Karen Cushman
@karencushman.bsky.social
Author of 11 books for young readers. Newbery Medal. Newbery Honor. Gardener, reader. Newest book: When Sally O'Malley Discovered the Sea.
Hope to see you at the Poulsbo Kids Book Fest, this coming Saturday, November 15th, from 11 am to 3 pm, at North Kitsap High School, 1780 NE Hostmark, Poulsbo, WA. You can see the actual Newbery Medal for The Midwife's Apprentice. www.poulsbokidsbookfest.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Hope to see you at the Poulsbo Kids Book Fest, this coming Saturday, November 15th, from 11 am to 3 pm, at North Kitsap High School, 1780 NE Hostmark, Poulsbo, WA. You can see the actual Newbery Medal for The Midwife's Apprentice. www.poulsbokidsbookfest.com
From Open Culture, this article and TED Talk: "... Paleoanthropologist Genevieve von Petzinger, [suggests] that those prehistoric forms of writing, which include the earliest known hashtag marks, consisted of symbols nearly as universal as emoji." bit.ly/483qdH3
November 11, 2025 at 1:58 PM
From Open Culture, this article and TED Talk: "... Paleoanthropologist Genevieve von Petzinger, [suggests] that those prehistoric forms of writing, which include the earliest known hashtag marks, consisted of symbols nearly as universal as emoji." bit.ly/483qdH3
Book giveaway! Thinking about your gift lists, aren't you? When Sally O'Malley Discovered the Sea is an adventure story set in 1800s Oregon. You know the young readers who will love this book. Head to my website to enter by midnight PT on 11/15/25. (Mainland USA only, please.) Enter: bit.ly/3LrcyAX
November 6, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Book giveaway! Thinking about your gift lists, aren't you? When Sally O'Malley Discovered the Sea is an adventure story set in 1800s Oregon. You know the young readers who will love this book. Head to my website to enter by midnight PT on 11/15/25. (Mainland USA only, please.) Enter: bit.ly/3LrcyAX
900+ artifacts from Late Bronze and Early Iron Age discovered in early 2025 near Somló, Hungary. Archaeologists are looking at diet, ritual, and culture based on this metal hoard. "The project was led by Bence Soós, an archaeologist and museologist at the Hungarian National Museum." bit.ly/4onmOZJ
Metal artifacts found in a volcano belonged to ancient people that we know very little about
Six 3,400-year-old metal hoards found on Somló Hill reveal the existence of powerful elites and workshops in the Bronze Age.
bit.ly
November 4, 2025 at 12:57 PM
900+ artifacts from Late Bronze and Early Iron Age discovered in early 2025 near Somló, Hungary. Archaeologists are looking at diet, ritual, and culture based on this metal hoard. "The project was led by Bence Soós, an archaeologist and museologist at the Hungarian National Museum." bit.ly/4onmOZJ
Young readers fascinated by medical shows? Give them Matilda Bone to read. "This humorous, frank look at life in the medical quarters in medieval times shows readers that love and compassion, laughter and companionship, are indeed the best medicine.” (SLJ) bit.ly/3VXcM26
October 30, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Young readers fascinated by medical shows? Give them Matilda Bone to read. "This humorous, frank look at life in the medical quarters in medieval times shows readers that love and compassion, laughter and companionship, are indeed the best medicine.” (SLJ) bit.ly/3VXcM26
Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum virtually, learning more about their jewelry, embroidery, furniture, paintings, photography, and portrait miniatures. www.vam.ac.uk/collections
October 28, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum virtually, learning more about their jewelry, embroidery, furniture, paintings, photography, and portrait miniatures. www.vam.ac.uk/collections
Homeschools include my books in curriculum. Beyond the Page describes a 3-week study including historical context, research, creative writing skills, vocabulary, and critical thinking. "The Ballad of Lucy Whipple teaches about adaptability, independence, and the importance of family." bit.ly/3L1TCsk
October 23, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Homeschools include my books in curriculum. Beyond the Page describes a 3-week study including historical context, research, creative writing skills, vocabulary, and critical thinking. "The Ballad of Lucy Whipple teaches about adaptability, independence, and the importance of family." bit.ly/3L1TCsk
Take a few minutes for a vacation. Visit the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Video recreations of the Pyramids at Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, and more. Text adds details about each site. (from The Collector) bit.ly/4oBoBKp
What Were the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World? (List & Video Reconstructions) | TheCollector
From the Great Pyramid to the Colossus of Rhodes, discover the seven wonders of the ancient world that were “tourist hotspots” more than two millennia ago.
