The Midwife's Apprentice

The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman is the winner of the 1996 Newbery Award and a 1996 Notable Children’s Book.

The Midwife’s Apprentice is historical fiction.  This is a story about a young girl that has no name, no home, and no one to love her.  She eventually decides to call herself Alyce because someone has mistaken her for another Alyce that can read.  This gives her hope.  A midwife has taken her in and for a lot of hard work; Alyce has a roof over her head and food to eat.  She is a kind, compassionate, and caring person.  Alyce rescues an orange cat and names it Purr.  Some of the people in the village treat her kindly and every positive thing that is spoken about her is tucked deep into her heart.   Alyce is called on to help deliver a baby because the mother likes her kind and gentle ways.  It is a difficult birth and the midwife is sent for.  Alyce becomes frightened and runs away.  She finds work in an inn and there she learns to read and write some.  She also learns exactly what the Midwife requires of an apprentice.  Alyce returns to the midwife and states that she will never give up and she will learn and work hard.  I enjoyed the theme of this story which is keep your eyes open, learn and never give up, only fear and no hope will hold you back.

Cushman. (1995). The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.