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Karen Cushman

Matilda Bone Hardcover – October 16, 2000

by Karen Cushman (Author)

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Into the fascinating, pungent setting of Blood and Bone Alley, home of leech, barber-surgeon, and apothecary, comes Matilda, raised by a priest to disdain worldly affairs and focus on spiritual matters. To Matilda's dismay, her work will not involve Latin or writing, but practical tasks: lighting the fire, going to market, mixing plasters and poultices, and helping Peg treat patients. She is appalled by the worldliness of her new surroundings, and the sharp-tongued saints she turns to for advice are no help at all.

Filled with the witty dialogue and richly authentic detail that Karen Cushman’s work is known for, Matilda Bone is a compelling comic novel about a girl who learns to see herself and others clearly, to laugh, and to live contentedly in this world. Author’s note.

Reading age

10 - 12 years
Print length

176 pages
Language

English
Grade level

5 - 7
Lexile measure

850L
Dimensions

6 x 0.72 x 9 inches
Publisher

Clarion Books
Publication date

October 16, 2000
ISBN-10

0395881560
ISBN-13

978-0395881569
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fans of Cushman's previous medieval novels (Catherine, Called Birdy; The Midwife's Apprentice) may be disappointed with this historical adventure set in "Blood and Bone Alley" in the town of Chipping Bagthorpe. Unlike Catherine and Brat, heroines whose combination of rebelliousness and resourcefulness made them instantly likeable, 13-year-old Matilda is less winning than her supporting cast. The daughter of a wealthy lord's clerk and a mother who fled soon after her birth, Matilda finds herself orphaned when her father dies. As the novel opens, her self-appointed guardian, Father Leufredus, has just dropped her off at the meager lodgings of Red Peg the Bonesetter to learn Peg's trade. Fresh from the intolerant Father's tutelage, Matilda, in her zealous piety, snubs Peg and inadvertently thwarts the woman's work: more than once, while lost in prayer, the girl ruins a salve or a simple meal of porridge. Thus readers don't get the same insider's view of the bonesetter's apprenticeship that they saw of midwifery through Brat's eyes. The promise of a potential villain, Master Theobold, "the leading physick" who prizes money over healing, is never realized; the development of Matilda's friendship with another girl takes place mostly offstage; and, strangely, there are two denouements, in which Matilda makes the same realization that she has been wrong about Peg (one involving an ailing stranger whom she is treating, the other the apothecary's apprentice). Fiery Peg, her witty husband and her circle of friends will be the characters readers remember. Ages 10-14. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-A fascinating glimpse into the colorful life and times of the 14th century. Orphaned Matilda, 13, has lived the good life in a manor where she was well educated by Father Leufredus. Things change drastically, however, when he abandons her, leaving her to serve as an assistant to a bonesetter in return for food and shelter. Matilda is expected to cook the meals, tend the fire, and generally assist Red Peg. And Peg has her hands full dealing with this self-righteous, pious child who snobbishly sprinkles Latin in her everyday speech and continuously brags about her ability to read and write. Peg, however, allows Matilda time to ponder her new role and teaches her, by example, that kindness and friendship go a long way toward lessening the harshness of life in this small English village. Matilda constantly prays for help, guidance, and deliverance. The saints, and this child knows many, respond with humor and sometimes sound advice. The theology espoused by Matilda is consistent with the time period and Father Leufredus has taught her well. She has no thoughts of her own-only the musing and learning of Father Leufredus. She stiffly withholds herself from all attempts at friendship and kindness, and she feels more and more alone. However, when she meets a kitchen maid who joyfully introduces her to the market square, her eyes slowly open to the world around her. Readers witness her spiritual and emotional growth as she blossoms from a self-centered "nincompoop" to a compassionate, competent assistant. 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.
Kit Vaughan, Midlothian Middle School, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Matilda Bone joins Alyce, the midwife's apprentice, and Catherine called Birdy as Cushman's latest heroine of the Middle Ages. But in this story, setting not character takes precedence. Matilda has lived her 14 years in a manor house where Father Leufredus has taught her Latin and encouraged her fear of going to hell. Now, with the priest off to London, Matilda finds herself in Blood and Bone Alley where, much to her dismay, she's been apprenticed to Peg the Bonesetter. It's a whole new world for Matilda, who spends her time mentally conversing with saints and thinking herself better than those around her, as she begins to learn about healing. Bloodlettings, bone settings, foul remedies, and scary surgeries abound throughout the book, and it's easy to lose track of Matilda's evolution. 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. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"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, Starred

The "fascinating information [in the afterword] is just as interesting as Matilda's tale." Horn Book

Editor's Pick. Highly Recommended. "It has become my favorite Cushman book." Book Report

"The plight of thirteen-year-old Matilda will capture readers' imaginations and hearts." VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)

"Reader's who've appreciated Cushman's medieval visions will want to travel back with her again here." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books —

About the Author

Karen Cushman's acclaimed historical novels include Catherine, Called Birdy, a Newbery Honor winner, and The Midwife's Apprentice, which received the Newbery Medal. She lives on Vashon Island in Washington State. Visit her online at karencushman.com and on Twitter @cushmanbooks.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarion Books (October 16, 2000)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0395881560
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0395881569
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 12 years
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 850L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 5 - 7
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.72 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,008,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #305 in Children's Medieval Fiction Books (Books)
- #1,250 in Children's Europe Books
- #7,550 in Children's Books on Health

