Bibliography Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife’s Apprentice. New York: Sandpiper. ISBN 9780547722177 Plot Summary A young homeless girl, known only as Brat, finds herself without a family, home, or future in medieval England. She is hopeless until one day she stumbles upon the ill-tempered midwife, Jane, and finds herself thrust into a world she knows nothing about; being a midwife’s apprentice. As Brat’s fortune changes, she finds confidence and a new name, Alyce, as well as the courage to dream of something more for herself. Her dream of “a full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world,” set against the colorful backdrop of an English village, will tug at your heartstrings, make you laugh, and bring a tear to your eye as Alyce finds exactly what she dreams of. Critical Analysis The first feature of this story that draws the reader in is the main character, Brat. Brat finds herself staying warm in a pile of manure, avoiding the teasing and torture of the village children, and eating whatever scraps she can find. She is an orphan who has no memory of her mother or where she came from. This realization is startling to the reader. How can a child this young live on his/her own without shelter, food, and care?! You feel an instant protection over Brat, who becomes known as Beetle, when the midwife takes her under her wing. The reader sees Beetle enjoying childlike activities, making friends with a cat, and doing whatever it takes to make Jane the midwife happy so that her survival can continue. The development of Beetle’s character as she becomes Alyce (the new name she chooses for herself), demonstrates the theme of growing up, finding yourself, and beginning to think for yourself, as well. Readers can relate to Brat/Beetle/Alyce, and root for her to succeed and find her way. The story takes place in medieval England in an ordinary village. The dialect, language, jobs, living conditions, and clothing are all authentic to the time period. Cushman includes a note at the end discussing midwifery in medieval England, demonstrating her research and commitment to accurately portraying Brat/Beetle/Alyce’s situation and living conditions. Even though the story takes place in a time that may be unfamiliar with most readers, Cushman does an excellent job of using vivid imagery to bring the scene to life. The characters, setting, and events are all described with detail, creating a fictional atmosphere that pulls the reader in and immerses them in the sights, smells, and sounds of the village. The underlying themes of the story will be familiar and relevant to readers of all ages. Alyce’s struggle to find her place in the world and realize her dreams is relatable and admirable. Her struggle to achieve this creates an emotional bond with the reader, who may feel an almost protectiveness over the character. Alyce’s desire to be valued is a trait that most readers will relate to, and one that makes her that much more realistic. The balance of fact and fiction, the vivid and engaging portrayal of Alyce (and all the characters), as well as the detailed medieval imagery create a work of historical fiction that easily captivates readers and has them hoping and dreaming alongside Alyce. Response This book truly captivated me! From the first paragraph to the last, I felt an intense engagement with the character of Brat/Beetle/Alyce. Her character was well developed and reflected a childlike innocence, paired with an immense amount of bravery and determination. Alyce’s character also called to me with her “cheekiness,” (e.g. creating the Devil tracks) and her fierce loyalty to those she cared for. The setting was vivid and memorable, as was the plot of the story. I truly rooted for Alyce to find her place and succeed in her hopes and dreams. The author’s note at the end confirmed the authenticity of the story, as did my research into the author’s background. Cushman is known for her excellent works of historical fiction and this book meets the mark, as well. This is an excellent read with a wonderful balance of history and fiction! Honors Newbery Medal ALA Best Book for Young Adults ALA Notable Book for Children Booklist Editors' Choice Horn Book Fanfare Selection School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year ALA Best Book for Young Adults Hungry Mind Review Book of Distinction Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts Not Just For Children Anymore! Selection (CBC) Parenting Magazine Reading Magic Awards Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Readers Choice Award Short List Parents' Choice Gold Award American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists" New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing ABC Children's Booksellers Choice Award NYPL Books for the Teen Age List Reviews "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." -- Booklist, starred review "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." -- School Library Journal, starred review “Having focused on a well-born young heroine in her Newbery Honor debut novel, Catherine, Called Birdy, Cushman returns to a similar medieval English setting, this time to imagine how the other half lived. The strengths of this new, relatively brief novel match those of its predecessor: 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. The protagonist here first appears asleep in a heap of dung; the "rotting and moiling" of the refuse give forth heat enough to compensate for the stench. Homeless and nameless, she can remember no time when she did not wander from village to village. She is rescued from the dung heap by a sharp-tongued local midwife, who feeds her in exchange for work. Gradually the girl forges an identity for herself and learns some timeless truths.” – Publisher’s Weekly Connections
Other Notable Titles by Karen Cushman
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AuthorMy name is Mrs. Scott and I'm a secondary Media Resource Specialist (librarian) in Texas. This blog was created as part of my graduate coursework at Texas Woman's University. All reviews and opinions are my own.
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