Lin Oliver – Karen Cushman https://www.karencushman.com Newbery award-winning author Tue, 31 Aug 2021 16:52:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/www.karencushman.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/favicon.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Lin Oliver – Karen Cushman https://www.karencushman.com 32 32 197177275 Announcing the 2014 Karen and Philip Cushman Late Bloomer Award Winner https://www.karencushman.com/announcing-the-karen-and-philip-cushman-late-bloomer-award-winner/ Tue, 22 Jul 2014 10:44:02 +0000 https://www.karencushman.com/blog/?p=1334 Read more]]> Jennifer SommerThe Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators congratulates Jennifer Sommer of Kettering, Ohio, as the award winner for authors over the age of fifty who have not been traditionally published in the children’s literature field. Jennifer received an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University and has worked as a children’s librarian for twenty years. She won the award for Octopus Capers, an interesting twist on nonfiction in which octopuses are the culprit in aquarium mysteries around the world. Learn more about Jennifer.

The grant was established by Newbery Award winner and Newbery Honor Book recipient Karen Cushman and her husband, Philip Cushman, in conjunction with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Karen published her first children’s book, Catherine, Called Birdy (winner of the 1995 Newbery Honor), at the age of fifty-three and has gone on to become one of the field’s most acclaimed novelists.

“I chose Jennifer Sommer’s Octopus Capers because it reached out and grabbed me—it’s original and engaging. The proposal made me wonder, laugh, and want to know more about octopuses, and I am looking forward to reading the whole thing,” said Karen.

SCBWI Executive Director Lin Oliver added, “Due to the generosity of Philip and Karen Cushman, this award recognizes the fact that creative life has no age limit. Jen pursued her MFA during midlife and her dedication has borne wonderful fruit!”

To read an interview with Jennifer Sommer by SCBWI official blogger, Lee Wind, visit SCBWI: The Blog.

To find out more about the Karen and Philip Cushman Late Bloomer Award and the application process visit the “Awards and Grants” section on the SCBWI website.

]]> 2321 In California https://www.karencushman.com/in-california/ Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:46:05 +0000 https://www.karencushman.com/blog/?p=719 Read more]]> I am on a book tour for Will Sparrow’s Road in Los Angeles. eating my way through town. Yesterday I had a three hour lunch with the delightful Lin Oliver of SCBWI. We were so busy talking that I never got around to taking a photo. And last night Sharon Hearne of the amazing Children’s Book World organized a dinner for me and fourteen teachers, school librarians, and a few other equally interesting folk. We talked books, students, teaching, and the future. I am always awed by the knowledge, dedication, and passion these people bring to their jobs. And I learn so much. Now I am off to speak to 285 7th-graders in Rancho Cucamonga. Really. Stay tuned.

Four Los Angeles photos

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