Karen Cushman

Greetings. The following materials are intended to provide an introduction to Karen Cushman. They were assembled from the World Wide Web, ERIC Database, and a variety of other bibliographic resources. Instructions for acquiring the full text of the ERIC records are presented at the end of this file.

Mei-Yu Lu
Literacy Specialist


Alphabetically arranged listing of bibliographies
Categorically arranged listing of bibliographies

Internet Sites

Achuka Interview: Karen Cushman
Learning About Karen Cushman
Learning More About Karen Cushman
Karen Cushman
Karen Cushman
Newberys and Net: Catherine, Called Birdy
Newberys and Net: The Midwife's Apprentice
Teacher's Guide: Karen Cushman
Teacher Resource File: Karen Cushman
Catherine, Called Birdy (lesson plan 1)
Catherine, Called Birdy (lesson plan 2)
The Midwife's Apprentice (lesson plan)

Online Discussion Groups/Listservs

Book Discussion Groups for Kids
Mailing Lists Related to Children's Literature

Citations from the ERIC Database

AN: ED452487
AU: Lehr,-Susan, ed..
TI: Beauty, Brains, and Brawn: The Construction of Gender in Children's Literature.
PY: 2001
AV: Heinemann, 88 Post Road West, P.O. Box 5007, Westport, CT 06881 ($21). Tel: 800-793-2154 (Toll Free); Web site: http://www.heinemann.com.
NT: Introduction by Charlotte Huck.
PR: Document Not Available from EDRS.
DEM: *Audience-Awareness; *Childrens-Literature; *Gender-Issues; *Reader-Response; *Sex-Role
DER: Authors-; Elementary-Education; Picture-Books; Preschool-Education
AB: This collection of essays offers diverse perspectives on what it means to be a male or female child in children's literature, presenting stimulating views from the field's best-known authors, illustrators, and educators. Among the authors and illustrators in the collection who talk about the creative process are: Jerry Pinckney, Katherine Paterson, Mem Fox, Cary Paulsen, Virginia Hamilton, Karen Cushman, Andrea Pinkney, Paul Zelinsky, and Patricia and Frederick McKissack. These discussions on creativity are Interspersed among essays by educators. The following essays in the collection are by educators: (1) "The Hidden Curriculum: Are We Teaching Young Girls to Wait for the Prince?" (Susan Lehr); (2) "The Unquenchable Source: Finding a Heroic Girl inside a Man" (T.A. Barron); (3) "Deconstructing Harry: Catching a Critical Eye on the Witches and Wizards of Hogwarts" (Deborah L. Thompson); (4) "Popular Series Books and the Middle-Class Children Inhabiting Them: Are Girls and Boys Really That Frivolous?" (Jennifer Armstrong); (5) "Picture Books for Preschool Children: Exploring Gender Issues with Three- and Four-Year-Olds" (Barbara Chatton); (6) "Are Authors Rewriting Folklore in Today's Image?" (Margaret Chang); (7) "Truth as Patchwork: Developing Female Characters in Historical Fiction" (Janet Hickman); (8) "Separating the Men from the Boys: Coming of Age in Recent Historical Fiction for Children" (Daniel P. Woolsey); (9) "Representations of Native American Women and Girls in Children's Historical Fiction" (Debbie A. Reese); (10) "Why Gender Stereotypes Still Persist in Contemporary Children's Literature" (Belinda Y. Louie); (11) "Parent Characters in Children's Novels: Lessons Learned" (Sylvia M. Vardell); (12) "Parallels, Polarities, and Intersections: Gender and Religion in Children's Books" (Ann Trousdale); (13) "Why Do Educators Need a Political Agenda on Gender?" (Kathy G. Short); and (14) "The Anomalous Female and the Ubiquitous Male" (Susan Lehr). (NKA)

AN: EJ583516
AU: Heine,-Pat; Inkster,-Christine; Kazemek,-Frank; Williams,-Sandra; Raschke,-Sylvia; Stevens,-Della
TI: Strong Female Characters in Recent Children's Literature.
PY: 1999
SO: Language-Arts; v76 n5 p427-34 May 1999.
NT: Theme: Talking Texts.
DEM: *Adolescent-Literature; *Childrens-Literature; *Females-; *Role-Models; *Sex-Fairness
DER: Elementary-Secondary-Education; Resource-Materials
AB: Shares the authors' criteria for evaluating female characters as positive role models in children's literature. Explores the criteria by examining "The Ballad of Lucy Wipple" (Karen Cushman). Discusses other recently published picture books and novels which feature strong females in history, in contemporary times, and in fantasy. (SR)

