Meet the 1996 Newbery Award-winning author at her home in Vashon Island, Washington. Find out how writing changed her life and listen to the author read from her Newbery Award-winning book The Midwife's Apprentice - the powerful story of a young girls search for herself during the middle ages. -20 mins

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Topics for classroom discussion and assignments:

• Karen Cushman talks about heroes. Her hero is Elvis.  Discussion topic: What makes someone a hero? Essay: Write about your own hero. It can be a family member, celebrity, sports figure, or politician.

• The author is passionate about love, peace and children.  Write about something that you are passionate about.   

• Karen Cushman shows us photographs of people who are important to her. Make a photograph collage of those who are important to you. This could also be the start of a personal photo album.

• InThe Midwife's Apprentice flowers were used for medicinal purposes. Research different uses of flowers and herbs. Make an oral presentation on how various flowers and herbs are used  today for a variety of purposes, including medicines and recipes.

• Karen Cushman takes a suitcase to schools when she makes presentations. What is in this suitcase? Why does she bring the suitcase along? Questions to write about: Do you have a special box, bag or place where you keep things that are important to you, or tell about your past? If not, imagine you had one. What would you put in it?