Product Description

'Like Cushman's 1995 Newbery Honor Book, Catherine, Called Birdy, this novel is about a strong young woman in medieval England who finds her own way home. This is a world, like Chaucer's, that's . . . dangerous, primitive and raucous. From the first page you're caught by the spirit of the homeless, nameless waif, somewhere around 12 years old. She gets the village midwife to take her in, befriends a cat, names herself Alyce, and learns something about delivering babies. When she fails, she runs away, but she picks herself up again and returns to work and independence.' --ALA Booklist (starred review). '. . .A fascinating view of a far distant time.' -- The Horn Book (starred review)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #44353 in Books
• Published on: 1996-09-30
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Amazon.com
Karen Cushman likes to write with her tongue firmly planted in her cheek, and her feisty female characters firmly planted in history. In The Midwife's Apprentice, which earned the 1996 Newbery Medal, this makes a winning combination for children and adult readers alike. Like her award-winning book Catherine, Called Birdy, the story takes place in medieval England. This time our protagonist is Alyce, who rises from the dung heap (literally) of homelessness and namelessness to find a station in life--apprentice to the crotchety, snaggletoothed midwife Jane Sharp. On Alyce's first solo outing as a midwife, she fails to deliver. Instead of facing her ignorance, Alyce chooses to run from failure--never a good choice. Disappointingly, Cushman does not offer any hardships or internal wrestling to warrant Alyce's final epiphanies, and one of the book's climactic insights is when Alyce discovers that lo and behold she is actually pretty! Still, Cushman redeems her writing, as always, with historical accuracy, saucy dialogue, fast-paced action, and plucky, original characters that older readers will eagerly devour. (Ages 12 and older) --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly
In reviewing this 1996 Newbery winner, PW said that Cushman "has an almost unrivaled ability to build atmosphere, and her evocation of a medieval village, if not scholarly in its authenticity, is supremely colorful and pungent." Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9?With simplicity, wit, and humor, Cushman presents another tale of medieval England. Here readers follow the satisfying, literal and figurative journey of a homeless, nameless child called Brat, who might be 12 or 13?no one really knows. She wandered about in her early years, seeking food and any kind of refuge and, like many outsiders, gained a certain kind of wisdom about people and their ways. Still, life held little purpose beyond survival?until she meets the sharp-nosed, irritable local midwife, which is where this story begins. Jane takes her in, re-names her Beetle, and thinks of her as free labor and no competition. Always practical but initially timid, the girl expands in courage and self-awareness, acquiring a cat as a companion, naming herself Alyce, and gaining experience in the ways of midwifery. From the breathless delight of helping a boy to deliver twin calves, to the despair of failure during a difficult birth, to the triumph of a successful delivery, Alyce struggles to understand how she can allow herself to fail and yet have the determination to reach for her own place in the world. Alyce wins. Characters are sketched briefly but with telling, witty detail, and the very scents and sounds of the land and people's occupations fill each page as Alyce comes of age and heart. Earthy humor, the foibles of humans both high and low, and a fascinating mix of superstition and genuinely helpful herbal remedies attached to childbirth make this a truly delightful introduction to a world seldom seen in children's literature.?Sara Miller, Rye County Day School, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Cushman Offers More of the Same
I enjoyed Karen Cushman's novel, Catherine, Called Birdy, so I was excited to read a second offering from her. The Midwife's Apprentice was published in 1996 by HarperTrophy. The Flesch-Kincaid grade level is 10.6. At 128 pages, it is a shorter novel and lacks some of the charms of Catherine, Called Birdy. For example, the diary format and the inclusion of the stories of the saint's days were one fascinating aspect of the earlier novel. But still present are Cushman's use of wit and vivid detail to propel one young woman's story. Those who were originally engaged by her use of historical detail and her commentary on women's roles that resonates with modern readers will not be disappointed. Cushman tells her story with a great deal of wit, while maintaining the gritty perspective on medieval life she demonstrated in Catherine, Called Birdy.

Rather than introducing us to a girl of some manner of privilege, Cushman introduces us to Beetle, a nameless orphan who lucks upon a career. As the midwife's apprentice, Beetle encounters some scenes not for the faint of heart, discovers town secrets, and learns her own strength. The contrast between medieval and modern birthing ideas is fascinating, as is the truly prominent role the midwife actually plays in her society. She plays the wise but stern grandmother, the physician, and even the spiritual authority by turns in the novel. As Beetle, or Alyce, trains for this role, she transforms from fearful to capable. She also faces many challenges of becoming a young woman, including dealing with her sexuality and determining what kind of role she wants to play in her relationships.

As Cushman's details sometimes lean more toward entertainment or shock value than historical accuracy, it might be an interesting project for students to research the roles of women in medieval times themselves. Comparing Cushman's ideas to those of historians might broaden students' perspectives and also help them to engage more with historical records. Another positive aspect of the book is that Cushman sheds light on the interest in the history of women, previously often lost or ignored, that has arisen since the 1970s. Together with Cushman's books, young readers could be introduced to some of the impressive work that has been done in this field.

This book may initially attract young adult readers who are interested in the historical fiction genre, but the issues addressed will be relevant for many more. As young people toy with the idea of different career paths, watching the way adults themselves fulfill these roles, they make judgments that ultimately guide their future decisions. The decisions Alyce makes in the end reflect the changes she has undergone. Like Catherine, Alyce is an observant and opinionated young woman; an unlikely role model, but certainly an engaging one.

A journey of self discovery
The Midwife's Apprentice is a historical fiction set in a small English village early in the 14th century. The setting allows the reader to compare the values and ways of the culture in which we live to the ways of the past. The exact time the story takes place isn't really divulged by the author. The setting is shown not necessarily by a date, but more by the speech, dress, and behavior of the characters as well as the ideas contained in the village in which they all reside.

Readers are first introduced to the main character of the book while she is sleeping in an alley; she is unloved, unknown, unnamed, and doesn't even know her own age. Throughout the story and through many trials of will and strength the young girl discovers that even she has a place in society. The girl, Alyce, pairs up with a cat and a midwife who help her to learn what it means to be needed as well as appreciated. Through her journey Alyce learns some hard lessons and slowly develops a since of purpose and self-esteem. She grows into a person who respects herself and others who work hard and are understanding to those who earn it.

The book contains an author's note at the end that helps the reader to become aware of the origin and the history of midwifery. The author also takes the opportunity to discuss some of the herbs and superstitions that midwifes of the past have used to help in the delivery of babies. This helps to show that the information presented in the story is authentic as well as a reflection of the values of the past culture.

The story helps to show young readers that times have changed but our basic needs have remained the same throughout history. The need to belong is strong, and it often holds us together even when the odds are against us.

Inappropriate for elementary aged children
I am glad I read this first before I handed it over to my 8 year old. We're wrapping up a year of homeschooling using Story of the World Book 2 about the Middle Ages and I was excited to find a relatively short novel from that time period.

I read it in a few hours and because I find the Middle Ages fascinating, I enjoyed the book for what it is: historical fiction. Well written and intriguing, the moral of the story is worthwhile: never give up.

Unfortunately, the situations involving fornication, adultery, and dishonest gain are enough to make me NOT recommend this to anyone, particularly a young person.

This book won a Newberry Award. I suppose I was naive enough before reading this book that the highest honor in children's fiction would be given to books that exemplify moral behavior in a way that is appropriate for children. Apparently not.

The Midwife's Apprentice would stand just fine without insinuating immoral sexual behavior. It is suppose to be a children's book, for heaven's sake.

So for me, that's the rub. I will be returning this post haste to the library.