Will Sparrow's Road

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cushman, Karen. 2012. Will Sparrow’s Road. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0547739621

PLOT SUMMARY

Thirteen-year-old Will Sparrow has had a tragic life.  Abandoned by his mother and sold by his father for beer, Will runs away and becomes a traveler.  Cushman’s story chronicles the people he meets on his journey.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Karen Cushman’s strength as an author is creating characters and settings that are completely believable.  Although this is the first of Cushman’s books that features a male protagonist, Will Sparrow is easily related to, similar to Cushman’s other characters.  Young Will definitely has a youthful point of view.  As an adult reader, Will’s actions may be seen as somewhat childish, but younger readers will be able to identify with these actions.  Will is the main character of the story, but lesser characters are peppered throughout the story.  The other characters are not as developed, but they are described vividly and are absolutely intriguing.

Cushman is well-known for creating accurate plotlines that are true to the time in which they are taking place.  Will Sparrow’s Road does not differ from her other books in this way.  All of the events of the story are authentic to late sixteenth century England. Cushman’s descriptions of the setting make the story come alive for the reader.  Readers will be able to visualize the markets, the roads, and the characters.  Additionally, Cushman is able to subtly weave in concepts of social history and teaches the reader about life was really like for most people during Elizabethan England.  For example, her descriptions of Will’s hunger will teach the reader about how often young boys went without food.  The theme presented throughout this book is one of self discovery as Will struggles to find himself and figure out where he belongs in society.   

The main appeal of Will Sparrow’s Road is Cushman’s writing style and her ability to make the pages come alive.  She uses words and dialogue authentic to the time period (Certes, for example) throughout the story.  When read in context, the reader will be able to understand the meaning.  The dialogue definitely has a historical feel, but it is not overwhelming.

It is difficult to review Will Sparrow’s Road without comparing it to Cushman’s other works.  As a Newbery Medal and Honor winner, her books are well-known.  Will Sparrow’s Road will appeal to readers, but it does not have the overreaching appeal of The Midwife’s Apprentice or Catherine, Called Birdy.  Positively, the male protagonist featured in Will Sparrow’s Road will appeal to male readers in a way that some of other Cushman’s books may not.  This book provides an excellent introduction to the social history of Elizabethan England.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in Publishers Weekly: "Offering action, humor, and heart in equal doses, Cushman's story is, at its core, about creating and claiming a family of one's own."

Booklist: "Set in Elizabethan England, the novel is built upon Cushman's thorough research and solid understanding of the period."

Horn Book: “"[Cushman] manages the tricky balance of keeping her characters engaging and understandable for her audience while still making them very much of their time."

CONNECTIONS

Readers who enjoyed this novel by Karen Cushman are likely to enjoy her other historical novels as well.  Some of these titles include:

Cushman, Karen. The Midwife’s Apprentice. ISBN 0547722176

Cushman, Karen. Catherine, Called Birdy. ISBN 0547722184