The Ballad of Lucy Whipple

by Karen Cushman

Libby audiobook 5 hours

Read by Christina Moore

Published: 1996 (this version 1997)

Genre: YA historical fiction

I can't believe I've never blogged this story, either! I just checked my old Excel sheet and found nothing.

I remember the first time I read this (in print) and I sobbed at a sad part. I laughed at Lucy's brother learning all the different words for alcohol. There are both surface things and deep things to enjoy in this story.

Lucy "California" Whipple has gone west with her mother, brother, and two little sisters during the 1850s. Her mother will start a boarding house in Lucky Diggins while they figure out life without Pa and two sisters who have died.

Lucy just wants to go home to Massachusetts. I really like Cushman's writing. This is a wonderful book.

War and Millie McGonigle

by Karen Cushman

Libby audiobook 6 hours

Read by: Emma Galvin

Published: 2021

Genre: YA historical fiction

Set during WWII, this story is by one of my favorite YA authors. Millie is dealing with the death of her beloved grandmother, scarcity, and war fears. Cushman mixes humor (especially cousin Edna) with gravity. Millie's fears and frustrations are palpable. 

Her grandmother left Millie a book for recording memories. Millie believes she is supposed to record "dead things" in it to ward off the bad things that can happen in life. She draws dead animals she finds on the beach and records names of people who die. 

Her little sister Lily is extremely sickly and thinks Millie would like her better if she were dead, too.

The relationships and the growth in Millie make this book another winner for Cushman. It was odd to listen to this as I was reading our book club book which was also set during WWII at the coast!

Will Sparrow's Road

by Karen Cushman

Scott County Library audiobook 4 CDs

read by Katherine Kellgren

Published:2012

Genre: YA historical fiction

 

I'm really surprised that this was published almost ten years ago and I hadn't heard of it! Cushman is one of my favorite YA historical fiction authors. (The Ballad of Lucy Whipple is my favorite of her books.)

 

Will runs away from the innkeeper who plans to sell him to be a chimney sweep. He proclaims, "I care for no one but myself and nothing but my belly" as he seeks to make his way in the world in the late 1590s. He encounters thieves and charlatans on the road and at Elizabethan fairs. Even as he resolves to trust no one, he puts his trust in others who cheat him.

 

When he connects with Fitz, "the creature," the blind juggler, and the other oddities, something changes for him. This was an enchanting story with memorable characters.

One of my favorite parts was when Samuel and his pig duchess are trying to distract some rowdy boys by asking some riddles. This is a paraphrase, but you'll get the gist of it.

"Rich men wrap it up and put it in their pockets but poor men throw it away. What is it?"

No one could guess the answer (including this reader). The answer? Snot! A perfect riddle for rude boys.

This was an enjoyable story with lessons layered in about people, relationships, trust, honesty, and valuing what's truly important.

The Loud Silence of Francine Green

by Karen Cushman
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 5:36
read by Anaka Shockley
genre: YA coming-of-age

Cushman's stories are so thought-provoking! This one is about quiet, obedience Francine and her controversial neighbor Sophie Bowman. Set in cold war America, this was especially enlightening after having read Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation." Francine is a good Catholic girl who just tries to stay out of trouble, especially from Sister Basil. Sophie asks questions which provoke.

I'm not sure which of my students would enjoy this kind of book. Cushman is one of my favorite authors of historical fiction for young adolescents. This one reads as though she lived portions of it! Francine shelving books at the school library made me laugh.

Waiting for Daybreak

by Kathryn Cushman
paperback, Carver County library, 315 pages

I liked this one! It was about two female pharmacists - Paige and Clarissa. Book Club discussed it last night, and Jodi called the characters "Whiney and Witchey" - pretty accurate, but I still liked it. Dawn was an interesting character - it would have been nice to see her story played out. Ora was my absolute favorite! What a saucy old gal. I liked the romance, too. I read this about three weeks ago and am just blogging now . . . Hard to stay on top of this!