THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE by: Karen Cushman

Bibliography
Cushman, Karen. 1995. THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN 0395692296.

Plot Summary
This story is about a young homeless girl in medieval England. She is named Beetle by the boys that tease her for sleeping in the dung heap to stay warm. Beetle soon finds work with the town midwife and carries out many tasks for the mean woman. Soon, Beetle begins to understand a few things about midwifery and even gets the courage to give herself a new name, Alyce. Alyce delivers a baby by accident and is soon called to act as a midwife to another woman only to fail. After failing, she runs away and works in an inn. Alyce is later confronted with a woman giving birth and realizes that she knows more than she thought. With many prospects, Alyce gains confidence and returns to the midwife to learn more about the art of delivering babies.

Critical Analysis
Karen Cushman transports the reader into medieval England. We learn about daily life at this time through the eyes of a young girl. The author also provides us a look into the practice of midwifery. As a reader, we learn techniques, herbs, and payment for such services and the importance of it. For instance, according to Beetle, no one likes the midwife, but she is the only choice they have (if they can afford it). Also, the midwife's knowledge is being preserved in an encyclopedia because the author felt it was important. These details, along with an author's note at the end of the book, provide us historically accurate information.

Aside from the historical facts included in the story, Cushman has created a quick read with humor and themes of confidence, bullying, lonliness, and finding your place in the world. Each reader can identify with the heroine through one of these themes or others that can be found within this book.

Overall, Cushman has given the reader aa historically accurate story full of humor and themes relevant to any time.

Review Excerpts and Awards

1996 Winner of the John Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

starred review in BOOKLIST: "Kids will be caught up in this short, fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers that she's not ugly or stupid or alone."

starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "With simplicity, wit, and humor, Cushman presents another tale of medieval England."

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: In review of 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."

Connections
*This book can be used to see what life was like for women in medieval England.
*This book can be used to study the importance of midwifery at this time and how it was viewed. *This book can be used to discuss confidence. The students can then write a story about a time when they lacked the confidence to do something and how they overcame that fear.