse the spell.

  GRAYLING'S SONG.
ISBN: 0358097487 OCLC: 1080245960

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT, [S.l.] : 2020.

  Matilda Bone
ISBN: 0807287377 OCLC: 45472943

Listening Library, New York : ℗2000.

Fourteen-year-old Matilda, an apprentice bonesetter and practitioner of medicine in a village in medieval England, tries to reconcile the various aspects of her life, both spiritual and practical.

Matilda Bone /
ISBN: 0440418224 OCLC: 44110237

Clarion Books, New York : 2000.

Fourteen-year-old Matilda, an apprentice bonesetter and practitioner of medicine in a village in medieval England, tries to reconcile the various aspects of her life, both spiritual and practical.

Rodzina /
ISBN: 044041993X OCLC: 60660613

Dell, New York : [2005], ©2003.

A twelve-year-old Polish American girl is boarded onto an orphan train in Chicago with fears about traveling to the West and a life of unpaid slavery.

  RODZINA.
ISBN: 0358097517 OCLC: 1080247290

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT, [S.l.] : 2020.

The ballad of Lucy Whipple
ISBN: 0613073045 OCLC: 38927848

Clarion Books 1996

  The ballad of Lucy Whipple
ISBN: 9781449871796 OCLC: 757741179

Recorded Books ; Prince Frederick, Md. : 2011, p1997.

In 1849, twelve-year-old California Morning Whipple, who names herself Lucy, is distraught when her mother moves the family from Massachusetts to a rough California mining town.

  The loud silence of Francine Green
ISBN: 9780739348062 OCLC: 81962689

Listening Library, [New York, N.Y.] : 2006.

In 1949, thirteen-year-old Francine goes to Catholic school in Los Angeles where she becomes best friends with a girl who questions authority and is frequently punished by the nuns, causing Francine to question her own values.

The loud silence of Francine Green /
ISBN: 0375841172 OCLC: 62188860

Clarion Books, New York : ©2006.

In 1949, thirteen-year-old Francine goes to Catholic school in Los Angeles where she becomes best friends with a girl who questions authority and is frequently punished by the nuns, causing Francine to question her own values.

  The midwife's apprentice
ISBN: 9781449877767 OCLC: 927141572

Lyrical yet unsentimental, The Midwife's Apprentice won the coveted 1996 Newbery Medal. Filled with striking characters, it paints unforgettable pictures of village life in the Middle Ages, the midwife's craft, and a very remarkable girl's growing independence and pride. Brat has no name, no home, and no shelter against the 14th-century English winter except the foul warmth of a dung heap. So when Jane the Midwife wakes her with a kick and takes the half-starved creature to her cottage, a curious relationship begins. Jane teaches Brat to gather herbs and make the poultices used to ease the pain of childbirth for the village women. The skinny young girl quickly learns to obey the sharp-tongued midwife, and secretly watches Jane practice her art whenever she can. But Jane is also teaching Brat unspoken lessons that will take longer--maybe a lifetime--to master.

The midwife's apprentice /
ISBN: 006440630X OCLC: 30625374

Clarion Books, New York : ©1995.

In medieval England, a nameless, homeless girl is taken in by a sharp-tempered midwife, and in spite of obstacles and hardship, eventually gains the three things she most wants: a full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world. This novel is about a strong young woman in medieval England who finds her own way home. This is a world, like Chaucer's, that's - dangerous, primitive and raucous. From the first page you're caught by the spirit of the homeless, nameless waif, somewhere around 12 years old. She gets the village midwife to take her in, befriends a cat, names herself Alyce, and learns something about delivering babies. When she fails, she runs away, but she picks herself up again and returns to work and independence.

  Will Sparrow's road
ISBN: 9780449014714 OCLC: 845297841

Clarion Books, New York : 2012.

In 1599 England, twelve-year-old lying, thieving Will Sparrow runs away, meets many colorful characters on the road, and then reluctantly joins a traveling oddities exhibit, where he learns to see beyond appearances.

  Will Sparrow's road /
ISBN: 0544336321 OCLC: 884852506

In 1599 England, twelve-year-old lying, thieving Will Sparrow runs away, meets many colorful characters on the road, and then reluctantly joins a traveling "oddities" exhibit, where he learns to see beyond appearances.

 

 

Accessibility