The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman

Cushman, Karen. The Loud Silence of Francine Green. New York: Clarion Books, 2006. 225 pages. $16.00 ISBN 9780618504558

Plot Summary: When Francine Green becomes friends with vivacious Sophie Bowman, Francine's life begins to change. The girls talk about everything from the atom bomb, free speech, whether God exists, to movie stars and school. Francine learns that she does have an opinion and it does count.

Critical Evaluation: This is an interesting book about post-WWII America when it was dangerous to be heard talking about certain things. The transformation of Francine is apparent throughout the book and encouraging for girls who feel like their opinion on the important things in life doesn't matter.

Reader's Annotation: When Francine Green befriends Sophie Bowman her whole life changes.

Author Bio: Karen Cushman is the author of several historical fiction novels for tweens. She grew up in Los Angeles, CA but currently lives in Vashar Island, WA with her husband Phil. Karen studied Greek and English at Stanford University, and later earned master's degrees in both human behavior and museum studies.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Could be used during a study of life after WWII.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about the fear associated with war

Reading Level/Interest Age: 11 and up

Challenges:

Reason for including: Karen Cushman is a great tween writer and I use her for an author study this semester.

Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman

Cushman, Karen. Matilda Bone. New York: Clarion Books, 2000. 176 pages. $6.50 ISBN 9780440418221

Plot Summary: Matilda is sent to live and work with a village bonesetter while her master and priest is off on official church business. Matilda is a devout Christian who has some serious issues with the way the bonesetter lives her life. As time with the bonesetter wears on, Matilda sees that the way she lives isn't necessarily better than everyone else.

Critical Evaluation: This short book is a somewhat humorous glimpse into the life of a medieval saint-wanna-be. Matilda's mental conversations with the saints are hilarious.

Reader's Annotation: Devout Matilda is sent to live and work with a village bonesetter, much to her dismay.

Author Bio: Karen Cushman is the author of several historical fiction novels for tweens. She grew up in Los Angeles, CA but currently lives in Vashar Island, WA with her husband Phil. Karen studied Greek and English at Stanford University, and later earned master's degrees in both human behavior and museum studies.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Would be good to use during a medieval history study.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about medieval medical practices and what it would be like to work for a bonesetter.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 9-14

Challenges: None

Reason for including: I love Karen Cushman, and this book is one of my favorites of hers.

Rodzina by Karen Cushman

Cushman, Karen. Rodzina. New York: Clarion Books, 2003. 215 pages. $16.00 ISBN 9780618133512

Plot Summary: Rodzina is sent on an orphan train headed west from Chicago. She is terrified that she will end up a slave and even frees herself from a forced marriage on the trip west. The uncertainty of her future weighs heavily on her mind, but slowly she sees happy marriages and kids being welcomed into loving homes and it gives her hope.

Critical Evaluation: This was a very interesting book as I had no previous knowledge of the orphan trains in the 19th century. It is a compelling story and as usual her extensive research and note at the end suggest the accuracy of the events detailed in the book.

Reader's Annotation: Rodzina leaves Chicago on an orphan train headed west, sure she will end up as a slave.

Author Bio: Karen Cushman is the author of several historical fiction novels for tweens. She grew up in Los Angeles, CA but currently lives in Vashar Island, WA with her husband Phil. Karen studied Greek and English at Stanford University, and later earned master's degrees in both human behavior and museum studies.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties: This would be good to pair with 19th century American history.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about what it would be like to take a train ride all on your own not really knowing where you're going.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 10-14

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: Karen Cushman is one of my favorite tween authors and I used her in my author study.

The Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman

Cushman, Karen. The Ballad of Lucy Whipple. New York: Clarion Books, 1996. 218 pages $5.99 ISBN 9780064406840

Plot Summary: Lucy and her family head west for the gold rush. They don't find much and soon Lucy escapes to the shelter of her books she loves so well.

Critical Evaluation: The story of California Morning is quite an interesting book because it is from the point of view of not only a woman in a California gold mining town, but sees the other side of the life during the California gold rush.

Reader's Annotation: California Morning doesn't want to move to California, and when she gets there she certainly doesn't want to be named California any more.

Author Bio: Karen Cushman is the author of several historical fiction novels for tweens. She grew up in Los Angeles, CA but currently lives in Vashar Island, WA with her husband Phil. Karen studied Greek and English at Stanford University, and later earned master's degrees in both human behavior and museum studies.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties: This would be a good tie in to a study about the California gold rush.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about the risks involved in moving out west to pan for gold.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 9-13

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: Karen Cushman is one of my favorite tween authors.

Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

Cushman, Karen. Catherine Called Birdy. New York: Clarion Books, 1995. 224 pages. $6.99 ISBN 978-0064405843

Plot Summary: Catherine's father has decided she need to be married. He brings over suitors which she gets rid of and he is forced to take serious action. He chooses one man that Catherine just can't stand, although his son isn't too bad. Catherine tries very hard to get rid of him.

Critical Evaluation: This is another example of humorous treatment of a big problem in the life of a medieval girl. Catherine is believable and the reader roots for her freedom to choose her husband.

Reader's Annotation: Catherine does not want to get married to just anyone her father wishes, so she devises some plans to prevent the marriage.

Author Bio: Karen Cushman is the author of several historical fiction novels for tweens. She grew up in Los Angeles, CA but currently lives in Vashar Island, WA with her husband Phil. Karen studied Greek and English at Stanford University, and later earned master's degrees in both human behavior and museum studies.

Genre: historical fiction

Curriculum Ties: This would work well paired with a medieval/renaissance history unil.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about what it would be like to be forced into an arranged marriage as a teenager.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 9-14

Challenges: The main character is a teen and this could cause some concern because the book is about her trying to get out of an arranged marriage. Although it was a common age back then, it isn't accepted now.

Reason for including: This was the first Karen Cushman book I ever read and has a special place in my heart.

The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman

Cushman, Karen. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: HarperCollins, 1996. 128 pages $6.99 ISBN 9780064406307

Plot Summary: Alyce was found by the midwife in a dung heap and taken in as her apprentice. She tries very hard to be a good apprentice but feels as those she continually fails. One failed birth sends her running only to find out that the midwife wasn't disappointed that she failed, just disappointed she gave up.

Critical Evaluation: This is a very interesting medieval based book. It made me want to be a midwife for quite a while.

Reader's Annotation: Alyce tries very hard to be a great midwife assistant but lets one failure ruin her chances to learn more.

Author Bio: Karen Cushman is the author of several historical fiction novels for tweens. She grew up in Los Angeles, CA but currently lives in Vashar Island, WA with her husband Phil. Karen studied Greek and English at Stanford University, and later earned master's degrees in both human behavior and museum studies.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties: A good tie in for a medieval history unit.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about the differences in medicine in the medieval era and now.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 8-14

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: Karen Cushman is one of my favorite tween authors and The Midwife's Apprentice was one of my favorites.