The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman

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1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife’s Apprentice. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395692296

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This story takes place in a small village in England during the fourteenth century. The main character is a female about twelve or thirteen years of age. She doesn’t have a name but will respond to “Brat.” She has been homeless since her earliest memories, and for that reason, she is accustomed to being dirty, hungry, and unloved. One morning Brat is awakened from her temporary sleeping spot upon a dung heap by a stern woman who resides in a cottage nearby. The woman, a Midwife named Jane, decides to hire Brat as a helper and thus, begins a new chapter in Brat’s life. Although the Midwife is far from friendly and the local boys tease Brat to no end, she slowly begins to enjoy a sense of continuity in her life. She works, has a home, gets to know the villagers, and slowly becomes one of them. Just as things become somewhat comfortable, Brat experiences a setback which causes her to run. Author Karen Cushman tells the poignant story of a young lady’s determination for acceptance and a sense of self.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Midwife’s Apprentice is a beautifully written piece of historical fiction. The descriptions of the characters, clothing, and scenery all consistently reflect the intended fourteenth century England. Readers will find clearly written sentences that are easy to understand but may also find themselves looking up terms like wimple, whiffler, and Walpurgis Night that are words typical of that time period. Also noteworthy are the interesting medicinal practices of the midwife. Jane would use leek and mallow juice to aid in the birthing process as well as crane’s blood and the roots and flowers of birthwort. Karen Cushman successfully writes an historical fiction novel that is entertaining and informative and at the same time interlaced with humor.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
BOOKLIST: “Kids will like this short, fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers that she's not ugly or stupid or alone.”
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: “Cushman writes compellingly, deftly weaving the language of that period with its beliefs.”
KIRKUS: “a gripping story about a time, place, and society that 20th-century readers can hardly fathom.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “a truly delightful introduction to a world seldom seen in children's literature.”
John Newbery Medal, 1996 Winner
Parents' Choice Award, 1995

5. CONNECTIONS
• Other historical fiction novels written by Karen Cushman:
Cushman, Karen. RODZINA. ISBN 0739385739
Cushman, Karen. ALCHEMY AND MEGGY SWANN. ISBN 9780547231846
Cushman, Karen. MATILDA BONE. ISBN 0395881560
Cushman, Karen. THE BALLAD OF LUCY WHIPPLE. ISBN 0395728061
Cushman, Karen. CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. ISBN 0395681863
• The Midwife’s Apprentice could be used to introduce a history unit focusing on the fourteenth century or as a follow up to it.