AN: ED434064
AU: Harris,-Laurie-Lanzen, ed.; Abbey,-Cherie-D., ed.
TI: Biography Today: Author Series. Profiles of People of Interest to Young Readers. Volume 5, 1999.
PY: 1999
AV: Omnigraphics, Inc., 2500 Penobscot Building, Detroit, MI 48226; Tel: 800-234-1340 (Toll Free).
PR: EDRS Price MF01/PC08 Plus Postage. DL: http://orders.edrs.com/members/sp.cfm?AN=ED434064
DE: *Adolescent-Literature; *Authors-; *Popular-Culture; *Supplementary-Reading-Materials
DE: Biographies-; Childrens-Literature; Elementary-Secondary-Education; Language-Arts; Profiles-; Reading-Interests; Recreational-Reading; Social-Studies; Student-Interests
AB: As with the regular issues of "Biography Today," this special subject volume on "Authors" was created to appeal to young readers in a format they can enjoy reading and readily understand. Each volume contains alphabetically-arranged sketches. Each entry in the volume provides at least one picture of the individual profiled, and bold-faced rubrics lead readers to information on birth, youth, early memories, education, hobbies, and honors and awards. Each entry ends with a list of easily accessible sources designed to lead the student to further reading on the individual and a current address. Obituary entries are also included and clearly marked in both the table of contents and at the beginning of the entry. Ten authors are profiled in this volume: (1) Sharon Creech; (2) Michael Crichton; (3) Karen Cushman; (4) Tomie dePaola; (5) Lorraine Hansberry; (6) Karen Hesse; (7) Brian Jacques; (8) Gary Soto; (9) Richard Wright; and (10) Laurence Yep. A series of general, places of birth, and birthday indexes is included. (BT)

AN: EJ583516
AU: Heine,-Pat; Inkster,-Christine; Kazemek,-Frank; Williams,-Sandra; Raschke,-Sylvia; Stevens,-Della
TI: Strong Female Characters in Recent Children's Literature.
PY: 1999
SO: Language-Arts; v76 n5 p427-34 May 1999
NT: Theme: Talking Texts.
DE: *Adolescent-Literature; *Childrens-Literature; *Females-; *Role-Models; *Sex-Fairness
DE: Elementary-Secondary-Education; Resource-Materials
AB: Shares the authors' criteria for evaluating female characters as positive role models in children's literature. Explores the criteria by examining "The Ballad of Lucy Wipple" (Karen Cushman). Discusses other recently published picture books and novels which feature strong females in history, in contemporary times, and in fantasy. (SR)

AN: EJ594685
AU: Darigan,-Dan
TI: A Breakfast with the
Author: Karen Cushman.
PY: 1998
SO: Journal-of-Children's-Literature; v24 n2 p108-13 Fall 1998
AV: Children's Literature Assembly of the National Council of Teachers of English, The Ohio State University, School of Teaching and Learning, 333 Arps Hall, 1945 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43210-1172.
NT: Theme: Literary Theory and Its Connection to Children's Literature in the Classroom.
DE: *Authors-; *Career-Development; *Characterization-; *Childrens-Literature; *Writing-Strategies
DE: Elementary-Education; Interviews-; Writing-for-Publication
AB: Presents an interview with Karen Cushman, discussing her career progress, her children's reaction to her writing, as well as her next book, "Matilda Bone." Talks about "what character she is most like" and discusses future projects. (SC)

AN: EJ540713
AU: Hendershot,-Judith; Peck,-Jackie
TI: Interview with Newbery Medal Winner Karen Cushman.
PY: 1996
SO: Reading-Teacher; v50 n3 p198-201 Nov 1996
DE: *Authors-; *Writing-Processes
DE: Books-; Childrens-Literature; Elementary-Secondary-Education; Interviews-; Writing-for-Publication
AB: Interviews Karen Cushman about "The Midwife's Apprentice," the 1996 Newbery Medal Book. (SR)

Character Education Calendar

Improving Reading & Learning
This book contains practical advice on improving your child's reading skills. Includes: quick answers to pressing learning problems; easy practice activities for basic skills; common language explanations; step-by-step guidance to engage children in active learning.

