Karen Cushman

Karen Cushman

Newbery award-winning children’s book author

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Danger and Deceit and All-Around Snarkiness

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The False PrinceI’m late to the party—The False Prince (Jennifer A. Nielsen) has been out and well-reviewed for months now, but I am happy I stumbled upon it at last.

Sage is an orphan, a liar and a thief, snarky and rebellious. He is one of three boys recruited by a mysterious nobleman to compete to take the place of his country’s lost prince, a victim of pirates. One boy will gain the throne; the two not chosen face death. The story will keep you eagerly reading to see if and how Sage manages to outwit the traitorous nobleman and survive. I found the book great fun and recommend it to you.

Illuminated Cookies

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Illuminated cookiesHow terrific are these—cookies decorated with edible medieval manuscript illuminations! You can see more on the website  and see how Anniina makes them.

But how could anybody eat anything this gorgeous?

RIP, Ray Bradbury

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Ray BradburyRay Bradbury had a lot to do with my being a writer. I heard him speak many years ago at the LA Book Festival, and it seemed to me he was saying, “You can do it! It will be hard and fun and important and will change your life. Go and do it!” And so I did. Thank you, Ray Bradbury, and farewell.  And thanks to Prairie Lights Bookstore in Iowa City for the photo.

What’s (Very) New …

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new babyWelcome to the world to my brand new great-niece, Katherine Jane Lipski, called Kate.

Things are a bit of a mess here on earth right now but maybe your generation will do a better job than we did. I love you, little Kate, without even meeting you.

Happy Birthday!

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ArtToday (May 13) is my brother’s birthday. My little brother. My baby brother. At our first meeting, I disappointed my mother by ignoring her and the little bald package in her arms so I could continue reading (well, looking at—I was only 2 1/2) my book. I have over the (many, many) years grown to appreciate him, and now I love him even more than books. Happy birthday, Arthur Lipski, Jr., who will always be Duffy to me. I love you.

Moby Dick is Real!

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White OrcaDue to technical issues way beyond my understanding, I can’t log in to my Facebook page until after May 9. If you want to comment or post anything, and you want me to see and respond to it, post it here.

In the meantime, look at this photo of the tail fin of a rare white orca. Wonderful. Wish we could see the rest of him—at a safe distance.

I Can See Canada from My House

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Counting the StarsActually from Kirby Larson‘s house. Actually from Kirby Larson’s beach house. Phil and I spent Friday there watching the sun set and enjoying the company of Kirby and her husband Neil, Nancy Roser of the University of Texas, and Miriam Martinez, also of that institution. We were cooking up a panel for the NCTE 2012 conference. Something to do with world building in fiction and poetry. Watch this space for updates. Now I will sit and stare at this photo and remember how we counted the stars.

I’ve Been Reading …

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Gringolandia, Between Shades of GrayI just read two books set in very different places, but both about pain, courage, and survival.

Between Shades of Gray exposes us to the brutality of Stalin’s Soviet Union and his forced labor camps. Fifteen-year-old Lina, with her mother and younger brother, are sent to a brutal camp in the frozen far north, well above the Arctic Circle. Lina endures suffering, loss, and fear as she struggles to survive.  

In Gringolandia, a Chilean boy now living in the United States comes to terms with the reappearance of his  father, brutalized by years in a Chilean prison. Now Daniel must discover his own identity, his responsibilities, and his place in the world. Daniel’s story ponders the question: When history calls your name, how will you answer?

Both books are beautifully written and both disturbing enough to linger long after the last page. 

Battling Kids’ Books

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SpringSpring is here, which means it’s time for School Library Journal‘s Battle of the Kid’s Books, a competition among 16 of the year’s very best books for young people, judged by some of the biggest names in children’s books. Have you been following? If not, I won’t give away the winner. You’ll want to check it out yourself from the very first bracket through the delicious finale. Forget basketball—it’s kids’ books, folks!