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The Midwife's Apprentice
1996 Newbery Medal Winner
From the author of Catherine, Called Birdy comes another spellbinding novel set in medieval England. The girl known only as Brat has no family, no home, and no future until she meets Jane the Midwife and becomes her apprentice. As she helps the sharp-tempered Jane deliver babies, Brat--who renames herself Alyce--gains knowledge, confidence, and the courage to want something from "A full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world." Medieval village life makes a lively backdrop for the funny, poignant story of how Alyce gets what she wants. A concluding note discusses midwifery past and present. A Newbery Medal book.
From the author of Catherine, Called Birdy comes another spellbinding novel set in medieval England. The girl known only as Brat has no family, no home, and no future until she meets Jane the Midwife and becomes her apprentice. As she helps the sharp-tempered Jane deliver babies, Brat--who renames herself Alyce--gains knowledge, confidence, and the courage to want something from "A full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world." Medieval village life makes a lively backdrop for the funny, poignant story of how Alyce gets what she wants. A concluding note discusses midwifery past and present. A Newbery Medal book.
122 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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14.9k people want to read
About the author
Karen Cushman
31 books685 followersKaren Cushman was born in Chicago, Illinois.
She entered Stanford University on a scholarship in 1959 and graduated with degrees in Greek and English. She later earned master’s degrees in human behavior and museum studies.
For eleven years she was an adjunct professor in the Museum Studies Department at John F. Kennedy University before resigning in 1996 to write full-time.
She lives on Vashon Island, Washington with her husband, Philip.
(source: http://karencushman.com/about/bio.html & http://www.arnenixoncenter.org/findin...)
She entered Stanford University on a scholarship in 1959 and graduated with degrees in Greek and English. She later earned master’s degrees in human behavior and museum studies.
For eleven years she was an adjunct professor in the Museum Studies Department at John F. Kennedy University before resigning in 1996 to write full-time.
She lives on Vashon Island, Washington with her husband, Philip.
(source: http://karencushman.com/about/bio.html & http://www.arnenixoncenter.org/findin...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,205 reviews
January 19, 2019
I thought this children's book looked interesting, but it turned out to be crude, abrasive, and creepy. I was especially disappointed in the content, which seemed much too advanced for its intended audience.
This book was found in my library's children's section, which is specifically meant for children under thirteen years of age.
Content: devils and demons, witches, evil, transgenderism, marital affair, a couple of teenagers caught having sex, magic, superstition, child abuse, verbal abuse, profanity, breastfeeding, expletives
I cannot recommend this book to anyone, let alone the audience for which it was written.
This book was found in my library's children's section, which is specifically meant for children under thirteen years of age.
Content: devils and demons, witches, evil, transgenderism, marital affair, a couple of teenagers caught having sex, magic, superstition, child abuse, verbal abuse, profanity, breastfeeding, expletives
I cannot recommend this book to anyone, let alone the audience for which it was written.
February 23, 2009
I read Catherine Called Birdy, a Newbery Honor Book, about ten years ago, and while it was interesting it wasn’t quite captivating enough for me to want to read anything else by Karen Cushman. Still, when The Midwife’s Apprentice showed up on Paperback Swap, I figured I’d give it a try.
A Newbery Medal book, The Midwife’s Apprentice tells the story of a girl with no home, no parents, and no name. One frosty night, she find warmth sleeping in a dung heap. The next morning, Jane Sharp, the village midwife, discovers the girl, who becomes the midwife’s apprentice. The girl works long, and hard, beyond the point of survival to a place where she thinks and learns and ponders and chooses a name for herself. Her only friend is Purr, a cat she rescues from being drowned by the same boys who torment the girl apprentice. Eventually, she is challenged to deliver a baby in the midwife’s absence, and her future begins to both unroll and unravel.
Karen Cushman has graduate degrees in Human Behavior and Msum Studies. She has a long-standing interest in history. She says, "I grew tired of hearing about kings, princes, generals, and presidents. I wanted to know what life was like for ordinary young people in other times."
This book showed off Cushman’s strengths to their full advantage. Her writing is sure-handed, with lots of showing and not too much telling. She fully brings the reader into a medieval village without overusing words and explanations. The story of The Midwife's Apprentice incorporates realism without fatalism, spirit without warrior-heroics, and a truly empowered character whom readers will love.
