1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cushman, Karen. 1995. THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE. New York,
NY: Clarion Books. ISBN: 0395692296
2. PLOT SUMMARY
This story takes place in the 14th century in a small village in England. The main character is Beetle, later known as Alyce. Beetle is a homeless girl that moves around England in search of a warm place to sleep and some food to eat. One day Beetle finds herself in the barn of a midwife named Jane. Jane reluctantly takes Beetle in as an apprentice to help with her midwife duties. Throughout Beetle’s apprenticeship, she becomes very knowledgeable about what midwifes do and is even given an opportunity to deliver a baby for Jane. When another opportunity arrives for Beetle to deliver a baby, she is unsuccessful and ends up running away filled with shame.
When Beetle runs away she finds an inn that is looking for
good help. While working at the inn she meets a successful writer named
Magister Reese who teaches her how to read. When an inn customer shows up about
to deliver a baby, Beetle is forced to help her deliver the baby. After delivering
the baby Beetle figures out that she wants to be a midwife, she decides to
return back to the village to see if Jane will let her continue as her
apprentice. Will Jane let Beetle/Alyce back into her home?
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Cushman did a great job creating a story that takes place in England during the 14th century. The language that was used fits the time period and her words created an authentic picture of what it was like long ago. All of the characters in the story were very strong and had a lot of details. When a new character was introduced, Cushman made sure to describe the characters looks and demeanor which helps the reader understand their feelings and visualize what’s going on. The characters fit in with the time period from their clothing to their mannerisms. For example, when describing Jane the midwife Cushman said “an important looking woman, with a sharp nose and a sharp glance and a wimple starched into sharp pleats.”
There were some historical references made such as the
inclusion of Magister Reese, the Gobnet Under Green Carnival and even the very
inn that Beetle/Alyce worked at is a real place in England. The language used
throughout is very typical of the language used in the 14th century.
Some of the dialogue used was hard to understand since we do not currently use these
terms in our everyday language. Because of this, the reader must use context clues
to figure out what they are talking about.
The main purpose of this story to tell a story of the change
a little girl goes through starting from a poor homeless girl to a girl who has
goals, ambition and a full belly. Cushman also provides an author’s note that
talks about what a midwife is and how it has changed throughout the years. This
story had a slow start, but towards the middle of the story it started to pick
up and become more interesting. I would recommend this book to readers in
grades 5 and up due to the vocabulary and content of the story.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
John Newberry Medal
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW: 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."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL 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, 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.
5. CONNECTIONS
*This would be a great book to use for kiddos in grades 5
and up. Karen Cushman provides a discussion guide on her website, http://www.karencushman.com/pdfs/DG_midwife.pdf
*For more books by Karen Cushman, be sure to check out the
following:
Cushman,
Karen. ALCHEMY AND MEGGY SWAN. ISBN: 9780547577128
Cushman, Karen.
THE LOUD SILENCE OF FRANCINE GREEN. ISBN:97806185 4558
Cushman,
Karen. THE BALLAD OF LUCY WHIPPLE. ISBN: 9780547722153
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