BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cushman, Karen. 1995. THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN 006440630x.
PLOT SUMMARY
Brat, Beetle, whatever her name, a girl who is orphaned, dirty, unloved and uncared for finds herself in the employ of the town's midwife. Suddenly with a roof over her head, food in her belly and a friend in the form of a cat, the 12 year old names herself Alyce and learns to deliver babies. She fails, runs away only to return and try again.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Cushman is a master storyteller and loses nothing in this 13th century tale of a young girl about 12 years old who is dirty, unloved, hungry and does not know her name. She has been called Brat, finds herself in the dung heap of a midwife, then renamed Beetle. The midwife, Jane Sharp, takes her in not so much as an apprentice, but more for the service she can get from the girl. Beetle renames herself Alyce and befriends the town cat as she can relate to his plight; they are both bullied and picked on. Alyce accompanies Jane on her duties and when called upon to deliver, she fails. She runs away, but then with pluck and fortitude decides to go back and try again to make her own place in the world. A lovely book that may help children find the courage to stand up for themselves and find their own independence as Alyce did. Introduces children to birth that is not often found in literature targeted for the young reader.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
1996 Newbery Medal Winner
Booklist: "Kids will like this short, fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers that she's not ugly or stupid or alone."
School Library Journal: "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."
Connections:
Have students hold a mock trial of Alyce with this lesson plan:
http://eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Language_Arts/Literature/Childrens_Literature/CHL0219.html
Another book by the same author:
Cushman, Karen. CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. ISBN0064405842
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