The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman

Bibliography:

Cushamn, Karen. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Clarion Books, 1995. ISBN 9780395692295

Cushman, Karen. The Midwife's Apprentice. Scholastic, n.d. www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/karen-cushman-interview-transcript/

Plot Summary:

A homeless girl was sleeping in dung to stay warm. A midwife woke her to see if she was alive and ask her to leave the village. Naturally, the bullies of the fourteenth century began to call her dung beetle. Jane called her Beetle. This is not much different from being called brat. The poor girl was begging for food. She was able to convince the midwife to give her food and shelter in exchange for helping her with chores. The girl befriended a stray cat that went everywhere she went. The cat was her only friend. Dung Beetle, who later wanted to be called Alyse, never felt she belonged anywhere. She felt like she did not matter until she learned how to be a midwife. She struggled through learning. She even ran away when it got hard. Later, she came back and finished her quest to be a midwife. She finally felt like she mattered.

Critical Analysis:

This story is set in a small village in England sometime during the fourteenth century. Times were hard and uncivilized. Food, shelter, and clothing were hard to come by. A homeless young girl was keeping herself warm in a pile of dung. This shows she is a true survivor. Many of us would never do that no matter what. This is how she became known as Beetle, Dung Beetle to the bullies that bothered her. Beetle saved a stray cat from being killed by the bullies. They were inseparable from then on. She did not have anyone in the world to take care of her, so she took care of herself. She was not too proud to work hard for her food and shelter. Jane the midwife did not hold back when she took Beetle in, and made her really earn her keep. She was a stern and stubborn woman. Jane was down right mean.

Beetle started to pay attention to what Jane the midwife did while she worked to bring babies into the world. Jane was afraid that Beetle would try to learn to take over the business, so she sent her outside away from the action. One day, Beetle had to help a couple deliver a baby because Jane was preoccupied. Beetle delivered the baby by being kind and soothing, rather than rude and harsh like Jane. Around this time is when Beetle decided she wanted to be called Alyce. I think this is when she gained more confidence and believed she deserved a name.

Another couple decided to request her. However, this time the baby was breach. The conflict is Alyce really did not know how to deliver the baby. This caused a huge complication for Alyce in finding herself. She ran away feeling all alone insecure, and hopeless again.

In the past, the midwives would deliver babies. Doctors, medicine and hospitals were not available during this time. Women learned from other women how to become midwives. It was a necessity. They also learned how to use herbs for pain relief and other unwanted symptoms.

Karen Cushman's humorous and witty novel has expressed how hard it was to live during this time period. People were rough around the edges and/or survivors. They were not keen on social graces. Those that were not rough, had it rough unless they had money. A character like Will Russet was a bit on the rough side like his friends until Alyce saved his life. Jane the Midwife was rough. Jennet the owner of the Inn was a survivor. She watered down the drinks, used whatever animal she could find to put in the stew and over-yeast the bread. A character like Magister Reese was a kind person that taught Alyce how to read. Alyce gained confidence again. Jane the Midwife went to the Inn looking for Alyce. She wanted her back. Alyce realized she had options and actually mattered to some people.  Alyce confidently told Jane she was ready to get back to work. "I know how to try and risk and fail and try again and not give up." She finally learned to never give up. Alyce proved to be such a dynamic character. This is a fun and interesting read.

Karen Cushman stated in a Scholastic interview, "I had done a lot of research on the Middle Ages for Catherine, Called Birdy, so I knew a lot about the time and place. The research I did was specific about childbirth, herbs, and healing."

The text is set in 12 or 15 point Joanna on thick, off white paper with a slight texture giving it a medieval look. Titles in calligraphy. The jacket art sets the stage with an illustration of Alyce dressed in medieval attire standing outside while Jane helps a mother about to give birth. Trina Schart Hyman did a great job of setting the stage for the story with her illustration.



Review Excerpts:

1996 John Newberry Medal

From 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."

From BookList: "Kids will like this short, fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers that she's not ugly or stupid or alone."

From Publishers Weekly: "This is not for fans of historical drama only. It's a rouser for all times."

Connections:

Gather other books by Karen Cushman to read such as:

• Cushman, Karen. Catherine, Called Birdy. ISBN 9780547722184
• Cushman, Karen. Rodzina. ISBN 9780544540293
• Cushman, Karen. Grayling's Song. ISBN 9780544301801
• Cushman, Karen. The Loud Silence of Francine Green. ISBN 9780618504558
• Cushman, Karen. Will Sparrow's Road. ISBN 9780547739625
• Cushman, Karen. Matilda Bone. 97808395881569

Use for an Author's Spotlight. Use for introduction to medieval times.

Gather nonfiction medieval times books to read such as:

• Schlitz, Laura A. Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village. ISBN 9780763615789
• Maynard, Christopher. Days of the Knights: A Tale of Castles and Battles. ISBN 9780789429636
• Aliki. A Medieval Feast. ISBN 9780064460507

Use for medieval times research and projects. Use to compare facts in Karen Cushman's books.

Gather nonfiction books used by Karen Cushman to read such as:

• Geis, Joseph. Life in a Medieval City. ISBN 9780062415189
• Geis Francis. Life in a Medieval Village. ISBN 9780060920463
• Rowland, Beryl. Medieval Woman's Guide to Health: The English Gynecological Handbook. ISBN 0873382439

Use for research and projects. Use to compare facts in Karen Cushman's books.