Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
A sweet coming-of-age book about an abandoned, medieval, tween finding self-worth and purpose. Very quick read.
When I went to pick this one up at the library, I was surprised by how thin and little it was -- barely a hundred pages, and in a large font besides.
When I finished the book, I was even more surprised. I read regularly from this genre and expect good things from Newbery winners. Yup, this one won the Newbery -- but I couldn't figure out why.
The plot was quite simple -- and perhaps it's because Alyce, the main character, is so simple herself. As a forgotten, unloved orphan, she comes into the story almost completely blank, never having known singing or storytelling, never having known what it was like to be clean or be full, never having been loved or even seen others love each other. I found the idea intriguing (maybe the reason behind the Newbery?), but the whole idea was just not explored as deeply as I would have liked (hard to do in 122 pages).
The overarching theme was one I liked: don't give up. It is better to "try and risk and fail and try again" than to give up (p. 88). It's something I wish I could do more of myself. (Was this the reason behind the Newbery? Maybe, but gosh, it's the same message as that one episode of DragonTales, not to mention several episodes of Sesame Street.) (Yup, I've got a three-year-old at home, and we watch lots of PBS.)
The setting was interesting: medieval England. And not medieval England, land of the knights, but medieval England, home of dirty peasants and dung heaps! Very unique -- never read a book in such a setting before -- and as far as I could tell, it seemed rather authentic. (Is this the reason for the Newbery, then?)
Well, it seems that maybe I should give this book more credit than I do. While I was bothered by its brevity, The Midwife's Apprentice raised some pretty interesting issues -- and all in just over a hundred pages, the perfect length for a grade-schooler.
When I finished the book, I was even more surprised. I read regularly from this genre and expect good things from Newbery winners. Yup, this one won the Newbery -- but I couldn't figure out why.
The plot was quite simple -- and perhaps it's because Alyce, the main character, is so simple herself. As a forgotten, unloved orphan, she comes into the story almost completely blank, never having known singing or storytelling, never having known what it was like to be clean or be full, never having been loved or even seen others love each other. I found the idea intriguing (maybe the reason behind the Newbery?), but the whole idea was just not explored as deeply as I would have liked (hard to do in 122 pages).
The overarching theme was one I liked: don't give up. It is better to "try and risk and fail and try again" than to give up (p. 88). It's something I wish I could do more of myself. (Was this the reason behind the Newbery? Maybe, but gosh, it's the same message as that one episode of DragonTales, not to mention several episodes of Sesame Street.) (Yup, I've got a three-year-old at home, and we watch lots of PBS.)
The setting was interesting: medieval England. And not medieval England, land of the knights, but medieval England, home of dirty peasants and dung heaps! Very unique -- never read a book in such a setting before -- and as far as I could tell, it seemed rather authentic. (Is this the reason for the Newbery, then?)
Well, it seems that maybe I should give this book more credit than I do. While I was bothered by its brevity, The Midwife's Apprentice raised some pretty interesting issues -- and all in just over a hundred pages, the perfect length for a grade-schooler.
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sweet book about a girl who starts out with no name, no home and no family or friends who finds a name, a cat, friends and a profession.
Cushman returns to the Middle Ages, this time to recount life for those in the poorest classes. Highly recommended for accuracy and attention to detail, though I didn't find the story as compelling as that of [b:Catherine Called Birdy|24137|Catherine, Called Birdy|Karen Cushman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1167520363s/24137.jpg|25037]
reflective
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
Read it when I was young and loved it, just reread it and enjoyed it just as much! The writing style is immersive and makes the characters believable. No plot to speak of, but that’s not a complaint, just a note. It’s lovely to watch Alice grow into herself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
And continuing on with more Newbery winners, especially the short ones. This is a fine little re-read. I don't know how authentic it is, but it fits with my understanding of the times. And our young midwife's apprentice is a scrappy survivor. Readable. Believable. And with a flavor of some of what it meant to be a midwife.