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.
Whatever holiday we observe and and however we celebrate, may we have peace on earth and in our hearts.
December 25, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Whatever holiday we observe and and however we celebrate, may we have peace on earth and in our hearts.
Medieval selfies! Illustration from article, Jan van Eyck, Giovanni Arnolfini and fiance (the artist includes a self-portrait in the mirror behind the couple). From Medieval Books blog: bit.ly/3YDCCMm
December 23, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Medieval selfies! Illustration from article, Jan van Eyck, Giovanni Arnolfini and fiance (the artist includes a self-portrait in the mirror behind the couple). From Medieval Books blog: bit.ly/3YDCCMm
I'm pleased to find War and Millie McGonigle and Catherine, Called Birdy among so many fine books on this list of "60 Mighty Girl Historical Fiction Novels for Tweens and Teens." Thanks, Katherine Handcock! I hope you're following A Mighty Girl on Facebook. #historicalfiction bit.ly/44svAO1
December 18, 2025 at 12:26 PM
I'm pleased to find War and Millie McGonigle and Catherine, Called Birdy among so many fine books on this list of "60 Mighty Girl Historical Fiction Novels for Tweens and Teens." Thanks, Katherine Handcock! I hope you're following A Mighty Girl on Facebook. #historicalfiction bit.ly/44svAO1
Oldest, surviving, written document is 5,500 years old. The Kish tablet was found near the ancient Sumerian city of Kish, today it is Iraq. Not all of tablet is deciphered. Find out what they know at this point. bit.ly/4qgEhU9
Photo: Clay tablet proto-cuneiform writing. Jim Kuhn/Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Clay tablet proto-cuneiform writing. Jim Kuhn/Wikimedia Commons.
December 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Oldest, surviving, written document is 5,500 years old. The Kish tablet was found near the ancient Sumerian city of Kish, today it is Iraq. Not all of tablet is deciphered. Find out what they know at this point. bit.ly/4qgEhU9
Photo: Clay tablet proto-cuneiform writing. Jim Kuhn/Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Clay tablet proto-cuneiform writing. Jim Kuhn/Wikimedia Commons.
Enjoy Dr. Irving Finkel's lessons in how to write in cuneiform. There are over 130,000 tablets waiting to be studied at the British Museum. Dr. Finkel's “just waiting for young scholars to come devote themselves to (the) monkish work” of deciphering them. #cuneiform #ancienthistory bit.ly/44dD879
December 9, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Enjoy Dr. Irving Finkel's lessons in how to write in cuneiform. There are over 130,000 tablets waiting to be studied at the British Museum. Dr. Finkel's “just waiting for young scholars to come devote themselves to (the) monkish work” of deciphering them. #cuneiform #ancienthistory bit.ly/44dD879
Don't miss my interview with Roger Sutton for The Horn Book. We talk about Joseph Campbell, my beloved Phil, Oregon weather, and the process of writing.
Karen Cushman Talks with Roger: bit.ly/4pSxDTY
Karen Cushman Talks with Roger: bit.ly/4pSxDTY
December 4, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Don't miss my interview with Roger Sutton for The Horn Book. We talk about Joseph Campbell, my beloved Phil, Oregon weather, and the process of writing.
Karen Cushman Talks with Roger: bit.ly/4pSxDTY
Karen Cushman Talks with Roger: bit.ly/4pSxDTY
Hadrian's Wall Discovery, a video look at a previously unseen section of the Wall at Drumburgh on the Solway coast. "This is almost as far west as the wall went and there has been no sign of it here for a very long time." Mark Graham interviews those working on the site. #hadrianswall bit.ly/4rBzazm
December 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Hadrian's Wall Discovery, a video look at a previously unseen section of the Wall at Drumburgh on the Solway coast. "This is almost as far west as the wall went and there has been no sign of it here for a very long time." Mark Graham interviews those working on the site. #hadrianswall bit.ly/4rBzazm
Bearded Vulture nests found to have hoards of cultural artifacts — some up to 650 years old. Because their nests are primarily in the "western Mediterranean, "stable temperature and low humidity conditions ... natural museums, conserving historical material" bit.ly/4rh0yCw [photo: Antoni Margalida}
November 25, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Bearded Vulture nests found to have hoards of cultural artifacts — some up to 650 years old. Because their nests are primarily in the "western Mediterranean, "stable temperature and low humidity conditions ... natural museums, conserving historical material" bit.ly/4rh0yCw [photo: Antoni Margalida}
Have you read my most recent book? Sally O’Malley is an orphan working at a mineral spring hotel in the woods of central Oregon–that is, until she’s chucked out like chewed-on chicken bones, due entirely to an unfortunate incident with a pig and some church ladies. More about Sally: bit.ly/4br0wk3
November 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Have you read my most recent book? Sally O’Malley is an orphan working at a mineral spring hotel in the woods of central Oregon–that is, until she’s chucked out like chewed-on chicken bones, due entirely to an unfortunate incident with a pig and some church ladies. More about Sally: bit.ly/4br0wk3
Archaeologists Finally Find Missing Part of Legendary Statue. In 1930, the lower half of a statue of Ramses II, which once stood 23 feet tall, was discovered by German archaeologist Gunther Roeder. In 2024, an Egyptian and American dig team discovered the upper half near Ashmunein. bit.ly/47Mgwgj
Archaeologists Unearth the Long-Lost Top Half of an Enormous Ramses II Statue
A German researcher found the lower section of the Egyptian pharaoh's likeness nearly 100 years ago
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Archaeologists Finally Find Missing Part of Legendary Statue. In 1930, the lower half of a statue of Ramses II, which once stood 23 feet tall, was discovered by German archaeologist Gunther Roeder. In 2024, an Egyptian and American dig team discovered the upper half near Ashmunein. bit.ly/47Mgwgj
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