THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cushman, Karen. 1995. THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0395692296

PLOT SUMMARY
A young girl who has never had a home keeps warm by a dung pile when a lady approaches her and inquires whether the girl is alive. The lady, a heartless midwife, sees she could benefit from the girls labor and offers her a position as an apprentice. Throughout the seasons, the girl builds esteem and decides to take on the name Alyce. Although the midwife is very cruel and does not willingly share her knowledge, Alyce gradually picks up some skills. People in the town take notice, and Alyce is called on to deliver a baby. She is unable to bring forth the child and runs away do to her failure. At the end, she comes back and serves alongside the midwife.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Cushman does an impeccable job of creating an approachable and nonthreatening character within a historical setting that is often thought of as scary and daunting. Children will become instant fans of Alyce rooting her on against the cruel nature of the time. Although the filth and harshness of Alyce’s life is shocking, the simple childhood adventures of running from boys and picking apples will be easy for children to relate to. Cushman’s language is simple and enjoyable to read, adding a light and airy touch to balance out the dark time.

The setting dictates the story as Alyce struggles with homelessness and hunger are brought on by the times. Children today would not experience such torment. Throughout the story there is a theme of becoming someone despite the odds. At the end of the story, Alyce is amazed at how far she has come. The story presents the message that no matter how cruel the world is, opportunities will arise, and it is important to seize them.

Cushman’s writing is delightful and intriguing. I personally couldn’t put the book down and read it all in one sitting. While the heart of the book is the story line, I was impressed at the amount of history Cushman was able to weave in naturally.

At the end of the novel, Cushman includes an excerpt where she explains her resources for the historical information she imbedded. However, there are not explicit citations. Overall, I was extremely impressed in Cushman’s ability to craft a delightful novel in period of time often avoided by authors due to its grim nature.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERTP(S)
Newberry Medal
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “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. . . . 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.”
Starred review in BOOKLIST: “This novel is about a strong, young woman in medieval England who finds her own way home. . . . 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.”

CONNECTIONS
*Lead a discussion about medieval times. See what information students already know they can share with the class. Have students to explore the website http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/medieval/
*Share with students books about medieval culture by Lynn Elliot
MEDIEVAL MEDICINE AND THE PLAGUE (MEDIEVAL WORLD). ISBN 0778713903
FOOD AND FEASTS IN THE MIDDLE AGES (MEDIEVAL WORLD). ISBN 0778713806
*Other books authored by Karen Cushman set in the Middle Ages
MATILDA BOONE. ISBN 0440418224
CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. ISBN 0064405842