The Midwife's Apprentice (Karen Cushman)

Cushman, Karen. The midwife's apprentice. New York: Harper Trophy, 1996.

Summary
    Imagine being homeless, friendless, and nameless. This is the reality for one starving girl in medieval England. Readers will follow her on a journey of self-discovery as she decides to not just live, but live with purpose. Readers will cheer her on as she learns to believe in herself through her adventures as the mid-wife’s apprentice.

Critical Analysis
    With nowhere to go and nowhere to hide the main character is a desolate young girl that immediately brings forth compassion from the reader.  The book unfolds to allow the young girl, dubbed Alyce, to be appreciated for her sharp wit and adventuresome spirit. Readers will find themselves laughing when they discover Alyce fooled the townspeople into believing the devil has walked through town in an effort to get revenge on those who taunt her. The plot is most appropriate for older children and young adults who will be able to follow the plot as Alyce works to become a midwife’s apprentice, flounders at her first big failure, and comes to discover who she is and what she wants from life.
    Coming of age is a common theme, but Cushman has carefully woven Alyce’s story into an intricately constructed setting that sets this book apart. Cushman’s humorous and candid descriptions of the life of a poor young girl will enthrall readers. Rhythmic, old world English will make the story an entertaining read aloud and lesson in the attitudes and beliefs of medieval England. Young adults will want to learn more when they hear about Alyce learning to use cobwebs to stop bleeding and fat to make soap. Cushman’s author notes at the story’s conclusion help readers understand the role of a midwife, both today and in yesteryear.

Awards and Review Excerpts
Newbery Honor Book
Booklist Starred Review- “Cushman writes with a sharp simplicity and a pulsing beat.”
Kirkus Reviews- “simple, poetic, and funny”
Publisher’s Weekly- “supremely colorful and pungent”
School Library Journal- “With simplicity, wit, and humor, Cushman presents another tale of medieval England.”

Connections
Recommend these titles to readers who want to read similar stories by Cushman.
Cushman, Karen. Alchemy and Meggy Swann. New York: Sandpiper, 2010.
Cushman, Karen. Catherine, called Birdy. New York: Clarion Books, 1994.