Other resources from Doucette Index: K-12 Literature-Based Teaching Ideas

Cushman, Karen
Catherine, called Birdy
See pp.159-162:
Hurst, Carol Otis
Using literature in the middle school curriculum (Worthington, Ohio: Linworth Publishing Inc., 1999)

Cushman, Karen
The midwife's apprentice
See pp.4790-4801:
Beetz, Kirk H.
Beacham's guide to literature for young adults, Vol. 9 (Washington, D.C.: Beacham Publishing, 1989)

Cushman, Karen
Catherine, called Birdy
See pp.75-78:
Ammon, Bette D.
More rip-roaring reads for reluctant teen readers (Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1999)

Cushman, Karen
Catherine called Birdy
See pp.194-195:
Polette, Nancy J.
Gifted books, gifted readers : literature activities to excite young minds (Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 2000)

Cushman, Karen
The midwife's apprentice
See pp.195-196:
Polette, Nancy J.
Gifted books, gifted readers : literature activities to excite young minds (Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 2000)

Cushman, Karen
The midwife's apprentice
See pp.263-274:
Beacham's guide to literature for young adults, Vol.13 (Detroit: Gale Group, 2001)

Resources from Academic Search Elite (available either for sale or via interlibrary loan)

Title: Meet the Author Karen Cushman.
Source: Oasis, Mar/Apr2001, Vol. 16 Issue 4, p13, 1p, 1bw
Author(s): Koehler-Pentacoff, Elizabeth
Abstract: Features author Karen Cushman. Events which led her into writing; Books written by Cushman.

Title: Talking with Authors.
Source: Publishers Weekly, 02/14/2000, Vol. 247 Issue 7, p98, 4p
Author(s): Marcus, Leonard S.
Abstract: Interviews some well-known children's book writers about their childhoods and their vocation. Bruce Brooks; Karen Cushman; Russell Freedman; E.L. Konigsburg.

Title: Karen Cushman: Pursuing the past.
Source: Teaching PreK-8, Feb98, Vol. 28 Issue 5, p42, 3p, 3c
Author(s): Elliot, Ian
Abstract: Features the author, Karen Cushman. List of books written by Karen; Her educational background; Her famous book "Catherine, Called Birdy.'

Title: Writing from the heart.
Source: Cricket, June97, Vol. 24 Issue 10, p42, 5p, 2c, 1bw
Abstract: Presents an interview with writer Karen Cushman. How Cushman started writing; Cushman's writing process; How Cushman's journals and letters have helped her with her writings; Her way of researching historical fiction; More.

Title: For award-winning author, the story comes first.
Source: Christian Science Monitor, 9/26/96, Vol. 88 Issue 212, pB2, 1c
Author(s): Williams, Karen
Abstract: Presents an interview with children's literature author Karen Cushman. When Cushman first came into the industry; Titles of books written by Cushman; Awards won by Cushman.

Title: A talk with Karen Cushman.
Source: Publishers Weekly, 8/26/96, Vol. 243 Issue 35, p46, 1p, 1c, 1bw Author(s): Lodge, Sally
Abstract: Profiles Newberry Medal winner Karen Cushman. Her first novel "Catherine, Called Birdy' selected as a 1994 Newberry Honor Book; Her second work of fiction "The Midwife's Apprentice," winning the Newberry Medal; Clarion releasing her third book in September 1996 "The Ballad of Lucy Whipple'; The settings of her books; How the award has changed her life.

Title: Newbery medal acceptance.
Source: Horn Book Magazine, Jul/Aug96, Vol. 72 Issue 4, p413, 7p, 1bw
Author(s): Cushman, Karen
Abstract: Presents the acceptance speech of novelist Karen Cushman, winner of the 1996 Newbery Medal for "The Midwife's Apprentice," delivered at the annual meeting of the American Library Association on July 7, 1996 in New York City.

Title: Karen Cushman.
Source: Horn Book Magazine, Jul/Aug96, Vol. 72 Issue 4, p420, 4p, 1bw
Author(s): Cushman, Philip
Abstract: Profiles novelist Karen Cushman. Career changes; Family life; Factors motivating Cushman to write

Title: The booklist interview.
Source: Booklist, 6/1/96-6/15/96, Vol. 92 Issue 19-20, p1700, 2p, 1bw
Author(s): Cushman, Karen
Abstract: Presents an interview with 75th year of the prestigious Newberry Award winner Karen Cushman of "The Midwife's Apprentice.' Reason for writing children's books; Interest in medieval history; Comfortability in world; Impressioned with the embarrassment of the kids; Strong and weaknesses; Kids' response to her stories.

Resources from Education Abstracts FullText (available via libraries or bookstores)

Title: Battling spring fever? Try Los remedios
AUTHOR(S): Ivy, Tamra; Maloy, Heidi; Meagher, Carol
Source: Science Scope v 21 no7 Apr 1998.p. 30-3.
Abstract: An interdisciplinary unit for sixth-grade middle school students based on traditional medicine is described. Students read the book Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman, learn basic chemistry and laboratory techniques, and practice English, math, art, social studies, and leadership skills.

