Karen Cushman

Karen Cushman

Newbery award-winning children’s book author

Karen Cushman

Me and Lena

Saturday I was part of the cultural phenomenon that is Lena Dunham. We had brunch on Saturday before I attended her reading and frenzied fan festival. Lena is funny, warm, open, vulnerable, bright, articulate, passionate, and compassionate. She seems to adore her fans, and they are over the moon about her. I had a terrific time. If all goes well, Lena and her production company will be turning Catherine, Called Birdy into a movie. I can’t wait to make a bowl of popcorn and watch it. Thank you, Lena, for a great time.

Karen Cushman and Lena Dunham
Karen Cushman and Lena Dunham

Magical Birds

Each Thursday as I head to my Pilates class, I pass these birds—not crows, not ravens, cravens—on the side of an empty building in Vashon. They make me smile each time. My friend, artist and performer Steffon Moody, painted them last May, free hand and in six hours (time lapse video). Aren’t they wonderful? The building will shortly be torn down to make room for a new art center. I will be in mourning but I’m sure he has something else artistic and wonderful up his sleeve.

Cravens

Cravens

Cravens closeup

Cravens closer-up

 

Grandkitties

name the catsThe Portland Cushman household boasts two new residents, which Leah calls our grandkitties. Prospective names are Clementine, Mabel, Millie, Gus, Lupe, Penelope, Izzy, Betty, and Veronica. I like Spud, the Colonel, Snarls, Hydrangea, and Rutabaga. Any votes?

Have I got a book for you!

NestHere’s Karen’s advice for today: stop whatever you’re doing and read Esther Ehrlich’s Nest, middle-grade fiction from Random House Children’s Books. It is quite simply splendid. Salt Marsh Lane on Cape Cod in 1972 is home to eleven-year-old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein and her family. The year brings terrible changes to the Orensteins. Chirp survives through the healing power of family, her relationship to the natural world, and her growing friendship with the irresistible Joey Morell (Joey is a terrific character—I hope he gets his own book so we can be sure everything turns out okay for him). I challenge you to get through the book without laughing, mopping up a few tears, and scolding a few hurtful adults. Nest is real and true, touching and wise. The prose is lyrical, the characters lovable, the tragedy heartbreaking. I recommend it highly and plan to read it again right away.

We went to the Zoo

In San Diego for a memorial for Frances Cushman, Philip, Leah, and I hung out with the other wild animals at the San Diego Zoo. If you ever get a chance to go, go!

It was very hot and most of the animals were asleep or finding shade, but here are some favorites. First up, koalas!

koala

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elephants

reindeer

camel

koala

panda bears

 

Announcing the 2014
Karen and Philip Cushman Late Bloomer Award Winner

Jennifer SommerThe Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators congratulates Jennifer Sommer of Kettering, Ohio, as the award winner for authors over the age of fifty who have not been traditionally published in the children’s literature field. Jennifer received an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University and has worked as a children’s librarian for twenty years. She won the award for Octopus Capers, an interesting twist on nonfiction in which octopuses are the culprit in aquarium mysteries around the world. Learn more about Jennifer.

The grant was established by Newbery Award winner and Newbery Honor Book recipient Karen Cushman and her husband, Philip Cushman, in conjunction with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Karen published her first children’s book, Catherine, Called Birdy (winner of the 1995 Newbery Honor), at the age of fifty-three and has gone on to become one of the field’s most acclaimed novelists.

“I chose Jennifer Sommer’s Octopus Capers because it reached out and grabbed me—it’s original and engaging. The proposal made me wonder, laugh, and want to know more about octopuses, and I am looking forward to reading the whole thing,” said Karen.

SCBWI Executive Director Lin Oliver added, “Due to the generosity of Philip and Karen Cushman, this award recognizes the fact that creative life has no age limit. Jen pursued her MFA during midlife and her dedication has borne wonderful fruit!”

To read an interview with Jennifer Sommer by SCBWI official blogger, Lee Wind, visit SCBWI: The Blog.

To find out more about the Karen and Philip Cushman Late Bloomer Award and the application process visit the “Awards and Grants” section on the SCBWI website.

Adrian Mole, the Musical!

For years I have said that Catherine, Called Birdy is the love child of Rosemary Sutcliffe and Adrian Mole. Now Adrian is getting his own musical. I suggest you read or reread the book and then lobby to bring the show here. We could get Adrian Mole T-shirts!Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13-3/4

“Next year the Curve Theatre in Leicester will premiere The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4—The Musical, with the intention of taking it to London’s West End. The Guardian reported that the late Sue Townsend, who created one of the most popular characters in British fiction in Mole, “advised and encouraged the musical on its near three-year journey.”

“Sue was an absolute dream, she was so supportive and went through everything with us,” said Pippa Cleary, half of the writing team with Jake Brunger. “She gave us all the time in the world to get it right.” (from Shelf Awareness, July 15)