bit.ly
October 21, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Take a few minutes for a vacation. Visit the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Video recreations of the Pyramids at Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, and more. Text adds details about each site. (from The Collector) bit.ly/4oBoBKp
Great time of year to read Grayling's Song. “There were things I loved: ... the eerie terror of people slowly planted where they stand; Cushman’s prose, which like all the best writing takes a few simple words and contorts them into something new and amazing.” Lauren Oliver, NYTBR bit.ly/3Nz33x2
October 16, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Great time of year to read Grayling's Song. “There were things I loved: ... the eerie terror of people slowly planted where they stand; Cushman’s prose, which like all the best writing takes a few simple words and contorts them into something new and amazing.” Lauren Oliver, NYTBR bit.ly/3Nz33x2
A mysterious set of ancient ceramic spheres has been unearthed deep in the Amazon, revealing unusual contents that could upend what we thought we knew about pre-Columbian rainforest cultures. Arezki Amiri, Daily Galaxy, 13 September 2025 bit.ly/4nOxsIq
Archaeologists Found Strange Prehistoric Spheres in the Amazon—Inside Were Bones That Don’t Belong Together
A mysterious set of ancient ceramic spheres has been unearthed deep in the Amazon, revealing unusual contents that could upend what we thought we knew about pre-Columbian rainforest cultures.
bit.ly
October 14, 2025 at 12:43 PM
A mysterious set of ancient ceramic spheres has been unearthed deep in the Amazon, revealing unusual contents that could upend what we thought we knew about pre-Columbian rainforest cultures. Arezki Amiri, Daily Galaxy, 13 September 2025 bit.ly/4nOxsIq
In Midwife's Apprentice, young Brat has no family, home, or future until she meets Jane the Midwife. As she helps Jane deliver babies, Brat wishes for: “A full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world.” What is midwifery? bit.ly/3KACOsb and bit.ly/3KsvaQH book: bit.ly/3whPlFS
October 9, 2025 at 1:12 PM
In Midwife's Apprentice, young Brat has no family, home, or future until she meets Jane the Midwife. As she helps Jane deliver babies, Brat wishes for: “A full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world.” What is midwifery? bit.ly/3KACOsb and bit.ly/3KsvaQH book: bit.ly/3whPlFS
“The Babylonian scribe mapped what he believed lay beyond his world. The map included mythical creatures and lands, and a familiar story from ancient history. This story is the Babylonian version of the biblical account of Noah’s Ark.” bit.ly/3KxNbgs
Ancient Babylonian Map Sheds Light on Mesopotamia and Story Behind Noah’s Ark - GreekReporter.com
Ancient Babylonian world map from a clay tablet, nearly 3,000 years old, reveals a version of the Noah's Ark story and mythical lands.
bit.ly
October 7, 2025 at 12:46 PM
“The Babylonian scribe mapped what he believed lay beyond his world. The map included mythical creatures and lands, and a familiar story from ancient history. This story is the Babylonian version of the biblical account of Noah’s Ark.” bit.ly/3KxNbgs
Here's a five-minute read-aloud I did of the first chapter of When Sally O'Malley Discovered the Sea, posted on YouTube by Brodart. Have a listen! (link in comments)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjE4...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjE4...
Karen Cushman presents WHEN SALLEY O’MALLEY DISCOVERED THE SEA
YouTube video by Brodart
www.youtube.com
October 2, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Here's a five-minute read-aloud I did of the first chapter of When Sally O'Malley Discovered the Sea, posted on YouTube by Brodart. Have a listen! (link in comments)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjE4...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjE4...
From "The newly discovered desert city that's rewriting the history of the Americas," Heather Jasper, BBC, 11 Sept 2025:
"the Caral people adapted to climate disaster without turning to war – a survival strategy that feels as extraordinary today as it must have been millennia ago." bit.ly/46Lz6n5
"the Caral people adapted to climate disaster without turning to war – a survival strategy that feels as extraordinary today as it must have been millennia ago." bit.ly/46Lz6n5
September 30, 2025 at 12:32 PM
From "The newly discovered desert city that's rewriting the history of the Americas," Heather Jasper, BBC, 11 Sept 2025:
"the Caral people adapted to climate disaster without turning to war – a survival strategy that feels as extraordinary today as it must have been millennia ago." bit.ly/46Lz6n5
"the Caral people adapted to climate disaster without turning to war – a survival strategy that feels as extraordinary today as it must have been millennia ago." bit.ly/46Lz6n5
Houghton Mifflin wrote a terrific discussion guide for The Loud Silence of Francine Green, addressing topics such as growing up, freedom of speech, friendship, fear, and family. Set during the McCarthy era in Los Angeles, this will open good discussions, adding in our current news. bit.ly/4gyfVBF
September 25, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Houghton Mifflin wrote a terrific discussion guide for The Loud Silence of Francine Green, addressing topics such as growing up, freedom of speech, friendship, fear, and family. Set during the McCarthy era in Los Angeles, this will open good discussions, adding in our current news. bit.ly/4gyfVBF
Wayfair for 1500 BC? Ancient clay tablet inscribed with bronze age shopping list. Read the article by Connor Lagore in Popular Mechanics. bit.ly/46eH3lG
photo: HomoCosmicos, Getty Images, from the article
photo: HomoCosmicos, Getty Images, from the article
