Rating: - The Midwife's Apprentice
I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. I found it good but not quite riveting. I loved the main character and her funny ways, for example sleeping in a dung heap to keep warm. The Midwife finds her there and seeing how she was smart enough to know that a dung heap gave off heat, decides to take her on.
Beetle is what the girl is eventually called, she never had a name before .
The girl starts off as a nobody but eventually becomes a somebody in the small town. She becomes the midwifes apprentice and enjoys her life to an extent. Jane the midwife is rather sharp with her, and the town boys tease her and her cat a lot, yet she doesn't let that get her down. One day though something terrible happens and Beetle who starts calling herself Alyce runs away from the town.
Beetle has a lot to learn about life in a town, being a midwife, and finding who she is and what she wants. Learning these things take her to a fair, a new name, an inn and the places where babies are being born into the world.
Karen Cushman did a good job of writing a satisfying story in this short book. I did not feel that the story was rushed in any places. I liked her word usage and how she softened some of the subjects in the book that might be considered risqué, especially for a younger audience. For example the Midwifes secret love affair with the baker.
All in All it was a good, quick read. It was also fun to break into a different time era then the every day.

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Rating: - Eh...
Well, I certainly admire Beetle's(Alyce) courage, and her ability to cope with hard situations. Otherwise, I really didn't like the book. The writing was mediocre, and a lot of the content just plain inappropriate. I gave this book three stars out of mercy. I don't reccomend this book to anyone, and definitely not elementry kids!!

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Rating: - Cushman Offers More of the Same
I enjoyed Karen Cushman's novel, Catherine, Called Birdy, so I was excited to read a second offering from her. The Midwife's Apprentice was published in 1996 by HarperTrophy. The Flesch-Kincaid grade level is 10.6. At 128 pages, it is a shorter novel and lacks some of the charms of Catherine, Called Birdy. For example, the diary format and the inclusion of the stories of the saint's days were one fascinating aspect of the earlier novel. But still present are Cushman's use of wit and vivid detail to propel one young woman's story. Those who were originally engaged by her use of historical detail and her commentary on women's roles that resonates with modern readers will not be disappointed. Cushman tells her story with a great deal of wit, while maintaining the gritty perspective on medieval life she demonstrated in Catherine, Called Birdy.

Rather than introducing us to a girl of some manner of privilege, Cushman introduces us to Beetle, a nameless orphan who lucks upon a career. As the midwife's apprentice, Beetle encounters some scenes not for the faint of heart, discovers town secrets, and learns her own strength. The contrast between medieval and modern birthing ideas is fascinating, as is the truly prominent role the midwife actually plays in her society. She plays the wise but stern grandmother, the physician, and even the spiritual authority by turns in the novel. As Beetle, or Alyce, trains for this role, she transforms from fearful to capable. She also faces many challenges of becoming a young woman, including dealing with her sexuality and determining what kind of role she wants to play in her relationships.

As Cushman's details sometimes lean more toward entertainment or shock value than historical accuracy, it might be an interesting project for students to research the roles of women in medieval times themselves. Comparing Cushman's ideas to those of historians might broaden students' perspectives and also help them to engage more with historical records. Another positive aspect of the book is that Cushman sheds light on the interest in the history of women, previously often lost or ignored, that has arisen since the 1970s. Together with Cushman's books, young readers could be introduced to some of the impressive work that has been done in this field.

This book may initially attract young adult readers who are interested in the historical fiction genre, but the issues addressed will be relevant for many more. As young people toy with the idea of different career paths, watching the way adults themselves fulfill these roles, they make judgments that ultimately guide their future decisions. The decisions Alyce makes in the end reflect the changes she has undergone. Like Catherine, Alyce is an observant and opinionated young woman; an unlikely role model, but certainly an engaging one.

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Rating: - A journey of self discovery
The Midwife's Apprentice is a historical fiction set in a small English village early in the 14th century. The setting allows the reader to compare the values and ways of the culture in which we live to the ways of the past. The exact time the story takes place isn't really divulged by the author. The setting is shown not necessarily by a date, but more by the speech, dress, and behavior of the characters as well as the ideas contained in the village in which they all reside.

Readers are first introduced to the main character of the book while she is sleeping in an alley; she is unloved, unknown, unnamed, and doesn't even know her own age. Throughout the story and through many trials of will and strength the young girl discovers that even she has a place in society. The girl, Alyce, pairs up with a cat and a midwife who help her to learn what it means to be needed as well as appreciated. Through her journey Alyce learns some hard lessons and slowly develops a since of purpose and self-esteem. She grows into a person who respects herself and others who work hard and are understanding to those who earn it.

The book contains an author's note at the end that helps the reader to become aware of the origin and the history of midwifery. The author also takes the opportunity to discuss some of the herbs and superstitions that midwifes of the past have used to help in the delivery of babies. This helps to show that the information presented in the story is authentic as well as a reflection of the values of the past culture.

The story helps to show young readers that times have changed but our basic needs have remained the same throughout history. The need to belong is strong, and it often holds us together even when the odds are against us.

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Rating: - Inappropriate for elementary aged children
I am glad I read this first before I handed it over to my 8 year old. We're wrapping up a year of homeschooling using Story of the World Book 2 about the Middle Ages and I was excited to find a relatively short novel from that time period.

I read it in a few hours and because I find the Middle Ages fascinating, I enjoyed the book for what it is: historical fiction. Well written and intriguing, the moral of the story is worthwhile: never give up.

Unfortunately, the situations involving fornication, adultery, and dishonest gain are enough to make me NOT recommend this to anyone, particularly a young person.

This book won a Newberry Award. I suppose I was naive enough before reading this book that the highest honor in children's fiction would be given to books that exemplify moral behavior in a way that is appropriate for children. Apparently not.

The Midwife's Apprentice would stand just fine without insinuating immoral sexual behavior. It is suppose to be a children's book, for heaven's sake.

So for me, that's the rub. I will be returning this post haste to the library.