Newbery Medal (John Newbery Medal)
1 appearances
-
Edition 75 (1996) Winner
Karen Cushman
カレン・カッシュマン
Karen Cushman
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1941-10-04 （Chicago, Illinois, US）
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Chicago, Illinois, US (birthplace) → Vashon Island, Washington, US
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Former adjunct professor (Museum Studies)
- Active Years
- 1994-2025
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | Humanities | English and Greek | Bachelor of Arts | — | United States |
| — | — | — | Master's degrees (human behavior; museum studies) | — | United States |
Stanford University
Humanities
/ English and Greek
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Country:
United States
Holds a BA in English and Greek
—
Degree:
Master's degrees (human behavior; museum studies)
Country:
United States
Holds master's degrees in human behavior and museum studies (institutions not specified)
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Newbery Honor | Catherine, Called Birdy | — | American Library Association (ALA) | 受賞 |
| 1995 | Golden Kite Award | Catherine, Called Birdy | — | Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) | 受賞 |
| 1996 | Newbery Medal | The Midwife's Apprentice | — | American Library Association (ALA) | 受賞 |
| 1997 | John and Patricia Beatty Award | The Ballad of Lucy Whipple | — | California Library Association | 受賞 |
| 2004 | Washington State Book Award | Rodzina | — | Washington State award organization | 受賞 |
| 2007 | Kerlan Award | — | — | University of Minnesota Children's Literature Research Collection | 受賞 |
Newbery Honor
1995
Work:
Catherine, Called Birdy
Organization:
American Library Association (ALA)
Result:
受賞
Golden Kite Award
1995
Work:
Catherine, Called Birdy
Organization:
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Result:
受賞
Newbery Medal
1996
Work:
The Midwife's Apprentice
Organization:
American Library Association (ALA)
Result:
受賞
John and Patricia Beatty Award
1997
Work:
The Ballad of Lucy Whipple
Organization:
California Library Association
Result:
受賞
Washington State Book Award
2004
Work:
Rodzina
Organization:
Washington State award organization
Result:
受賞
Kerlan Award
2007
Organization:
University of Minnesota Children's Literature Research Collection
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Catherine, Called Birdy
1994 Young adult / Historical novelA humorous coming-of-age story set in medieval England following Catherine (called Birdy), exploring marriage, social status, and female agency.
Coming of ageFemale agencyMedieval lifeHumor
Adaptations
- [Film] Catherine Called Birdy (2022)
The Midwife's Apprentice
1995 Young adult / Historical novelTells the story of an unnamed girl taken in as an apprentice by a midwife who gradually learns skills and self-worth. Winner of the 1996 Newbery Medal.
Self-discoveryLearning skillsCommunity and mutual aid
The Ballad of Lucy Whipple
1996 Young adult / Historical novelSet during the California Gold Rush, it follows Lucy as she and her family face challenges; the novel was adapted into a TV film in 2001.
FamilyAdversityGrowth
Adaptations
- [TV film] The Ballad of Lucy Whipple (TV film) (2001)
Matilda Bone
2000 Young adultA young protagonist encounters unknown worlds and grows; detailed summary omitted.
GrowthAdventure
Bibliography
- Catherine, Called Birdy (1994)
- The Midwife's Apprentice (1995)
- The Ballad of Lucy Whipple (1996)
- Matilda Bone (2000)
- Rodzina (2004)
- The Loud Silence of Francine Green (2006)
- Alchemy and Meggy Swann (2010)
- Will Sparrow's Road (2012)
- Grayling's Song (2016)
- War and Millie McGonigle (2021)
- When Sally O'Malley Discovered the Sea (2025)
Adaptations
- The Ballad of Lucy Whipple — TV film (2001)
- Catherine, Called Birdy — Film (2022)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Detailed historical描写 with a narrative voiceBlend of humor and contemporary sensibilityDetailed character-driven perspective from young protagonists
- Recurring Motifs
- Coming of ageYoung women gaining independenceCommunity and mutual aidDetails of medieval/historical daily life
Legacy
Karen Cushman is an acclaimed author of historical young-adult fiction, winner of the 1996 Newbery Medal among other honors. Known for portrayals of female protagonists set in medieval contexts, she has had significant influence in children's literature.
Museums
- Arne Nixon Center (holds Karen Cushman Papers) California, US (Arne Nixon Center)
- University of Minnesota Children's Literature Research Collection (Kerlan Collection) Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
Archives
- Arne Nixon Center (Karen Cushman Papers)
- University of Minnesota Children's Literature Research Collection (Kerlan Collection)
In Popular Culture
- Film adaptation of Catherine, Called Birdy (2022)
- TV film adaptation of The Ballad of Lucy Whipple (2001)
Trivia
- Won the 1996 Newbery Medal for The Midwife's Apprentice.
- Received a 1995 Newbery Honor and Golden Kite Award for Catherine, Called Birdy.
- Resigned from adjunct professorship at John F. Kennedy University in 1996 to write full-time.
- Lives on Vashon Island, Washington.