September 23, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Wayfair for 1500 BC? Ancient clay tablet inscribed with bronze age shopping list. Read the article by Connor Lagore in Popular Mechanics. bit.ly/46eH3lG
photo: HomoCosmicos, Getty Images, from the article
photo: HomoCosmicos, Getty Images, from the article
I've shared my bookshelves with my website visitors ... the books I've found most helpful when writing about specific periods in history. Let me know if you have favorites you can recommend. #research #writingfiction bit.ly/4n7zYZU
September 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
I've shared my bookshelves with my website visitors ... the books I've found most helpful when writing about specific periods in history. Let me know if you have favorites you can recommend. #research #writingfiction bit.ly/4n7zYZU
A nearly complete cranium discovered in 1960 inside Petralona Cave, Greece, has defied all efforts at precise dating for several decades. With advanced isotopic techniques, new results show the skull is at least 286,000 years old. Photo: Carlstaffanholmer / CC BY-SA 3.0 bit.ly/4prNVng
September 16, 2025 at 1:18 PM
A nearly complete cranium discovered in 1960 inside Petralona Cave, Greece, has defied all efforts at precise dating for several decades. With advanced isotopic techniques, new results show the skull is at least 286,000 years old. Photo: Carlstaffanholmer / CC BY-SA 3.0 bit.ly/4prNVng
Have you subscribed to Kate Nafz' Substack? Here's part of her review for Sally O'Malley: "As a narrator Sally is a hoot. She supplies downhome turn-of-phrases not heard for many moons. Her spunky personality will win over readers and they will be emotionally invested in her journey." bit.ly/46kdRZo
September 11, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Have you subscribed to Kate Nafz' Substack? Here's part of her review for Sally O'Malley: "As a narrator Sally is a hoot. She supplies downhome turn-of-phrases not heard for many moons. Her spunky personality will win over readers and they will be emotionally invested in her journey." bit.ly/46kdRZo
I love the idea of early humans walking their dogs, even if it wasn’t as benign as I like to think. And I thought other people may love it, too.
bit.ly/3VaMeN7
bit.ly/3VaMeN7
These may be the world's first images of dogs—and they're wearing leashes
Saudi find may reveal how humans harnessed early dogs to survive
bit.ly
September 9, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I love the idea of early humans walking their dogs, even if it wasn’t as benign as I like to think. And I thought other people may love it, too.
bit.ly/3VaMeN7
bit.ly/3VaMeN7
Fascinated by the archaeology projects, past and present, in London, England? Take a trip to MOLA, the Museum of London Archaeology. #archaeology #London #UnitedKingdom #history
MOLA: www.mola.org.uk
MOLA: www.mola.org.uk
September 2, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Fascinated by the archaeology projects, past and present, in London, England? Take a trip to MOLA, the Museum of London Archaeology. #archaeology #London #UnitedKingdom #history
MOLA: www.mola.org.uk
MOLA: www.mola.org.uk
Once you've read War and Millie McGonigle, there are terrific read-alike novels on this list prepared by the Assn of Children's Librarians of Northern CA), books like The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Liberty by Kirby Larson, and more. Thanks, librarians! bit.ly/4mXQVFN
August 28, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Once you've read War and Millie McGonigle, there are terrific read-alike novels on this list prepared by the Assn of Children's Librarians of Northern CA), books like The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Liberty by Kirby Larson, and more. Thanks, librarians! bit.ly/4mXQVFN
17th Century coin hoard found during farmhouse kitchen remodeling. How did it get buried and how was it found in 2020? Two articles to learn more. History Blog, why people buried their money: bit.ly/3JvTSit (photo: Zachary Culpin, BNPS, from The Guardian article: bit.ly/4mDXw8E )
August 26, 2025 at 1:01 PM
17th Century coin hoard found during farmhouse kitchen remodeling. How did it get buried and how was it found in 2020? Two articles to learn more. History Blog, why people buried their money: bit.ly/3JvTSit (photo: Zachary Culpin, BNPS, from The Guardian article: bit.ly/4mDXw8E )
SLJ starred review: "Cushman adds another intrepid, resourceful, courageous girl to her repertoire. Meggy Swann, deformed since birth, has been sent for by her [alchemist] father in 16th-cent London. When he sees her, he is disappointed to discover that she is just a disabled girl." bit.ly/3pYrzgB
August 21, 2025 at 1:19 PM
SLJ starred review: "Cushman adds another intrepid, resourceful, courageous girl to her repertoire. Meggy Swann, deformed since birth, has been sent for by her [alchemist] father in 16th-cent London. When he sees her, he is disappointed to discover that she is just a disabled girl." bit.ly/3pYrzgB
"Archaeologists have completed a three-year excavation at the Celtic oppidum of Manching in Bavaria and uncovered more than 40,000 artifacts that provide new information on life in the late Iron Age. (Dario Radley, Archaeology News Online Magazine, 16 Aug 2025) bit.ly/4fKXucD
40,000 Celtic artifacts and rare bronze warrior figurine unearthed at Manching in Bavaria
Excavations at Manching reveal 40,000 Celtic artifacts, including a rare bronze warrior, shedding light on Iron Age life.
bit.ly
August 19, 2025 at 12:37 PM
"Archaeologists have completed a three-year excavation at the Celtic oppidum of Manching in Bavaria and uncovered more than 40,000 artifacts that provide new information on life in the late Iron Age. (Dario Radley, Archaeology News Online Magazine, 16 Aug 2025) bit.ly/4fKXucD