'Like Cushman's 1995 Newbery Honor Book, Catherine, Called Birdy, this novel is about a strong young woman in medieval England who finds her own wa...
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Aug 07, 2007
Jennie
rated it: 
The midwife finds Brat asleep in a dung heap. She says she will work for food, so the midwife takes her on, having her do the housekeeping and herb-gathering and renames Brat, Beetle. Beetle is not allowed to assist when the midwife delivers a baby, but she watches from the windows and learns the midwife’s skills.
One day, she gets to go to the fair to buy things for the midwife. There, she decides that she needs a real name, a proper name, and starts calling herself Alyce. One day, i More...
One day, she gets to go to the fair to buy things for the midwife. There, she decides that she needs a real name, a proper name, and starts calling herself Alyce. One day, i More...
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Apr 27, 2009
Mary JL
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This is another book by Karen Cushman, who wrote "Catherine, Called Birdy".
Like Cushman's first book, this is set in medeival times with the heroine a young girl. In this case, the girl is found sleeping in a dung heap by a midwife and taken on as an apprentice.
It is a short book but very well written and packs a lot of story in its pages. ONe thing--desriptions of childbirth are included--so I would recommend this book for older teens not younger children.
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Like Cushman's first book, this is set in medeival times with the heroine a young girl. In this case, the girl is found sleeping in a dung heap by a midwife and taken on as an apprentice.
It is a short book but very well written and packs a lot of story in its pages. ONe thing--desriptions of childbirth are included--so I would recommend this book for older teens not younger children.
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Feb 23, 2009
Aerin
rated it:
I read Catherine Called Birdy, a Newbery Honor Book, about ten years ago, and while it was interesting it wasn’t quite captivating enough for me to want to read anything else by Karen Cushman. Still, when The Midwife’s Apprentice showed up on Paperback Swap, I figured I’d give it a try.
A Newbery Medal book, The Midwife’s Apprentice tells the story of a girl with no home, no parents, and no name. One frosty night, she find warmth sleeping in a dung heap. The next morning, Jane Shar More...
A Newbery Medal book, The Midwife’s Apprentice tells the story of a girl with no home, no parents, and no name. One frosty night, she find warmth sleeping in a dung heap. The next morning, Jane Shar More...
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Jul 24, 2008
Bobby
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Summary:
Orphaned since as long as she can remember, Beetle becomes employed by the cold village midwife. And while her payment is meager, Beetle eventually gains confidence in herself and her abilities through her work.
Strengths:
While it uses the language of the time, the book is surprisingly accessible -- no doubt helped by its short length (my edition was barely over 100 pages). Despite being from a different era, Beetle's plight still can be relatable; she's someone who ha More...
Orphaned since as long as she can remember, Beetle becomes employed by the cold village midwife. And while her payment is meager, Beetle eventually gains confidence in herself and her abilities through her work.
Strengths:
While it uses the language of the time, the book is surprisingly accessible -- no doubt helped by its short length (my edition was barely over 100 pages). Despite being from a different era, Beetle's plight still can be relatable; she's someone who ha More...
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Oct 17, 2007
Chicklet
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A lot of historical research must have gone into this book, very well done. I'm amazed at both how much and how little people of this era new about pregnancy and childbirth.
While the cover of this book seems to be geared toward children, I would NOT hand this over to a child who does not already know about childbirth and pregnancy in detail. Even then, it would be wise to go over the book when they're done so they don't end up with bizarre and inaccurate ideas about having babies. C More...
While the cover of this book seems to be geared toward children, I would NOT hand this over to a child who does not already know about childbirth and pregnancy in detail. Even then, it would be wise to go over the book when they're done so they don't end up with bizarre and inaccurate ideas about having babies. C More...
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Dec 29, 2008
Needleroozer
rated it:
Put this one in the "spunky girl/not a princess" category.
I read this really fast, in a couple of hours. Well, it's a kid's book after all.
It's about a girl, an orphan, who has nothing and nobody, who makes a life for herself. What I most appreciated about this book is that bad stuff happens, not everyone is kind, it's more like real life than a lot of fakey sweet books intended for kids that I've read in the past. Life is hard for this girl, but she is clever ( More...
I read this really fast, in a couple of hours. Well, it's a kid's book after all.
It's about a girl, an orphan, who has nothing and nobody, who makes a life for herself. What I most appreciated about this book is that bad stuff happens, not everyone is kind, it's more like real life than a lot of fakey sweet books intended for kids that I've read in the past. Life is hard for this girl, but she is clever ( More...
