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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
This book was just OK. It wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't nearly as good as Catherine, Called Birdy. It lacked much of Birdy's humor and the story was a lot simpler and one dimensional. I still enjoyed Cushman's writing style and although some of the humor peeks through every now and again, this was mostly a lesson of "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again." As in the story of Birdy, I enjoyed the Medieval setting, mostly because it reminded me of A Song of Ice and Fire and I'm totally nerdy for that series. Actually, a whole lot of this book reminded me of ASOIAF. GRRM must have read this before he set to writing because Alyce is like the original Arya in both manner and appearance, and there's even a character named John Dark, as opposed to Jon Snow.
I would recommend this book to ASOAIF fans, since it's totally worth it to invest in this 116 page booklet to see some other examples of literature with Medieval settings. I'd also recommend it to those who enjoy children's fiction and want to experience something other than the typical magical action/adventure that seems to be such a popular book genre targeted towards kids nowadays. Mostly, this book is short, it won't take but a couple of hours to read cover to cover and you might learn something in the process.
I would recommend this book to ASOAIF fans, since it's totally worth it to invest in this 116 page booklet to see some other examples of literature with Medieval settings. I'd also recommend it to those who enjoy children's fiction and want to experience something other than the typical magical action/adventure that seems to be such a popular book genre targeted towards kids nowadays. Mostly, this book is short, it won't take but a couple of hours to read cover to cover and you might learn something in the process.
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Midwife’s Apprentice tells the story of an orphaned girl, known only as Brat, trying to make her way alone in medieval England. With no family and no idea who she really is, Brat wanders from village to village, begging or stealing food and sleeping in a trash heap for warmth, until she comes to the attention of a midwife, who agrees to take her on as a servant and possible apprentice. Brat, an intelligent and observant girl, tries to make a home for herself in the village despite the dismissal and occasional abuse of the people around her, and her skills as a midwife and confidence in her own abilities grown. But when a delivery goes wrong, all of Brat’s newfound belief in herself crashes down and she has to decide if she really has what it takes to continue in this field.
I was really surprised with the level of realism in this book. I’d seen it separately categorized as children’s and YA fiction, and the style seemed closer to kids books. The language is fairly simple, the chapters short, and Brat herself is only around 11 or 12. The book clearly aims to teach its readers about the time and place of the story, and there is a lot of detail about Medieval English village life, customs and especially the practice of midwifery in this book. But it is also a surprisingly psychologically realistic book, and in that way it read more as YA than kidlit to me. Cushman doesn’t shy away from the realities of Brat’s life as a child with no one to protect her, or the impact that would have on her sense of self. Brat encounters many adults who want to abuse or take advantage of her, and her lack of self-worth and desperation for someone to care about her are at the heart of the story. Her relationship with the midwife who trains her is especially realistically drawn - this isn’t a heartwarming tale, but one about a girl who learns to take what she can get until she can do better for herself, without expecting anyone else to take care of her. Brat encounters some people who help her out, but just as often she gets by on her own intelligence and determination (the chapter dealing with the village “witch mania,”where Brat gets revenge on all her enemies in the village by framing them for witchcraft is especially clever), and because of that I found the ending a really strong one even though it might not have met the standards for “happy.”
I was really surprised with the level of realism in this book. I’d seen it separately categorized as children’s and YA fiction, and the style seemed closer to kids books. The language is fairly simple, the chapters short, and Brat herself is only around 11 or 12. The book clearly aims to teach its readers about the time and place of the story, and there is a lot of detail about Medieval English village life, customs and especially the practice of midwifery in this book. But it is also a surprisingly psychologically realistic book, and in that way it read more as YA than kidlit to me. Cushman doesn’t shy away from the realities of Brat’s life as a child with no one to protect her, or the impact that would have on her sense of self. Brat encounters many adults who want to abuse or take advantage of her, and her lack of self-worth and desperation for someone to care about her are at the heart of the story. Her relationship with the midwife who trains her is especially realistically drawn - this isn’t a heartwarming tale, but one about a girl who learns to take what she can get until she can do better for herself, without expecting anyone else to take care of her. Brat encounters some people who help her out, but just as often she gets by on her own intelligence and determination (the chapter dealing with the village “witch mania,”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment
The main character is a child who experiences occasional physical abuse and neglect. There are references to sexual abuse, though nothing explicit or involving the main character.
Short but powerful. This book made me want to scoop up every homeless child I could find, and it also made me want to try and fail and try again. Good writing - I liked it.
I picked up this audiobook on a quick stop to the library before a twelve hour drive to Michigan.
As a children's book, I find it to be very dark. Brat/Beetle/Alice has been beaten into the ground by everyone she has ever known. Yet she is a really resilient character, not self-hating but just trying to get by however she can. She begins to doubt herself when her birthing attempts don't go as she plans, mostly because her mentor refuses to allow her to observe births.
I think Jenny Sterlin's voice suited the time period and subject matter. I really enjoy that classical tone in a story because that is what reminds me of my childhood.
As a children's book, I find it to be very dark. Brat/Beetle/Alice has been beaten into the ground by everyone she has ever known. Yet she is a really resilient character, not self-hating but just trying to get by however she can. She begins to doubt herself when her birthing attempts don't go as she plans, mostly because her mentor refuses to allow her to observe births.
I think Jenny Sterlin's voice suited the time period and subject matter. I really enjoy that classical tone in a story because that is what reminds me of my childhood.
I decided to read this book because it won the Newbery medal, so I figured it would be good. The beginning of the book was very interesting and sucked me in right away. It was easy to sympathize with the main character and she was very likable throughout the book. I enjoyed the historic setting of the story. Certain parts of the story are very heartwarming. Overall, it's an okay children's book, but it's certainly not the best Newbery medal book I have ever read.
Beautiful
It was short sweet and simple. I loved it and wish there was more. Maybe there is more but this alone was beautiful.
It was short sweet and simple. I loved it and wish there was more. Maybe there is more but this alone was beautiful.
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Medical trauma
Moderate: Bullying, Deadnaming, Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts
An interesting story of a totally abandoned girl who through her experiences grows in confidence. Life in medieval England provides a colorful backdrop to the main character’s journey to a better life. This is a fairly short book that makes me wonder what the author could have done to fill up more pages. I’d recommend this book to any reader over 12 years old due to the child birthing details.
Read for Adolescent Literature class. Enjoyed it greatly, but not my favorite historical fiction. Good for young readers just getting into historical fiction, though.