Author: Karen Cushman
Publisher: Yearling
Keywords: rodzina
Number of Pages: 224
Published: 2005-01-11
List price: $6.50
ISBN-10: 044041993X
ISBN-13: 9780440419938

In 1881, 12-year-old Rodzina Clara Jadwiga Anastazya Brodski wishes she didn’t have to board the orphan train in Chicago. But she has no home, no family, and no choice. Rodzina doesn’t believe the orphans are on their way out West to be adopted by good families. She’s sure they will become slaves to strangers. Anyway, who would ever adopt a large, tough, stubborn girl of Polish origin? As the train heads west, all Rodzina has is a small suitcase and her family memories from the past. Will Rodzina ever step off the train to find the family that deep in her heart she’s searching for?

Author: Karen Cushman
Publisher: Yearling
Keywords: matilda
Number of Pages: 176
Published: 2002-03-12
List price: $6.50
ISBN-10: 0440418224
ISBN-13: 9780440418221

Orphaned Matilda is not at all pleased when she arrives at Blood and Bone Alley to become an assistant to Red Peg the Bonesetter. She is a religious, well-educated girl who can’t picture herself doing dirty chores or helping sickly patients. Each day is very different from her former quiet life. Matilda’s not used to being around so many people who are coming and going, laughing and eating. Not one of them seems interested in prayer or study. Self-centered Matilda thinks no one understands her. But Peg does, and gives her time to get used to this new way of life and teaches her through kin

Author: Karen Cushman
Publisher: Clarion Books
Keywords: book, medal, newbery, apprentice, midwife
Number of Pages: 128
Published: 1995-03-27
List price: $13.00
ISBN-10: 0395692296
ISBN-13: 9780395692295

From the author of "Catherine, Called Birdy" comes another spellbinding novel set in medieval England. The girl known only as Brat has no family, no home, and no future until she meets Jane the Midwife and becomes her apprentice. As she helps the sharp-tempered Jane deliver babies, Brat-who renames herself Alyce-gains knowledge, confidence, and the courage to want something from life: "A full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world." Medieval village life makes a lively backdrop for the funny, poignant story of how Alyce gets what she wants. A concluding note discusses midwifery pa

Author: Karen Cushman
Publisher: Clarion Books
Keywords: francine, silence, loud
Number of Pages: 225
Published: 2006-08-14
List price: $16.00
ISBN-10: 0618504559
ISBN-13: 9780618504558

Francine Green doesn’t speak up much, and who can blame her? Her parents aren’t interested in her opinions, the nuns at school punish girls who ask too many questions, and the House Committee on Un-American Activities is blacklisting people who express unpopular ideas. There’s safety in silence. Francine would rather lose herself in a book, or in daydreams about her favorite Hollywood stars, than risk attracting attention or getting in trouble.But when outspoken, passionate Sophie Bowman transfers into Francine’s class at All Saints School for Girls, Francine finds herself thinking ab

Author: Karen Cushman
Publisher: Clarion Books
Keywords: matilda
Number of Pages: 167
Published: 2000-10-16
List price: $15.00
ISBN-10: 0395881560
ISBN-13: 9780395881569

In her long-awaited new novel, Newbery medalist Karen Cushman assembles a cast of unforgettable characters in a fascinating and pungent setting: the medical quarter of a medieval English village. To Blood and Bone Alley, home of leech, barber-surgeon, and apothecary, comes Matilda, raised by a priest to be pious and learned, and now destined to assist Red Peg the Bonesetter. To Matilda"s dismay, her work will not involve Latin or writing, but lighting the fire, going to market, mixing plasters and poultices, and helping Peg treat patients. Matilda is appalled by the worldliness of her new surr

Author: Karen Cushman
Publisher: Clarion Books
Keywords: honor, book, newbery, birdy, called, catherine
Number of Pages: 176
Published: 1994-05-23
List price: $16.00
ISBN-10: 0395681863
ISBN-13: 9780395681862

Catherine, a spirited and inquisitive young woman of good family, narrates in diary form the story of her fourteenth year--the year 1290. A Newbery Honor Book.

Author: Karen Cushman
Publisher: HarperCollins
Keywords: apprentice, midwife
Number of Pages: 128
Published: 1996-09-30
List price: $5.99
ISBN-10: 006440630X
ISBN-13: 9780064406307

‘Like Cushman’s 1995 Newbery Honor Book, Catherine, Called Birdy, 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.’ --ALA Bookli