Dec 16, 2011
There is a hungry girl, Brat, wandering without purpose through the village. The Midwife offers work to the urchin, who proves herself bright and willing. So the midwife renames Brat and allows her to become her apprentice. Latter Beetle makes a brake through in her life, she discovers that she has worth, talent and could one day grow up to contribute to society. She helps a poorer woman deliver a baby and gains some recognition around town, which angers the Midwife. Due to her lack of education
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Dec 07, 2011
Lisa
rated it: 
1.Historical Fiction
2.In Medieval England, a young homeless girl is taken in by a midwife. She is treated harshly by the woman but slowly gains skills that others begin to notice. As she learns from the world around her, including an orange cat, she is transformed from a Dung Beetle to an Alyce.
3.A. Characterization B. In the novel, Karen Cushman uses a variety of simple and seemingly insignificant compliments to transform her main character. C. A merchant at the village More...
2.In Medieval England, a young homeless girl is taken in by a midwife. She is treated harshly by the woman but slowly gains skills that others begin to notice. As she learns from the world around her, including an orange cat, she is transformed from a Dung Beetle to an Alyce.
3.A. Characterization B. In the novel, Karen Cushman uses a variety of simple and seemingly insignificant compliments to transform her main character. C. A merchant at the village More...
Dec 07, 2011
Gordon
rated it:
This book is a Newberry Award recipient. “Brat” is a girl who sleeps in a pile of dung. She has no family, friends, or place that she can call home. She does not even have a name to be called at the beginning of the story. She comes across a village and runs into Jane Sharp, the Midwife, of the town. She is starving for food and warmth so Jane Sharp decides to give her some food if she works for it. She becomes known as the “Midwife’s Apprentice” in the town as she goes and assists Jane on
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Aug 01, 2011
Now that school is back in and I have easy access to a library, I decided to pick up some more Newbery winners, and this was first in the pile next to my bed.
I fell in love with this book within two pages. I felt an immediate affection for Brat, the title character. She begins the book as a homeless orphan, forced to live by her wits, with barely enough of anything to survive. She became apprenticed to the midwife, a cold, harsh woman whose main concern was money, simply because the midwife c More...
I fell in love with this book within two pages. I felt an immediate affection for Brat, the title character. She begins the book as a homeless orphan, forced to live by her wits, with barely enough of anything to survive. She became apprenticed to the midwife, a cold, harsh woman whose main concern was money, simply because the midwife c More...
Jul 05, 2011
Stevecrandell
rated it:
This is Cushman’s second warm, fun tale of a girl’s life in Middle Age England, following "Catherine, Called Birdy."
The story opens with a wretched image: the girl, nicknamed Brat, crawls into a dung heap to keep from freezing to death. She survives, only to have the local village boys throw rocks and press manure into her hair. But Brat/Beetle/Alyce is hardworking and resourceful, and destined to win hearts and minds. In this way, the story reads more fluffy and optimisti More...
The story opens with a wretched image: the girl, nicknamed Brat, crawls into a dung heap to keep from freezing to death. She survives, only to have the local village boys throw rocks and press manure into her hair. But Brat/Beetle/Alyce is hardworking and resourceful, and destined to win hearts and minds. In this way, the story reads more fluffy and optimisti More...
Nov 30, 2010
Kathie
rated it:
Brat, Beetle, whatever her name, a girl who is orphaned, dirty, unloved and uncared for finds herself in the employ of the town's midwife. Suddenly with a roof over her head, food in her belly and a friend in the form of a cat, the 12 year old names herself Alyce and learns to deliver babies. She fails, runs away only to return and try again.
Cushman is a master storyteller and loses nothing in this 13th century tale of a young girl about 12 years old who is dirty, unloved, hungry and More...
Cushman is a master storyteller and loses nothing in this 13th century tale of a young girl about 12 years old who is dirty, unloved, hungry and More...
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Oct 27, 2010
Jill
rated it:
It was alright, not spectacular. Actually, it's been a few days since I finished it and I can't remember much about it. That says a lot. I remember liking it and I do appreciate that it was a short, fast read. Can't get enough of those on the Newbery list--just started The Dark Frigate and feel like I'm dragging myself through quick sand!
"Tonight she settled for the warm rotting of a dung heap, where she dreamed of nothing, for she hoped for nothing and expected nothing. It was as More...
"Tonight she settled for the warm rotting of a dung heap, where she dreamed of nothing, for she hoped for nothing and expected nothing. It was as More...
