The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

“The False Prince” is a story about Sage. Sage is an orphan boy who is quite defiant. He gets into a lot of trouble. In fact, it is as he is stealing some meat that he is nabbed by Conner along with 3 other boys. Conner presents a plan to the 4 boys. Sage isn’t very cooperative with the plan. He causes problems for Conner but Conner keeps him involved in his plan mostly because he doesn’t give Sage or the others any other option. This is no minor plan. Conner wants to present one of them as the long lost son of the king.

Even though Sage is a bit of a rebel rouser, I couldn’t help but thoroughly enjoy his character. I loved all of the characters of this story. I felt a part of their life as I read.

I had just finished a book before this one and so I picked this book up just to read a little to see what it was about because I was going to read it next. Next thing I knew I had been up all night and I finished it. This book is great from page 1.

One thing I like about it is that even though it is the first book of a trilogy (the Ascendance trilogy) it had a really satisfying ending. I don’t often see that in trilogies. I could see where this book was going but I also feel that many loose ends were covered. It was great.

I highly recommend this book.

The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman

This book won the Newbury Metal.  A girl known as brat or beetle or anything else cruel is in a dung pile staying warm for the night when a midwife finds her and takes her home.  This girl renames herself Alyce and becomes the Midwife’s apprentice.  It is hard for me to imagine someone getting so little love and ending up in her circumstances.  I like this story because it is a story of determination and of learning and one of figuring out individual worth.  The book deserves its Newbury Metal.  It is a very high quality book.  It was hard to put the book down.

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15 Books in a Month

I was trying to SPRINT and all through July I have read 15 books.  WHEW!!!  I have enjoyed many and I'm not sure if I will slow down...I think I'd better.  Before July, I had only read 5 books this year.  My "to read" book pile was getting really big.  It is still big but I put a big dent in it.  Here is what remains after my reading spree. (And that is just part of it.)  Ugggghhhh! 

Ballad of Lucy Whipple, the by Karen Cushman

California isn’t happy to be going to California. She’d rather be in Massachusetts with her Grams. Her mom has taken her to California with her brother and sister. She tells everyone that her name isn’t California anymore she wants to be called Lucy because she doesn’t want any part of California even though it was a dream of her mother and late father’s. Lucy does what she can to try to earn money to go back home. Not everything happens according to her plans.

This is a good book. It is Historical fiction based on the California Gold Rush. It’s hard to believe it is historical fiction because it is easy to get lost in the story. I liked and enjoyed this book. It made me want to be content with wherever and whoever I am.

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Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

Catherine is quite the interesting girl. She would be the typical everyday girl in this period in England (1290). She lives in a manor. It is a small manor but she helps her mother to tend to sicknesses and embroiders a lot. She is not too happy with her lot in life. She is especially not excited to be told she has to marry who her father choses for her. This is a story of her defiance and her dreams of her own life.

I like this book. I thought it was most unique. Some parts could be a little crude such as talking about relieving one’s bladder and body parts but I think it helped to understand the crudeness of this period of time. This is not a lady like girl. The book is also written like a diary which is a fun way to get the idea across.

I learned much about this period of time especially about how their homes worked in regards to the king. I love how the author adds notes at the end. I didn’t realize what a Historical Fiction kind of person I am. This book is right along those lines.

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Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman

This is a story about a girl named Matilda. Matilda has an interesting background. She was raised by Father Leufredus in a very religious manor. She didn’t worry about food or clothing. She only had to worry about learning Latin, French, Writing and Religion. Her life is about to change as she is on her way to the Bonesetter’s to be a help to Peg. Peg doesn’t quite fit into Matilda’s background and she has to learn a new way of life. She seems to always be longing to be back with Father Leufredus.



This is a story about book learning versus real life. It is about real people versus theory.

There is a greater theme though and I’ve had a hard time putting a finger on what it is but I think it has something to do with listening to oneself and how we feel as opposed to something we may have learned from others or instead of believing what others sometimes erroneously believe even if many join in that belief.


I found the notes at the end of the book very valuable. The Author gave some more information about bone setting and medicine. It is interesting, some of the theories about medicine. I am glad we’ve come a long way since then.

I think this is one of the great books.

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Rodzina by Karen Cushman

I enjoyed learning a bit while I read this fun little novel. It talks of orphans being transported to the West by trains from the overly orphaned populated Chicago. The interesting part is that this really happened in America. It helped me to think about what it would be like to be one of those orphans.


This book is about a 12 year old girl named Rodzina. Rodzina is a big girl for her age. She doesn’t describe herself as pretty either. She has been well taken care of as she’s grown up but suddenly she finds herself without family when her mother passes away. She’d like to stay in Chicago but the orphanage doesn’t give her an option. This is her adventure with the train of orphans headed West.

I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more of Cushman’s books. I like the way she writes. This book helped me want to treat people better. It makes me want to think about how the children around me are treated and to remember that they are people too. It made me ponder a different day and relate it to my own. I’d definitely recommend this book.

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