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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
read aloud with 9-yr-old. We liked it. Interesting idea to try to recreate the lives of ordinary people in the times of knights and queens and kings. It gives a sad sense of the precarious lives of children then, but somehow it didn't end up being depressing. Good female character.
I really enjoyed this story. It is from a time period I can barely imagine and although it is a rather bleak time period, the story is really hopeful.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Yes
This was a fun and interesting read. I picked it up from the newbery section of the children's side of the library. I loved that I got a couple of hours of entertainment from it and I didn't have to put my life on hold to read it. Great read during kids' naps or after bedtime.
How do you know when a piece of historical fiction is written really, really well? When the thought of living during that time makes you run for the shower! [a:Karen Cushman|9640|Karen Cushman|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1234137529p2/9640.jpg] has a gift for portraying time periods accurately, and the setting for [b:The Midwife's Apprentice|15595|The Midwife's Apprentice|Karen Cushman|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1305983479s/15595.jpg|168119] is no exception. Beetle, our protagonist, is first described as sleeping in a dung pile, but is soon discovered by Jane, the curmudgeonly midwife who sets her to work as her apprentice. As Beetle becomes more knowlegeable about her trade, and even chooses her own name, she must learn how to make her own place in the world. Very well written, with vivid (no-holds-barred) description, this book pulls you back to the fourteenth century and at the end, while you'll be sad to see Beetle go, you'll be even more glad for running water and refrigerators!
I think I was given this book as a gift not too long after it was published, maybe when I was 6 or so. My mom is a midwife, and another midwife friend of hers is who gifted it to me...I LOVED this book as a child. DEVOURED it. Again and again and again. It was amazing to read about another young girl in such a very different time period and place, and yet assisting and learning from someone like my own mom! As a kid, this was just the coolest thing. Now I want to find my old copy...
I prefer this one to the author's first book- Catherine Called Birdy. The heroine was much more likable and I believe grew more as a person. The somewhat factual tale of midwifery in medieval England was interesting and had a good message to boot (even for a grown woman). It was much about believing in your worth and not fearing a task because you have failed at it before. I, of course, loved her cat companion. I really disliked the midwife herself (as I'm sure the reader is supposed to) and I wish Alyce would have "shown her up" better :). In such a short middle grades book, Cushman had me emotionally attached to her characters, rooting for Alyce, wanting to tousle Edward's hair, and give Purr a good scratch under his chin.
I enjoined the authors first book so much, I've read it many times. The Midwife's Apprentice is set in roughly the same time. The tone of the books is different, as is appropriate since the first heroine was a knights daughter and the Brat/Beetle is a foundling. An easy read, character development centered book. I preferred Catherine, Called Birdy but the Midwife's Apprentice had a more difficult journey.
This was a quick, easy read and pretty enjoyable. Honestly, while reading it I was mostly struck by what a good story it would be if it were fleshed out into the size of a real book.