Title: Writing from the inside out: a "chat" with Karen Cushman
AUTHOR(S): McKindley, Elizabeth Madrid
Source: New Advocate v 11 Winter 1998.p. 1-10.
Abstract: An interview with writer Karen Cushman. Cushman talks about the process that led her to become a children's writer at the age of 50 and how writing has fulfilled her lifelong yearning to discover a place of belonging. She likens the process of bringing a character to life to "climbing inside a story and writing it from the inside out." Her stories commence in the land of historical fiction but always end in the place of untold mystery, which is her own heart. History and humanity are natural elements in her writing because she has masters' degrees in both human behavior and museum studies.

Title: Newbery notes
AUTHOR(S): Brodie, Carolyn S., 1958
Source: School Library Media Activities Monthly v 13 Sept 1996.p. 44-5+.
Abstract: The presentation of the 75th John Newbery Medal, the oldest award in children's literature, is a good opportunity for reviewing the award's history and criteria with students, as well as reviewing past medal-winning books. In July 1996, Karen Cushman was awarded the medal for The Midwife's Apprentice. Suggestions for activities that refer to winners of the past ten years are outlined.

Resources from OCLCís WorldCat (available via libraries or bookstores)

Title: Writers for young adults. Supplement 1
Author(s): Hipple, Theodore W.
Publication: New York: Scribner
Year: 2000
Abstract: Contains articles on writers whose works are popular with young adults and a cumulative index for the complete set.

Title: The ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman: teacher guide
Author(s): Troy, Anne. ; Cushman, Karen. ; Ballad of Lucy Whipple. Publication: San Antonio, TX: Novel Units, Inc.
Year: 1999
ISBN: 1581305621 (pbk.)
Abstract: "New ways to teach reading, writing and the love of literature."

Title: Catherine, called Birdy by Karen Cushman
Author(s): Beech, Linda Ward. ; Mark, Mona.
Publication: New York: Scholastic
Year: 1998
ISBN: 0590389408 (pbk.)

Title: A literature unit for Catherine, called Birdy by Karen Cushman Author(s): Wilson, Lynda Duffy. ; Guo, Fonglee.
Publication: Westminster, CA: Teacher Created Materials
Year: 1998
ISBN: 1576901394

Title: Applying the reader response method to Karen Cushman's Catherine, called Birdy
Author(s): Van Dragt, Gloria J.
Year: 1997
Note(s): Vita./ Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-91)./ Dissertation: Thesis (M.A.T.) - Calvin College, 1997.

Title: Catherine, called Birdy by Karen Cushman : teacher guide
Author(s): Jamieson, Jean. ; Cushman, Karen. ; Catherine, called Birdy. Publication: Palatine, IL : Novel Units, Inc.
Year: 1996
ISBN: 1561377929 (pbk.)
Abstract: "Novel units provide teachers with new ways to teach reading, thinking, writing, and the love of literature."

Title: Catherine, called Birdy [by] Karen Cushman : a study guide
Author(s): Ferraro, Bonnie. ; Friedland, Joyce. ; Kessler, Rikki. ; Cushman, Karen. ; Catherine called Birdie.
Publication: New Hyde Park, N.Y.: Learning Links
Year: 1996

Title: Karen Cushman and Dinah Stevenson (audiovisual material)
Author(s): Weiss, Jaqueline Shachter. ; McCollough, George. ; Field, Carolyn W.,; 1916- ; Cushman, Karen. ; Stevenson, Dinah.
Publication: [Norristown, Pa.]:; Distributed by J.S. Weiss
Year: 1996
Abstract: Interview with children's author Karen Cushman and book editor Dinah Stevenson.

To Order Full-Text Copies of ERIC Journal and ERIC Document Citations:

References identified with an ED (ERIC document) number are cited in the ERIC database. Documents are available in ERIC microfiche collections at more than 825 locations worldwide.

Documents can also be ordered from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS)EDRS web page or by calling their office at 1-800-443-ERIC.

References with an EJ (ERIC journal) number are available through the originating journal, via interlibrary loan services or article reproduction clearinghouses, such as UMI (1-800-248-0360).



| NEWS ABOUT READING | ONLINE EDUCATION | WEB RESOURCES | BOOKS & BULLETINS | DIGESTS & BIBLIOS | FAMILY INFO CENTER | LESSON PLANS | Q & A ARCHIVE | DATABASE SEARCH | CHARACTER ED CENTER |
The Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication is an information repository of the Indiana University School of Education.

Dr. Carl B. Smith, Professor