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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
Quick read. May revisit my rating after thinking it over. Lovely themes presented throughout this middle grade novel. This was definitely a nice light read in between darker books.
I thought it was thought provoking. Here is a girl who thought she was nothing because of her circumstances. She was given an opportunity and was grateful; but I think she was getting mixed signals from the midwife. The midwife (you find out later in the the story) that she wanted the apprentice to learn more and do more, but the midwife never gave that impression. Her triumph over the apprentice when she delivered a difficult baby or when Alyce was called on and she was not, gave the impression that she was jealous of Alyce. I did not think that she wanted her to grow at all until she showed up at the Inn and made the comments she did.
So far really good and the descriptions of the lifestyle are like a painting, as well as accurate. I can see why this won the Newbery.
I can see why it was a newbery. It wasn't my favorite as far as those go, but it was very well written and a very fast read. Definitely worth the time. The development of the main character is rich and believable, and the message (never give up, keep trying even when you fail) is moral and well delivered.
"Tonight she settled for the warm rotting of a dung heap, where she dreamed of nothing, for she hoped for nothing and expected nothing." So begins the story of Brat/Beetle/Alyce, who had no idea how old she was or where so came from but had a will to live and, therefore, a drive to work for food and shelter. She was taken in by the local midwife (to do the grunt work, not because the midwife was especially kind), and from there the reader learns what there was of midwifery in medieval times and a little of the traditions, superstitions, and social interactions of a small village in those times. Alyce gains some insight and maturity over the course of the book. She learns to dream of something and hope for something, in contrast to herself as the Brat/Beetle child of the dung heap at the beginning of the story. (The childbirth scenes are not graphic. They describe the pain of the mothers and the herbs and incantations that are used to ease pain, hasten labor, and stop bleeding. By middle school, children should know something of how birth happens, and, so, I find this book entirely appropriate for middle school on up.)
I started this once before and never intended to not finish it then. I am so glad I have now. This is such a good book. You come to feel so proud of Alyce and cheer her on. Would definitely recommend.
A very quick read - only 110 pages or so. Alyce is a very strong character and the Chaucerian (is that a word?) setting adds a fun contrast to the basic story of an unwanted orphan who educates herself and rises above the status of "Dung Beetle". Lots of words deriving from plants and herbs so also could be a fun book for a kids' reading project.
Blog review: http://balletbookworm.blogspot.com/2010/10/midwifes-apprentice.html
Blog review: http://balletbookworm.blogspot.com/2010/10/midwifes-apprentice.html
The coming of age tale of a young orphan girl set in Medieval England. It gives a sense of the time period (including a bit of the bawdiness) along with insights into the midwife's trade.
It includes scenes of adultery and fornication (although not at all graphic). It also deals with the themes of individual worth, self-esteem, fear, knowledge, education, love, kindness, and life's mission.
A short, quick read.
It includes scenes of adultery and fornication (although not at all graphic). It also deals with the themes of individual worth, self-esteem, fear, knowledge, education, love, kindness, and life's mission.
A short, quick read.
Homeless Alyce, aka Beetle, aka dung heap girl, is taken in by the village midwife. She does many gross, menial tasks for the midwife, learning nothing of the trade, until one day the midwife loses hope over one birth and decides to go help out at another. She tells Alyce to stay behind and watch over the mom. Alyce miraculously births the babe. After this she decides to spy on her mentor to learn all she can about the art, which includes strange rituals and herbal remedies that don't make much sense. When called upon to deliver another baby, Alyce thinks she is prepared but is unable to follow through and has to enlist the help of the real midwife to finish. Feeling useless and dumb, Alyce runs away. It is while she is away that she is able to recognize that she is not useless, nor dumb, but needs to persevere to fulfill what she determines to be her calling in life.
Loved the prose.
JHS
Loved the prose.
JHS
My mom bought this for me when I was a teen and there were many moments in this book in which we couldn't stop laughing. A really fantastic historical fiction choice for YA readers.