Jul 15, 2010
Rachel
rated it:
This book is about a girl who doesn't have a name or a place to call her own. In the beginning she goes by the name Brat because that is what people called her last. During the winter months she finds warmth in the dung heap and is discovered by the local midwife who calls her Beetle. Beetle soon goes to work with the midwife and becomes her apprentice. Jane, the midwife, doesn't treat Beetle well, but atleast gives her food to eat and shelter overhead. Beetle's best friend is a cat who follows
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Feb 28, 2010
Crystal
rated it:
Children’s Literature
Crystal Rodriguez
Title: The Midwife’s Apprentice Historical Fiction Intermediate
Author: Karen Cushman
Place of Publication: New York, NY
Date: 1995 Pages: 122
After reading this story, I felt like I could do anything! Here, you learn of a girl who has such a low self-esteem, she is unable to see herself being successful or worth anything. Of course, there is nothing farther from the truth. She begins to see her strengths as a midwif More...
Crystal Rodriguez
Title: The Midwife’s Apprentice Historical Fiction Intermediate
Author: Karen Cushman
Place of Publication: New York, NY
Date: 1995 Pages: 122
After reading this story, I felt like I could do anything! Here, you learn of a girl who has such a low self-esteem, she is unable to see herself being successful or worth anything. Of course, there is nothing farther from the truth. She begins to see her strengths as a midwif More...
Jan 26, 2010
James
rated it:
The Midwife's Apprentice is a tale of a young girl who gains jobs,skills,and friends all because of one person, Jane the midwife. Jane is in the story as the mother figure or mentor who teaches Alyce not to give up, keep trying, and how to be like a real girl. This book is not really the type of book I would like to read in the future. Its plot development is poor/boring as it describes hardships living from place to place. But I liked the author's character development much more and is i
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Dec 01, 2009
Carol
rated it:
Grades 4-8
The Midwife’s Apprentice is a different twist on the popular “I learned I had to keep trying to reach my dreams” theme that is so popular in children’s literature. The chronological presentation propels the reader further and further into the tale of a homeless child who goes from helplessness to self-determination.
The language is a bit forced in an attempt to reflect the time period, but it seems to be the author’s attempt to show that they spoke diff More...
The Midwife’s Apprentice is a different twist on the popular “I learned I had to keep trying to reach my dreams” theme that is so popular in children’s literature. The chronological presentation propels the reader further and further into the tale of a homeless child who goes from helplessness to self-determination.
The language is a bit forced in an attempt to reflect the time period, but it seems to be the author’s attempt to show that they spoke diff More...
Sep 27, 2009
Erin
rated it:
When I picked this book up, I was already a big fan of Cushman's previous Newberry nod, Catherine Called Birdy. The Midwife's Apprentice demonstrates the same irreverent sense of humor, and the same type of young female character who is trying to negotiate/find her "place" in medieval English society. Unlike Birdy, however, Alyce has no one else telling her what is expected of her. Instead, her struggles are of a different kind.
An orphan who does not even know her given More...
An orphan who does not even know her given More...
Jul 24, 2009
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
rated it:
The story opens with a young girl with no name, no family, burying herself in a dung heap for warmth. The girl is taken in by a midwife, Jane, who dubs her Beetle for her choice of sleeping quarters. Jane’s decision to take Beetle in is not due to benevolence, however, but greed; Jane sees that Beetle is a hard worker who will lighten her load. Jane gives Beetle all the difficult work of her profession, but she is careful to keep Beetle away from observing Jane during delivery, fearing Beetle wi
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Jul 20, 2009
Lv2readB
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Cushman, K. (1995). The midwife’s apprentice. New York: Clarion Books.
Summary:
Alyce (also known as Beetle and various derogatory nicknames) comes into her own as she grows up in extreme poverty and hunger during medieval England, to realizing her own worth.
Reviews/Awards:
Publisher's Weekly 8/19/1996
Newbery Medal 1/1/1996
School Library Journal 5/1/1995
Booklist 3/15/1995
Kirkus Review 3/15/1995
Publisher's Weekly 2/27/1995
Newbe More...
Summary:
Alyce (also known as Beetle and various derogatory nicknames) comes into her own as she grows up in extreme poverty and hunger during medieval England, to realizing her own worth.
Reviews/Awards:
Publisher's Weekly 8/19/1996
Newbery Medal 1/1/1996
School Library Journal 5/1/1995
Booklist 3/15/1995
Kirkus Review 3/15/1995
Publisher's Weekly 2/27/1995
Newbe More...
Jul 03, 2009
Madeline
rated it:
I really liked Karen Cushman's books as a kid, and I think one of the big reasons for this (aside from the fact that, although two of her books take place in the Middle Ages, neither protagonist is a princess! *gasp*), is that she never sugar-coats the history. Take The Midwife's Apprentice, which is about a homeless, nameless orphan girl who gets a job as...guess. No, go on, guess.
Delivering babies in the Middle Ages was not only life-threatening and painful, it was gross. I remember read More...
