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.
Grayling's Song
eBook
$9.99
-
ISBN-13:
9780544301634
- Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Publication date: 06/07/2016
- Sold by: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Format: eBook
- Pages: 224
- Sales rank: 323,073
- File size: 4 MB
- Age Range: 10 - 12 Years
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“Like all Karen Cushman's gorgeous novels, Grayling’s Song delves into the past to let us know what we must ask of our future.” —Lena Dunham
It’s time for Grayling to be a hero. Her mother, a “wise woman”—a sort of witch—has been turned into a tree by evil forces. Tangles and toadstools! Lacking confidence after years of being called “Feeble Wits” by her mother, Grayling heads off dubiously into the wilds in search of help, where she finds a weather witch, an aromatic enchantress, a cheese soothsayer, a slyly foolish apprentice, and a shape-shifting mouse named Pook! A fast-paced and funny coming-of-age odyssey from a Newbery medalist.
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The New York Times Book Review - Lauren Oliver
…Cushman's voice is as lovely as ever, and the fearful and self-doubting Grayling is almost definitely a more realistic representation of the average young adult than some of Cushman's famous protagonists…Publishers Weekly
03/21/2016Bringing fantasy elements to the historical terrain she is known for, Newbery Award–winner Cushman (The Midwife’s Apprentice) introduces timid Grayling Strong, who must stop a terrible dark entity that has invaded the land and caused those with magic—including Grayling’s “wise woman” mother, Hannah—to become rooted to the ground, their skin slowly turning to bark. Having no magic of her own, Grayling embarks on this quest equipped with a few magically infused songs and a basket full of potions intended to keep her safe. Shortly into her journey, however, a curious mouse finds his way into the basket and consumes the magic inside, leaving Grayling with a loyal, talking, shape-shifting pet she names Pook. They are soon joined a handful of spirited compatriots with questionable magic: Auld Nancy, a weather witch; her spoiled great-niece, Pansy; and an enchantress named Desdemona Cork. Written in Cushman’s characteristic straightforward, character-focused style, the story focuses less on plot, which is fairly formulaic, and more on Grayling’s path to discovering her own strength, wit, and determination. Ages 10–12. Agent: Elizabeth Harding, Curtis Brown. (June)
From the Publisher
* "The eventual revelation of just who unleashed the destructive power manages to be simultaneously unexpected, plausible, and thought-provoking. Despite her self-doubt, Grayling is cut from the same cloth as the author's other sturdy heroines, but she is also an entirely original and endearing character that readers will cheer on as she seeks to save her mother and return her world to rights."—Kirkus, STARRED review "The language gives the book the atmospheric flavor of historical fiction, and the land itself is wild and mysterious, exactly the type of place where magic could happen, children could wander around trying to fix the world, and tiny mice could shapeshift into mighty protectors if fed the right potion. Cushman offers a complete story with clear resolutions, a memorably complex villain, and a sweet protagonist who becomes far more than background by the end; fantasy buffs and Cushman fans alike will be well pleased."—Bulletin"Young fans of magic will revel in delving into this new world with its cast of unique characters." —School Library Journal "Like all Karen Cushman's gorgeous novels, Grayling's Song delves into the past to let us know what we must ask of our future. I want Cushman's books to raise my children for me: that way I can be assured they'll grow up witty, vastly knowledgeable, and tough as nails." —Lena Dunham (Girls) “In this world, magic is commonplace but no less enchanting. This adventure story has the feel of a classic fable, and Cushman’s writing brims with grace and warmth.”—BookPage"Anyone who has a fondness for fantasy or medieval historical fiction will love this book. Author Karen Cushman delivers a refreshing spin on magic that any aspiring witch or wizard will appreciate." —TIME for Kids, Kid Reporter
Children's Literature - Lois Rubin Gross
There is nothing more satisfying that a well told tale from a skilled storyteller. Karen Cushman, in her first fantasy, gives us just such a well-written story of wise women and “cunning” folk. Hannah Strong is among the most skilled of the wise women as she doles of potions and healing songs to village folk who barter for her services. Her daughter, Grayling, does not see how she can measure up to her mother’s talent and considers herself quite ordinary. Then evil stalks the land and turns her mother and other magical people into trees, while also stealing their spell books. Grayling must venture out into the world, find her mother’s grimoire (magic book), and lift the curse that is stealing her mother’s humanity. Grayling lacks a belief in her own skills; but she actually possesses intelligence, courage, wit, and perseverance. She has also been more observant of the herbs and soothing songs her mother uses in her work than she realizes. As she travels, Grayling assembles a group of comrades to help her in her questmost especially a shape shifting mouse, an elderly weather witch, that crone’s annoying niece who has been dabbling in the dark arts, and a diviner who tells the future with cheese. The story flows beautifully, with enough energy and adventure to engage middle readers. It is anchored in the truth of how herbs have provided real medical help throughout the ages. This is a fantasy dominated by female energy, both positive and negative. It is full of important lessons about self-esteem, trusting your talents, and the importance of (female) teamwork. A sequel may be coming; annoying Pansy vows to study dark magic, setting herself at odds with Grayling’s developing aptitude. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross; Ages 10 to 14.School Library Journal
03/01/2016Gr 3–6—Grayling's mother, a healer and wise woman, is turning into a tree, and Grayling is the only one who can save her. It all started when a shadow attacked and burned their cottage, stole their grimoire, and rooted her mother into the ground. Sent with only a basket of spells and her mother's powerful songs, Grayling must find a way to stop the shadow. Rich in details that bring to life the magical woodland setting, Cushman's latest novel is full of adventure and clever characters. Readers are also introduced to memorable secondary characters, including a shape-shifting mouse, a radiant enchantress, and a wizard who uses cheese to tell the future, each of whom finds their way to Grayling through her enchanted song. VERDICT Young fans of magic will revel in delving into this new world with its cast of unique characters.—Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2016-03-30A timid young girl must venture out into the wider world in an effort to find allies and save her mother from malignant magic.Her home in ashes and her mother rooted to the ground—literally—Grayling reluctantly sets out with a handful of herbs and potions and a song that calls wise folk to gather. Her meager pharmacopeia is quickly gone, devoured by a small mouse that winds up playing a large role in her adventures. The gathering song works, more or less, and Grayling is joined by an elderly weather witch and her sulky apprentice, a self-absorbed enchantress, and an academic (and ineffectual) wizard. Cushman crafts these characters with humor and humanity, avoiding caricature while giving each a distinctive personality. Unfortunately, none of her companions seems to know much more than Grayling about what evil is abroad or how to combat it. The plot unwinds smoothly as the group experiences setbacks and danger while traveling through a clearly limned, seemingly medieval, and presumptively all-white kingdom. The eventual revelation of just who unleashed the destructive power manages to be simultaneously unexpected, plausible, and thought-provoking.Despite her self-doubt, Grayling is cut from the same cloth as the author's other sturdy heroines, but she is also an entirely original and endearing character that readers will cheer on as she seeks to save her mother and return her world to rights. (Fantasy. 9-12)