REVIEW OF HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK #1: THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE by Karen Cushman

 

The Midwife's Apprentice

 Review by Lucinda Zamora-Wiley

 1. Bibliography:

Cushman, Karen. The Midwife's Apprentice. Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh, New

York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1995.

2. 2. Brief plot summary:

In this novella for students of middle grades, Brat, is our fascinating female protagonist; she’s a young woman of about twelve to thirteen years old, who is homeless, parentless, and friendless. She’s been in this condition—fighting for her survival, roaming from village to village-- for as long as she can remember. The beginning of the novel finds her sleeping among pigs in order to warm herself among their dung in order to not freeze to death. This is where a midwife—whom Brat names Jane Sharp—finds her and brings Brat into her home. Jane changes Brat’s name to “Beetle,” and though Jane’s house is absent of warmth and kindness, Beetle is quick to offer her hard work to Jane in exchange for shelter and a regular meal. Beetle proves to be a loyal and hardworking apprentice to Jane, the village midwife. While Jane never allows Beetle into the room to assist Jane with her midwifery, Beetle is astute enough to hide in the background of Jane’s work, and in this way, Beetle learns so many of Jane’s midwifing practices and secrets. At one point, Beetle is able to help a woman birth a baby that Jane presumed would be stillborn, and this empowers Beetle in ways she never could fathom. As she grows in self-confidence and knowledge, Beetle christens herself anew: Alyce…Alyce because this is the name of someone who is worthy of being loved. Along her journey in this medieval English setting, Alyce saves the life of a young man who used to bully her, and Will becomes a new friend. She also befriends a homeless cat whom she names Purr, and young homeless boy whom she helps to name Edward. While Alyce seems to have found her place in the world, she struggles with self-acceptance and self-worth, and one day, when she fails to help a woman through a difficult birthing, she loses all faith in herself, grabs Purr, and runs away to an inn where she becomes the innkeeper’s assistant for several months. While here, she learns how to read, and more importantly, she reflects on what she desires most in life. Her epiphany reveals to her that she truly wants to work among Jane and be her apprentice. Alyce realizes that learning and failing a part of life…the secret is not to give up. No matter what.

3. Critical analysis with specific literary considerations pertinent to each genre:

For middle grade readers, this novella is enticing for its empowering depiction of Brat/ Beetle/ Alyce as she commences a journey of survival, knowledge, self-confidence, and wisdom…it’s an enticing coming of age story about a young girl who is so human and worthy of admiration because of her tenacity and grit. The themes explored in this work which focus on determination and self-exploration are timeless, and no matter the gender of the reader, they are sure to find satisfaction in the lessons about life explored in The Midwife’s Apprentice. The setting is authentic to medieval England with descriptions of typical occupations of the era—innkeepers, midwives, farmers, cobblers, and more. The patterns of speech are also well-researched and authentic to this historical era, as are Cushman’s midwifing “recipes” for healing tinctures, ointments, and the like. There is an Author’s Note at the end of the book that goes into delicious historical detail about the work of medieval midwives. While short and sweet, this novel does not rush the plot development; rather, the timing is realistic and satisfactory. Cushman makes sure to allow Alyce the opportunity to rise above gender stereotypes, allowing her to glean essential wisdom from Jane, the midwife, who does not make life and learning easy for Alyce. Alyce is further empowered when a kind scholar inspires her to learn to read when she’s an employee at the inn. In short, Alyce is an extraordinary young woman who does not let any obstacle impede her dreams of acquiring what she wants most in the world: an opportunity to be of service, an opportunity to settle into a village that she can call home, and an opportunity to be affirmed for her own unique personhood. The Midwife’s Apprentice is a short, luminous journey alongside Alyce as she learns about whom she wants to be…and as she learns that she has every right to claim her rightful place in this world.

4. Awards won (if any) and review excerpt(s):

·       1996 Newbery Award Winner

·       ALA Notable Book for Children--Middle Readers

·       ALA Best Book for Young Adults

·       Horn Book Fanfare Selection

·       School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year

·       New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

·       New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age List

* School Library Journal writes, "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."

* Booklist writes, "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."

 

* From Kirkus Reviews: “How Brat comes to terms with her failure and returns to Jane's home as a true apprentice is a gripping story about a time, place, and society that 20th-century readers can hardly fathom. Fortunately, Cushman does the fathoming for them, rendering in Brat a character as fully fleshed and real as Katherine Paterson's best, in language that is simple, poetic, and funny. From the rebirth in the dung heap to Brat's renaming herself Alyce after a heady visit to a medieval fair, this is not for fans of historical drama only. It's a rouser for all times.”

5. Connections:

·       Have students research midwifery, as introduced in the author’s note at conclusion of the novel--science teachers can collaborate with English teachers as students research how far midwifery has come in terms of science from the medieval era to the present.

·       Vision Board: Just as Alyce envisioned for herself a bright future as a midwife’s apprentice, students can create a collage of images and words that will inspire and catapult them into the future they imagine for themselves—everything from high school accomplishments, to dream colleges, dream jobs, and beyond!

·       The English teacher/ librarian might challenge students to read additional brilliant writings from Cushman, including Catherine, Called Birdy; The Ballad of Lucy Whipple; and Matilda Bone…readers can make historical connections between the various historical settings of each of these Cushman novels.

·       Finally, students can learn more about the Newbery Award, which Cushman was awarded for The Midwife’s Apprentice. Students can learn more about what qualifies a work of literature for such a distinct honor—then, students can choose an additional novel to read from the lengthy list of Newbery Award winners throughout the many decades. Each student can do independent reading during assigned class SSR (sustained silent reading) time and prepare a book talk based on their selected novel, which they will share aloud with their class.