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The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen…
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The Midwife's Apprentice (original 1995; edition 1996)

by Karen Cushman

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4,3921132,623 (3.69)125
In medieval England, a nameless, homeless girl is taken in by a sharp-tempered midwife, and in spite of obstacles and hardship, eventually gains the three things she most wants: a full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world.
Member:Wookies
Title:The Midwife's Apprentice
Authors:Karen Cushman
Info:HarperCollins (1996), Paperback, 128 pages
Collections:Classroom Library
Rating:
Tags:Ellie 4.11.12

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The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman (1995)

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» See also 125 mentions

English (112)  Dutch (1)  All languages (113)
Showing 1-5 of 112 (next | show all)
been reading the Newbery winners of late, three in a row and all with orphaned children. the first one, the child who already lost both her parents lost the person who took her in ( Missing May). the next one, the kid who lost her mom loses her grandmother ( walk two moons) It was nice to have one with no deaths for a change. Interesting setting ( 14th century)with lessons about persistence and self doubt that are still relevant ( )
  cspiwak | Mar 6, 2024 |
Really enjoyable short medieval fiction about a young foundling who finds her place in the world. Delightful in detail, hard work and hope. ( )
  jennybeast | Apr 14, 2022 |
I would recommend this book mainly for grades 5 through junior-high-aged girls. It is accurate historical fiction. Karen Cushman has other great historical fiction books for girls, too. In this story, the midwife Alyce is fairly cruel to Jane, her young apprentice. The women in the village begin to prefer Jane, which makes for an interesting story.
The tiny village knows nothing of germs and too much of superstition. The village midwife is not a kind person, but a midwife is necessary and she is the only choice. At the time of the story, a midwife used common sense and the little training she received in her apprenticeship. College training was not yet available, and things were simply done the way they had always been done. Many mothers and children died in childbirth during the Middle Ages. Until the twentieth century, most women gave birth at home attended by other women. ( )
  WiseOwlFactory | Feb 20, 2022 |
Engaging story of a 13th century homeless waif who winds up living with a midwife and learning the trade. ( )
  fuzzi | Sep 24, 2021 |
Picked this up for the girls -- it's a Newberry medal winner -- and wound up quite enjoying it myself. ( )
  AmphipodGirl | May 23, 2021 |
Showing 1-5 of 112 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (3 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Karen Cushmanprimary authorall editionscalculated
Coleman, CharlotteReadersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
De Vizzi, AlessandraTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Esteban, ÁngelIllustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Hyman, Trina S.Cover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Ibatoulline, BagramCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Sterlin, JennyNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Dedication
For Philip and Dinah,
Alyce's midwives
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When animal droppings and garbage and spoiled straw are piled up in a great heap, the rotting and moiling give forth heat.
Quotations
She chewed on a lock of her hair to help her think. What did people want? Blackberry pie? New shoes? A snug cottage and a bit of land? She thought all that wet afternoon and finally, as she served Magister Reese his cold-beef-and-bread supper, she cleared her throat a time or two and then sofly answered: “I know what I want. A full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world.”
If Beetle had known any prayers, she might have prayed for the cat. If she had known about soft sweet songs, she might have sung to him. If she had known of gentle words and cooing, she would have spoken gently to him. But all she knew was cursing: “Damn you, cat, breathe and live, you flea-bitten sod, or I'll kill you myself.”
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Wikipedia in English (2)

In medieval England, a nameless, homeless girl is taken in by a sharp-tempered midwife, and in spite of obstacles and hardship, eventually gains the three things she most wants: a full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world.

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A homeless girl in Medieval England finds a place when she becomes a midwife's apprentice.
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