THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE by Karen Cushman

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Cushman, Karen. 1995. THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE. New York, NY: Harper Trophy. ISBN 9780064406307.

PLOT SUMMARY:
Brat is “unwashed, unnourished, unloved and unlovely” young girl with no home, no family; nothing. She doesn’t know other name than Brat; she doesn’t know her actual age. She has no past and no future until she meets the village’s midwife and becomes her apprentice. While her hunger drives her to work for the sometimes cruel midwife, the girl-who renames herself Alyce- begins to discover more about herself and her own abilities, and gains the courage to want something from life: "A full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world.”


CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Karen Cushman has created a lively, gritty story with an unforgettable female heroine in this compact, dense novel.
Setting the story in pre-1500's England, Cushman has done her research to give an authentic picture of life in a medieval village. The book gives a realistic portrayal of the culture of the country, as seen through the eyes of the protagonist. Accurate, historical details are vividly described without calling too much attention. Cushman’s medieval village is dirty, smelly, and completely realistic, as opposite of the romanticized images of castles and princesses. The dialogue used captures very well the speech patterns used during medieval times.Even more impressive is the fact that her protagonist (in spite of the book’s shortness) is fully-fleshed and believable: Alyce is a plucky, gawky, and endearing heroine, and her story is utterly compelling. We see her transformation from a girl who runs from failure, to a self acknowledged person who learns that she is worthy of other people's respect, care and love.

Children today will recognize and empathize with Alyce's predicaments: feeling unwanted, being different, moving into unfamiliar territory. While they won’t face trials as extreme as the girl’s in the novel, they still must develop self-confidence and determine what their own dreams are. The main theme of the book is Alyce's survival and maturity. Cushman doesn't sugarcoat her struggles: life was hard for such children during those times. Alyce, while imperfect, is shown as a character that grows and begins to build her own identity. The story definitely reflects the morals and attitudes existing at the time. Younger children may be challenged to read this historical fiction novel, but those who enjoy fast-paced, witty, atmospheric, and descriptive stories may enjoy the book.

Cushman successfully manages to bridge the gap between illusion and reality, combining specificity of historical detail with adventure and mystery - a hearty concoction of literary appeal for any young reader.


AWARDS:
ALA Notable Children's Books: 1996
Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Older Readers Category: 1995
Newbery Medal
Parents' Choice Awards - Story Books: 1995
School Library Journal Best Books: 1995
YALSA 100 Best Books (1950-2000)
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults: 1996
Young Reader's Choice Award (Pacific Northwest): Senior

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
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.... in language that is simple, poetic, and funny”.
Publishers Weekly: “The force of the ambience produces more than enough momentum to propel the reader from start to finish in a single happy sitting. “
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. 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.”


CONNECTIONS:
*Introduce children to other books featuring ordinary medieval people with strong personalities:
Alder, Elizabeth. The king's shadow. ISBN: 9780440220114
Avi. Crispin: the cross of lead. ISBN:9780786808281
DeAngeli, Marguerite. The Door in the Wall. ISBN: 038507283X
Cadnum, Michael. The Book of the Lion. ISBN: 9780142300343

* Create a discussions of the middle ages and young girls in medieval England using other books by Karen Cushman…
CATHRINE, CALLED BIRDY. ISBN 0395681863.
MATILDA BONE. ISBN 0440418224.