Because Cushman had always been interested in history, particularly medieval England, she began her research in that area. She read young adult historical novels, including those by Patricia MacLachlan and Rosemary Sutcliff, and attended writers' conferences. She went to Renaissance fairs and listened to medieval music. Despite the fact that many people tried to dissuade Cushman from writing historical fiction, she never gave up. Her first novel, Catherine, Called Birdy, was published in 1994 and her second novel, The Midwife's Apprentice, was published in 1995. Both stories are set in medieval England. Cushman's research for her novels is extensive. Her goal is to portray the setting of her books as accurately as possible for her readers. All of the old words and expressions in Cushman's books are real, and foods mentioned in the books are from actual cookbooks. Cushman's third book, The Ballad of Lucy Whipple (1996), takes place during the California Gold Rush. She is currently at work on a fourth novel.
Both Catherine, Called Birdy and The Midwife's Apprentice have earned many awards and honors including the Newbery Honor and Newbery Medal (respectively), American Library Association awards, the Notable Children's Book in Language Arts award, Books for Youth Editors' Choice award, Fanfare Honor List award, School Library Journal's Best Books of the Year award, American Booksellers Association award, and the Gold Kite Award for Fiction from the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
Cushman lives in Oakland, California, with her husband, Philip, two cats, a dog, and a rabbit. When she isn't writing, she enjoys working in her garden — growing tomato plants. She also reads and listens to music popular during the Middle Ages. Cushman continues to teach — she is an adjunct professor at John F. Kennedy University in the Museum Studies department — and to write for young adults.