Customer Reviews:
70 ratings

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Karen Cushman

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Karen Cushman was born in Chicago, Illinois and lives now on Vashon Island west of Seattle, Washington. She received an M.A. in human behavior and one in museum studies. Ms. Cushman has had a lifelong interest in history. She says, "I grew tired of hearing about kings, princes, generals, presidents. I wanted to know what ordinary life was like for ordinary young people in other times." Research into medieval English history and culture led to the writing of her first two novels, the Newbery Honor book CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY and the Newbery Medal-winner THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE. She is also the author of MATILDA BONE, THE BALLAD OF LUCY WHIPPLE, RODZINA, and most recently ALCHEMY AND MEGGY SWANN.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

70 global ratings

5 star		69%
4 star		16%
3 star		11%
2 star		1%
1 star		3%

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El Nel

The best book review!!!!!!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 4, 2017

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This is the book review my granddaughter wrote
In Karen Cushman’s fictional novel, Matilda Bone, Matilda Bone a self-centered, religious, and educated young woman, can’t imagine her purpose in life is to help the ill-mannered Bonesetter, Red Peg.
In a small, medieval, English town, Matilda Bone was left at Blood and Bone Alley to become an apprentice for Red Peg. She is not used to being around so many people who aren’t educated in Latin or prayer. Matilda believes that no one understands her or cares about her. In the course of the book, Peg helps her through the new way of life: through kindness, friendships, and heartbreak.
I would definitely recommend this 160-page book to girls, 10-14 years of age. This book had an excellent flow from chapter to chapter. One thing I admired about the book was that the author beautifully explains Matilda’s thought process and incorporates the story with many twists and turns. Also, when Matilda would get mad or frustrated she would yell saliva mucusque (which in english means “spit and slime”). This book might also, interest readers who want to learn about the medieval period or their medical practices. With all that the book offers I would rate this book 5 stars.

5 people found this helpful

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S. Werkema

It's OK

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 24, 2017

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I had already read two of Cushman's other novels:The Midwife's Apprentice, and Catherine, Called Birdy, both of which I very much enjoyed. Matilda Bone, while interesting - especially regarding 14th-century medicine - was less compelling than those other books. The cast of characters in Matilda Bone looks promising, but the relationships are not as fully developed as I'd expected. Perhaps that's because Matilda herself is only marginally believable and marginally likable. She apparently has a naturally passive personality that has been brainwashed not to do any independent thinking. Matilda does mature during the story, eventually learning to formulate her own ideas. But the process feels more planned than organic, and Matilda just does not seem like a real live girl.

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Lisa Wilson

Re-reading this favorite from childhood was just as much fun now!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 28, 2020

Verified Purchase

I’m surprised how many passages I remembered word for word. This book reminds me of the importance of our laborers and workers now.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 26, 2012

Verified Purchase

I remember picking this book up in middle school in the library because our teacher made us all check at least one book out. I'm so glad that I chose it! It is by far one of my favorites of all time, even though I'm much older now I ended up buying this again just so I could have it. Even reading this as an adult, Matilda Bone does not disappoint. The characters are dynamic, the story is intriguing, and not only do you get a vivid picture of what the medieval era looked like in a common town but you learn about the people and their ways, all while being entertained by a great story.

3 people found this helpful

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Blair Hopkins

Wonderful story, fascinating history

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 14, 2015

Verified Purchase

Wonderful story about a girl's journey to find her place in the world of medieval England! I teach middle school social studies, and I loved the book so much that the language arts teacher at my school and I are planning to teach a join medieval history/Matilda Bone unit with our 7th grade class. Highly recommend for pre-teen girls, especially those who like historical fiction.

3 people found this helpful

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Heather A Clark

Wonderful Story

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 24, 2017

Verified Purchase

I loved this book so much, that I've even used bits of it in lessons for my much older students. I highly recommend this, not only for the historical value, but for the sake of a good story.

3 people found this helpful

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YC

Interesting

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 11, 2019

Verified Purchase

My daughter and I read it together. We liked the vivid descriptions of medieval England.

2 people found this helpful

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Auntie Quated

Good Deal.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 25, 2014

Verified Purchase

The book was definitely worth the price b/c of the content. There was a minimal bit of wear to the cover, but nothing my daughter will mind. Overall we were happy.

2 people found this helpful

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Eywin

Really liked it!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 28, 2015

Verified Purchase

I bought this and a few other Karen Cushman books for some research on a project I'm working on. I like how (in this book and in others) she get the historical accuracy in, without it ever getting boring and I certainly learned a lot!. Even if you're an adult, reading her books can certainly teach you a thing or two, and it's clear a lot of research has gone in to her work. I would definitely recommend any of her books for a young person with an interest in history.

Matilda Bone starts out as a quite unlikeable character, but as the story moves on you start to see why she is the way she is, and how she grows and start forming her own opinions. All the info about bone setting was really interesting too!

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