The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman
1. Bibliography
Cushman, Karen. The Midwife’s Apprentice. New York: Clarion Books, 1995. ISBN 0547722176
2. Plot Summary
A
nameless child is found in the dung heap where she has gone to keep warm. Because she has sought the dung heap, the
villagers call her “Beetle”, like a dung beetle. The local midwife takes her in
to perform odd jobs like fetching things and mixing things. She slowly starts to pick up some skills and
the villagers start to call her “The Midwife’s Apprentice”. She has a success and thinks she is ready for
a task she cannot achieve. Feeling a
failure, she runs away and goes to work at the inn in a nearby village. The
story is about the young girls struggle to find way, herself and some share of
happiness.
3. Critical Analysis
Readers
will associate with Beetle’s struggle to find her identity. Her journey is familiar to people of all ages
as we strive to find what makes us happy and fulfilled in our lives. However,
Beetle’s plight may not be readily understood by anyone who not been without a
roof over their head or food in their stomach.
The story does not get too much into the detail of the other characters
so the village itself does not come to life. And, the location could just as easily be
colonial America as medieval England with the exception of some of the words of
dialogue used. But, the backwardness of medicine
of the time is very apparent in the midwife’s concoctions and potions.
The
book focuses on the theme of searching for identify and sense of
belonging. This theme is universally
understood and something that people around the world struggle with their whole
lives. It is also a story about resolve
and determination in the middle of hard times.
Beetle choice to be a named person; changing from Beetle to Alyce and
wanted to not run away from her hardships is a universal goal of persistence.
Following the story, the author has an addendum about midwifery. She discusses what midwife’s were through
history, how the managed delivering babies in medieval times and what they do
today.
4. Review Excerpts
1996
Newbery Winner
ALA
Best Book for Young Adults
ALA
Notable Book for Children
From School Library Journal: Starred review. "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."
From Booklist: Starred review. "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."
5. Connections
Use with a social studies unit on homelessness and poverty.
Gather and read other Karen Cushman books such as:
Catherine, Called Birdy. ISBN 0547722184The Ballad of Lucy Whipple. ISBN 054772215X
Gather other Newbery Medal books to read such as:
Barnhill, Kelly. The Girl Who Drank the Moon. ISBN 1616205679From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. ISBN 0689711816
Gather other children’s books about medieval time period such as:
Avi. Crispin: The Cross of Lead. ISBN 0786816589Gidwitz, Adam. The Inquisitor’s Tale. ISBN 0525426167
Use
in a history unit to illustrate life for women in medieval times.