Delivering babies in the Middle Ages was not only life-threatening and painful, it was gross. I remember read More...
Mar 24, 2009
Anney
rated it:
This was published after "Catherine, Called Birdy," but I swear it was Cushman's first story. It kicks off from the typical, traditional medieval folk tale... a lost lonely orphan scrounges for food. She gets snapped up by a greedy nasty midwife who needs help.
This "Cinderella" start of it is what causes me to give it four stars. And really, if not for Cushman's other books, which I am latently comparing it against, I'd probably give it a five.
I loved More...
This "Cinderella" start of it is what causes me to give it four stars. And really, if not for Cushman's other books, which I am latently comparing it against, I'd probably give it a five.
I loved More...
Sep 24, 2010
Megan
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jun 22, 2010
Hannah
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Dec 10, 2009
Laura
rated it:
‘Like Cushman’s 1995 Newbery Honor Book, Catherine, Called Birdy, this novel is about a strong young woman in medieval England who finds her own way home. This is a world, like Chaucer’s, that’s . . . dangerous, primitive and raucous. From the first page you’re caught by the spirit of the homeless, nameless waif, somewhere around 12 years old. She gets the village midwife to take her in, befriends a cat, names herself Alyce, and learns something about delivering babies. When she fails, she runs
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Jun 16, 2011
Glynnis
rated it:
I remember LOVING this one - but not as much as "Catherine Called Birdie."
Definitely not as good as CCB, but still a great read. When I first read it, I probably loved that it was full of information and real-life detail about Medieval times. I think my favorite parts (as a grown up) are when Alyce has all kinds of feelings she doesn't understand. For example, any time she flirts with the redhead, Will, and when she cries for for the first time:
"So Alyce learne More...
Definitely not as good as CCB, but still a great read. When I first read it, I probably loved that it was full of information and real-life detail about Medieval times. I think my favorite parts (as a grown up) are when Alyce has all kinds of feelings she doesn't understand. For example, any time she flirts with the redhead, Will, and when she cries for for the first time:
"So Alyce learne More...
Dec 09, 2011
Amy
rated it:
1. Historical Fiction
2. Alyce is a young orphan girl who was living on the streets. She comes to live under the wing of the towns Midwife. A tale of a young girl becoming a person in the world with a purpose.
3. a: One of the greatest of this title is the voice of the young girl, Alyce. She has always been alone and living on the streets. Through the pages of the story you can hear the growth of the child becoming a young confident woman.
b: the most positive aspect of t More...
2. Alyce is a young orphan girl who was living on the streets. She comes to live under the wing of the towns Midwife. A tale of a young girl becoming a person in the world with a purpose.
3. a: One of the greatest of this title is the voice of the young girl, Alyce. She has always been alone and living on the streets. Through the pages of the story you can hear the growth of the child becoming a young confident woman.
b: the most positive aspect of t More...
Sep 10, 2009
Christie
rated it:
I read this book as a child and recently revisited it for a class assignment.
Once again, a story about self-discovery and finding a place and a sense of belonging.
The story reminded me a lot of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman in regard to the main characters both not knowing or possessing a proper name. Both stories use this element to help showcase character growth and development throughout the story, especially in the end, when both characters possess the maturity More...
Once again, a story about self-discovery and finding a place and a sense of belonging.
The story reminded me a lot of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman in regard to the main characters both not knowing or possessing a proper name. Both stories use this element to help showcase character growth and development throughout the story, especially in the end, when both characters possess the maturity More...
Mar 20, 2009
Tammy
rated it:
This book had a thoroughly boring first half, and then a thoroughly engaging second half. Beetle comes to be a really engaging character, but Cushman really takes her time letting you know why you should care about her at all. I do really appreciate the theme, especially in our current society, that a mature life is often spent doing hard things that we don't enjoy so that we can reach our full potential and strengthen our character in a way that giving up, taking the easy path, and being lazy w
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May 28, 2010
Joy
rated it:
Level X (Intermediate-Advanced)
Alyce is a girl found by a midwife and she becomes and apprentice. After delivering a baby successfully after the midwife left her in charge, other people decide to have her instead of the regular midwife.
Written in first person perspective.
1996 Newbery Medal Winner--I have not read the other 4 books that were up for Newberys that year so I cannot tell you if this book truly deserved it but it is a great book. The books it beat More...
Alyce is a girl found by a midwife and she becomes and apprentice. After delivering a baby successfully after the midwife left her in charge, other people decide to have her instead of the regular midwife.
Written in first person perspective.
1996 Newbery Medal Winner--I have not read the other 4 books that were up for Newberys that year so I cannot tell you if this book truly deserved it but it is a great book. The books it beat More...
