Module 4: The Midwife's Apprentice

Another Newbery Medal winner I read for Module 4 was Karen Cushman's The Midwife's Apprentice.

Image credit: http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/hmh/site/hmhbooks/bookdetails?isbn=9780395692295&srch=true

The Midwife's Apprentice is the story of a girl named Brat - homeless and alone, she is taken in by the village midwife.  Over the course of the novel, Brat renames herself Alyce, she learns about hard work, and learns some skill for midwifery.  After a conflict with Jane Sharp, the midwife, she runs away from the village.  In the end, she returns to the village, but she is now confident and self-sufficient.

This is a great novel about the human spirit.  Although Brat feels worthless at the beginning of the novel, once she is properly cared for, she begins to find her inner sense of self and develops a great deal of self-worth.  Although conflicts arise and she runs away for a time, she rises above her circumstances with grace and makes a way for herself in the world.  I thought this novel was very well-written and is an encouraging story to any young person who is struggling with self-worth or loneliness.

Hazel Rochman of Booklist wrote of The Midwife's Apprentice:
"Cushman writes with a sharp simplicity and a pulsing beat. From the first page you're caught by the spirit of the homeless, nameless waif, somewhere around 12 years old, "unwashed, unnourished, unloved, and unlovely," trying to keep warm in a dung heap...Kids will like this short, fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers that she's not ugly or stupid or alone."

This is another novel for young adults that could be utilized in a book club setting.  Discussing the story could lead to opportunities for discussion about how society views the individual versus how an individual feels about their self.  Encourage the book club participants to journal their feelings about Alyce and to make connections between her story and their own - they may choose to share with the group or keep their thoughts to themselves, but I imagine that the discussion and reflection will spark revelations among at least a few of the readers in your group!

References:

Cushman, K.  (1995).  The Midwife’s Apprentice.  New York: Clarion Books.

Rochman, H.  (1995).  Starred Reviews: Books for Youth.  Booklist, 91(14), 1328.