Cushman, Karen. MATILDA BONE. New York, NY; Clarion Books.2000.

ISBN 978-0440418221

Plot Summary:

Thirteen year old Matilda Bone is brought up in a life of ease within a manor on the hilltop. One day she is abandoned by Father Leufredus to live in Blood and Bone Alley with a bone setter named Peg. Red Peg becomes her guardian, so to speak, and Matilda becomes her assistant. Matilda is forced to do manual labor in exchange for shelter and food. Matilda finds this work horrible and prays for life back at the manor. Matilda is surrounded by people who laugh, joke, and eat sausage while she wants only the higher things like prayer and education. Lonely and misunderstood, she seems destined to live with Peg. Through the strange characters in this town and their relationships with each other, Matilda discovers that not everything is how she thought and she can not always ask a "higher power" for the answers. As Matilda's character evolves, she begins to understand more about the world and starts to enjoy it.

Critical Analysis:

Matilda Bone is a great historical fiction book set in the medieval England and exposes the reader to medical treatment of that time while revealing the life of the people.  Matilda Bone is the main character and is depicted as a innocent young girl thrown into a poor society with colorful characters surrounding her throughout the book. She is very sarcastic and feels she is above living in such conditions. For example, Matilda says, " She (Peg) treats me like a kitchen maid, thought Matilda.  As if I am fit for nothing but measuring and brewing. Why I know Latin and French and some Greek".   Cushman gives us a wide variety of other interesting characters that live in the village . These characters represents the common people from this time in a unique manner, describing their never-ending trouble with sickness and disease. Cushman also makes many of the character's names match the occupation in which they work for example Matilda's name ends up being Matilda Bone.  The plot of this book moves a bit slow but this does allow for the reader to be exposed to many concepts of the time period.  While Matilda meets new characters,she grows with the acceptance of the people and the place but she still struggles with her purpose.  Not till the end of the book does Matilda finally realize that Blood and Bone Alley and the friends she has made might be where she should be. In the author's notes at the back of the book, Cushman explains her research techniques and more information on medical practices of medieval times.  These notes adds to the validity of the information in the book and the accuracy of the information.  The overall theme of this book is the life lesson of  "never judge people" from the outside.  The growth of Matilda through the story from a narrow-minded, sarcastic girl to a kind, considerate girl happens slowly while the reader learns about history of that time period. The author reveals many things through the characters speech, manners, names, and thoughts while exposing the reader to the shocking medical methods of the time period. In parts of the book it is nearly a bit grotesque when Cushman writes about certain medical practices. (Ex: leeching)  The historical details are strongly represented in the book but seem to over shadow the characters at times. I tended to be drawn to the details of the village and medical services but sometimes not as pulled toward the main character Matilda. The book is very enjoyable and has great information for any reader wanting knowledge of medical practices in medieval times. 

Connections:
The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman
Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
A Short History of Medicine by Erwin H. Ackerknecht
The Story of Medicine in the Middle Ages by David Riesman

Awards and Reviews:

• 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

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

“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