MATILDA BONE by Karen Cushman

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cushman, Karen. MATILDA BONE. 2000. New York, NY; Clarion Books. ISBN 978-0440418221

PLOT SUMMARY

Thirteen year old Matilda Bone is brought up in a life of ease within a manor on the hilltop. She is, however, abandoned by Father Leufredus who has educated her in piety and scholarly works to survive in the lower recesses of society. Red Peg becomes her guardian, so to speak. She is the local bone setter and Matilda becomes her assistant. Matilda is forced to do manual labor in exchange for shelter and food. While Matilda believes she is above all of this crude living, she learns to her chagrin that those around her she views with contempt are far superior to those she adored in her studies in high society. Although the tale is in a questioning note of uncertainty, Matilda has visibly grown as character and developed a deeper understanding of the world. She is able to face the future, whatever that might entail.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The story is not so much about a young girl thrust into an unknown and seedy underbelly of society in the 14^th century. It is more about the increasing depravity of the plague and famine gripping the country. Cushman writes in a dry and candid manner. The main character is sarcastic and her distinctly superior tone presents a contrast with setting of sickness and decay of Blood and Bone Alley. The setting of Medieval England is perfectly poignant in the visualization of the historic time period where the everyday people sought the medicinal aid of apothecaries and blood letters and such. Images of medical horror scatter the pages, while the unlikely pair of the two Matilda’s poses contrasting images from their upbringing as a fierce kitchen main and a learned scholar. Cushman presents common people from the Dark Ages in a unique manner, describing their never-ending battle with ailments and waste. The characters are somewhat contradictory, such as the near-sighed apothecary and the ill-trained but well-meaning bone setter. Cushman effectively presents characters that endear themselves to a young reader through their actions and their nature. As the main character learns to not judge a book by its cover, so does the reader learn the historic hardships suffered by the people during the 1300s.

BOOK EXCERPT(S)

American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists"

 New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

 School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year

 Parents' Choice Silver Award

 Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies

 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year

 Arizona Young Readers’ Master List

 Maine Student Book Award Master List

“Fiery Peg, her witty husband and her circle of friends will be the characters readers remember.” Publishers Weekly

“Cushman's character descriptions are spare, with each word carefully chosen to paint wonderful pictures. 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.” School Library Journal

“It's the illness and the healing (and the death) that's the focal point here, not pious, whiny Matilda, who takes an inordinately long time to learn that the dependable, hardworking people she comes in contact with are worth more than the fools and cheaters whose learning she admires. Readers will find much of interest here, but it probably won't be the evolution of Matilda.” Booklist

CONNECTIONS

This is an excellent novel for any fourth or fifth grade classroom, and for librarian wishing to create a program focused on the seedy truth surrounding Medieval Europe, not just knights and chivalry.

Other great reads written by Karen Cushman that discuss Medieval Times;

Cushman, Karen. THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE. ISBN 978-0395692295

Cushman, Karen. CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. ISBN 978-0395681862