THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife’s Apprentice. New York. Harper Trophy.

ISBN# 978-0-06-440630-7

AWARDS:

Winner of the Newbery Medal

ALA Notable Children’s Book

ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults

ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice

School Library Journal Best Book

PLOT SUMMARY:

            The Midwife’s Apprentice revolves around a young girl who has no family, no friends and no one to love her. With very low self-esteem and known only by the name Brat, the story begins with Jane, the village midwife, finding Brat asleep in a dung heap.  The midwife takes her in, calls her Beetle and puts her to work as her apprentice. Just as Beetle is becoming aware that maybe she is someone of worth, something happens, she feels like she has failed and runs away. It is during this time that she comes to realize that she is a person of worth and returns to finish her apprenticeship.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: 

            Set in the Middle Ages, in a time of history before doctors and hospitals, Karen Cushman does an outstanding job of weaving a story with characters readers will identify with. The trials Beetle goes through are very close in nature to trials children of all ages have today. Being bullied and mistreated her whole life, she feels worthless and her self esteem is nonexistent. Much of this is still seen in the neighborhoods and playgrounds today. Others who have been ridiculed and despised will form an instant attachment to Beetle.

             Descriptions and explanations of village life and social classes give the reader an accurate portrayal of the Medieval England setting of the story which Cushman has researched. Her author’s notes at the end of the book are informative and portray just how much research she has done even though the research is not cited.

REVIEWS:

HORN BOOK (starred review)  '. . .A fascinating view of a far distant time.'

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: "With simplicity, wit, and humor, Cushman presents another tale of  Medieval England.”

CONNECTIONS:

            Have a discussion unit on bullying. Compare the feelings Beetle had when being bullied to those children feel today.

            Vocabulary building: This book has many words not used today (such as dung, dung beetle, miller, midwife, etc….). Students can define the words and write what word means the same thing but is used in modern day.

            Other activities and a reader’s guide may also be purchased for this book.

Other books by Karen Cushman set in Medieval England:

            Catherine, Called Birdy