Matilda Bone is the second novel that I have read by author Karen Cushman. The story of Matilda Bone is a thought provoking historical fiction novel set in the dark ages. Matilda is a young woman who a has been living at a manor house as a guest after the untimely death of her father. During this time she has been under the instructions of a monk Father Leufredus who has taught her everything she needs to know about the Saints, Latin and Heaven. Then suddenly when the father is called away to another parish he sends Matilda off to apprentice as a bone setter in Blood and Bone Alley. Matilda's world is turned upside down as all her knowledge of the world and religion is tested and she must learn to adapt to this new lifestyle far away from the manor house. Will Matilda be able to overcome her prejudices in time to save a friend.
This is a beautiful coming of age story written through the eyes of a precocious young girl. It is a very fast read and it leaves the reader so thirsty for knowledge about the time period. I would recommend this book to children sixth grade and up I believe that some of the concepts may be hard to understand for younger children and some of the language. As always though it is up to the parent and the child.
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