Historical Fiction-Review

The Midwife's Apprentice

By: Karen Cushman

A. Bibliographic Data

Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin.

ISBN: 0-06-440630-X

B. Plot Summary

The Midwife's Apprentice is about a young girl given the name Beetle, but later changes her name to Alyce. Alyce is an orphan with on where to go, when she is given a job to assist a midwife with the town's baby deliveries. She also befriends a cat and one of the village boys. After, facing a humiliating moment Alyce runs away from being a midwife's apprentice and takes a job working at an inn. After much thought and being placed in a situation where Alyce has to use her talents, she realizes how much she misses the art of being a midwifes assistant and returns to her village.

C. Critical Analysis

The Midwife's Apprentice is a book about hope and embracing what talent you have been given. I often found myself relating to the character of Alyce due to the fact that I often second guess myself in my talents and abilities. The setting is set in England and Cushman has conducted research to allow the reader to know and feel what life was like. The dialogue she uses throughout the book is consistent and dead on. Also, the lack of hygiene is also expressed and shown throughout the reading. The Midwife's Apprentice is also a story about courage, perseverance, and breaking free from a social stereotype. The book restores hope to the reader, and makes them realize that if you believe in yourself anything is obtainable.

D. Awards Won

* Newbery Award

*ALA Notable Children's Book

* ALA Best Books for Young Adults

Publishers Weekly Review-" 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."-Publishers Weekly

E. Connections

* Students research and study life during medieval times.

* Students read other books by Karen Cushman

*If possible students visit a museum with medieval artifacts to better understand the setting of the book.