Historical Fiction Review-THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE

1. Bibliography
Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Harper Trophy. ISBN 006440630X.

2. Plot Summary
The beginning of this story finds a little orphan girl with no name and no home sleeping in a dung heap to keep warm. After the village midwife finds her and allows her the floor to sleep on and a little food in return for her labor, Beetle, as the midwife has named her, begins to find security if not affection in her place as the midwife's apprentice. She begins to learn the midwife's skills, to stand up to village bullies, and even gives herself a name: Alyce. All of her new found self-esteem is deflated, however, when she tries to deliver a baby and fails. In shame, Alyce runs away to a nearby village and works as an inn girl. While she is there, she is befriended by a wise scholar who teaches her to read and asks an interesting question of a "worthless orphan": "And what, inn girl, do you want?" Alyce's thoughtful answer is, "A full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world." One day unexpected visitors at he end put Alyce in the position of having to deliver a baby all by herself. After the success of this task, Alyce finally knows her place in the world and returns to the village and the midwife who is harsh but fair and will teach her the skills she needs to become a midwife.

3. Critical Analysis
This is a story with complex characters that are easy to identify and sympathize with. Alyce's heartbreaking existence where"snug cottages and warm bread and mothers who hugged their babes were beyond her imagining," helps the reader understand her low self-worth and the thought processes behind her actions. The midwife is an intelligent depiction of the dichotomy of human faults and strengths. Although she is harsh and cruel to the child and jealous of her emerging skills, she also sees the value in her and ultimately helps Alyce to know her purpose in life. The plot of the story realistically depicts the lot of an orphan in medieval England and the role of midwives in village life. Cushman describes in detail the superstition that accompanied medicine in general and birthing babies specifically. Cushman includes an Author's Note that further describes the role of midwives during this period of history and how that profession has evolved to accompany the medical field. The description of the village, the brief but thorough portrayals of the village inhabitants, and the dialog of the characters all lend authenticity and richness to the setting. An easily identifiable theme in this book is that of finding your self-worth and purpose in this world. We watch Alyce evolve from a powerless child with no name to one who has special skills, who stands up for herself and even finds the courage to stand up for others, and who is finally sure of her worth and where she belongs. I think that her kindness to the cat, to the village boy she saves from drowning, and to the little orphan boy are very important elements to the story. Not only does it help to show her progression from a child that can't even help herself to one that can not only help herself but help others, but it also has a universal truth to say about planting seeds of kindness that come back to favor you and stresses the fact that even a little orphan girl with nothing has the power to choose to be kind. I think this is a beautiful transformation story that is easy to identify with and is rooted in an interesting and well depicted time period.

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal-"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."

Booklist-"This is a world, like Chaucer's, that's neither sweet nor fair ; it's rough, dangerous, primitive, and raucous. Kids will like this short, fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers that she's not ugly or stupid or alone."

1996 Newberry Award Winner
A 1996 Notable Children's Book (ALA)
A 1996 Best Book for Young Adults (ALA)
New York Public Libary 1995 List of Recommended Books
Booklist "Books for Editors' Choice"
School Libary Journal Best Books of the Year, 1995

5. Connections
*Could accompany a history lesson on the medieval time period
*Could spark further discussion on the roles of midwives throughout history and the superstitions and traditions that accompanied their line of work
*Could spark further discussion of orphans and their plight throughout history
Other historical fiction by Karen Cushman:
Matilda Bone 0440418224
Catherine, Called Birdy 0064405842
The Loud Silence of Francine Green 0375841172
Rodzina 044041993X
The Ballad of Lucy Whipple 0064406849