Genre: Historical Fiction
Author: Karen Cushman
Awards: Newbery (1996)
Notable Children's Books Award (1996)
Age Group: 9 to 12-year-olds
Teacher Evaluation: I am not sure that I would use this book in class nor have it in my classroom library. The language in the book could be confusing to some students since it is based in medieval times. I would keep this book in mind though for student's who show an interest in medicine, medieval times, or what a midwife is.
Summary: This book takes place during medieval times. The story is about a young girl who through the book goes by several names such as Brat, Beetle, and Alyce. Alyce was a homeless child begging for food and being tormented by the village people until she met Jane the Midwife. The midwife would feed Alyce if she worked for her. Although the midwife fed Alyce she did not necessarily treat her right. Along with the boys from the village, the midwife would often talk down to Alyce. Alyce didn't pay attention to the words that people would call her or say to her, she would work and simultaneously learn from working with the midwife. One day, Alyce saves a boy who is typically mean to her from drowning. The boy begins to treat Alyce slightly better, and one-day Alyce helps the boy's cow deliver its twins. Alyce felt great knowing that she was able to deliver the cow's babies because the midwife doesn't let her watch as she helps mothers through labor. As the book continues, Alyce finally delivers a baby on her own. When the midwife gives up on helping a mother, she leaves to deliver another baby and get more money. The midwife tells Alyce to stay with the mother but do nothing, her baby will die unborn and the midwife will still collect money. But while the midwife is gone Alyce begins to help the mother like she helped the cow and with the knowledge she has from Jane and delivers her baby. Following this event people in the village begin to as for Alyce's advice and one day a boy comes asking for Alyce to help his mother through her labor. The boy asking for Alyce angers the midwife and when Alyce arrives at the family's cottage she feels she can't deliver the baby on her own. Alyce tells the boy to go get the midwife, the midwife comes to deliver the baby with ease. Alyce leaves feeling like a failure and instead of returning to the midwife's cottage she walks away from the village. Tired from walking and hungry, Alyce goes into an inn where she begins to work. The owners of the inn offer Alyce a room for her hard work and although Alyce has a place to live and food she is not happy at the inn. While at the inn Alyce begins to watch a very intelligent man but aware that Alyce will not speak to him, he speaks to her cat. When the man and Alyce finally speak he tells Alyce she is not dumb. Visitors from the village appear at the inn, one of these visitors being Jane. Jane reveals that Alyce was not a failure but a quitter and she doesn't want an apprentice who is a quitter. The story ends with Alyce delivering a baby at the inn then returning to Jane. Jane first sends Alyce away but Alyce does not give up and instead tells Jane that she is her apprentice.
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