Title: The Midwife’s Apprentice
Author: Karen Cushman
Publisher: Clarion Books (1995)
What’s it about?
When Jane Sharp, the town’s midwife, first finds Alyce, she is huddled in a dung heap for warmth. Jane takes Alyce in as her apprentice, but Jane is no good Samaritan. She expects Alyce to work in exchange for food and shelter, and makes it clear that Alyce can stay only so long as she proves useful. Alyce’s life is hard, but it is infinitely better to be the midwife’s apprentice than a beggar on the street. With a cat for a best friend, she turns her life around, learning new skills everyday and how to stand up for herself against town bullies. But when one of Alyce’s first solo outings as a midwife goes wrong, she loses her confidence and runs away. Will Alyce learn to believe in herself again?
Why should you read it?
Alyce is a plucky heroine and it’s a treat to see her come into her own over the course of the novel. We cheer for her triumphs and feel for her in times of trouble. Jane Sharp works well as a foil to Alyce: she is delightfully mean and selfish and it’s fun to hate her. But, she does manage to redeem herself by the end.
Cushman does an excellent job of evoking Medieval England through her colorful characters and use of well-researched details. The novel reads quickly and would be of interest to tween girls who enjoy historical fiction.
Recommended for: Ages 9-12
Awards: 1996 Newbery Medal
Also try: Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman; Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan; and Alanna by Tamora Pierce
Related Media:
The Middle Ages Interactive Learning site
Medieval Lives– an 8-part series from comedian Terry Jones debunking popular misconceptions about the Middle Ages.
Episode 1, “The Peasant” is available on YouTube
The Tween Scene 
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