A Newbery Medal book, The Midwife’s Apprentice tells the story of a girl with no home, no parents, and no name. One frosty night, she find warmth sleeping in a dung heap. The next morning, Jane Sharp, the village midwife, discovers the girl, who becomes the midwife’s apprentice. The girl works long, and hard, beyond the point of survival to a place where she thinks and learns and ponders and chooses a name for herself. Her only friend is Purr, a cat she rescues from being drowned by the same boys who torment the girl apprentice. Eventually, she is challenged to deliver a baby in the midwife’s absence, and her future begins to both unroll and unravel.
Karen Cushman has graduate degrees in Human Behavior and Msum Studies. She has a long-standing interest in history. She says, "I grew tired of hearing about kings, princes, generals, and presidents. I wanted to know what life was like for ordinary young people in other times."
This book showed off Cushman’s strengths to their full advantage. Her writing is sure-handed, with lots of showing and not too much telling. She fully brings the reader into a medieval village without overusing words and explanations. The story of The Midwife's Apprentice incorporates realism without fatalism, spirit without warrior-heroics, and a truly empowered character whom readers will love.
August 8, 2007
The midwife finds Brat asleep in a dung heap. She says she will work for food, so the midwife takes her on, having her do the housekeeping and herb-gathering and renames Brat, Beetle. Beetle is not allowed to assist when the midwife delivers a baby, but she watches from the windows and learns the midwife’s skills.
One day, she gets to go to the fair to buy things for the midwife. There, she decides that she needs a real name, a proper name, and starts calling herself Alyce. One day, in the middle of a difficult birth, the midwife gets called away and leaves Alyce in charge. No one expected the baby to be delivered alive, but Alyce talks the mother through the process and the baby survives.
After that, people start coming to Alyce more than the midwife, but when Alyce needs to call the midwife for help during a difficult birth, she sees herself as a failure and runs away, leaving the life she had built for herself.
This is a great book for an older child about making your place in the world. It's a Newberry winner and Cushman's attention to historical detail is superb. It's a short, little book, but it's meaty and packs a lot of punch.
One day, she gets to go to the fair to buy things for the midwife. There, she decides that she needs a real name, a proper name, and starts calling herself Alyce. One day, in the middle of a difficult birth, the midwife gets called away and leaves Alyce in charge. No one expected the baby to be delivered alive, but Alyce talks the mother through the process and the baby survives.
After that, people start coming to Alyce more than the midwife, but when Alyce needs to call the midwife for help during a difficult birth, she sees herself as a failure and runs away, leaving the life she had built for herself.
This is a great book for an older child about making your place in the world. It's a Newberry winner and Cushman's attention to historical detail is superb. It's a short, little book, but it's meaty and packs a lot of punch.
July 3, 2009
I really liked Karen Cushman's books as a kid, and I think one of the big reasons for this (aside from the fact that, although two of her books take place in the Middle Ages, neither protagonist is a princess! *gasp*), is that she never sugar-coats the history. Take The Midwife's Apprentice, which is about a homeless, nameless orphan girl who gets a job as...guess. No, go on, guess.
Delivering babies in the Middle Ages was not only life-threatening and painful, it was gross. I remember reading this as an impressionable eleven-year-old and deciding that hospitals were pretty much the greatest things ever. And painkillers. And competent doctors who don't rely on the powah of Jesus to help a mother deliver her baby in a time when having a Caesarian guaranteed a slow, painful death. One particularly shocking thing to me was the midwife's method of coaxing a baby out of the womb: she would stick her head between the mother's legs and bellow into the birth canal, "Child, come forth! Christ calls you to the light!"
Did I mention how awesome hospitals are?
Delivering babies in the Middle Ages was not only life-threatening and painful, it was gross. I remember reading this as an impressionable eleven-year-old and deciding that hospitals were pretty much the greatest things ever. And painkillers. And competent doctors who don't rely on the powah of Jesus to help a mother deliver her baby in a time when having a Caesarian guaranteed a slow, painful death. One particularly shocking thing to me was the midwife's method of coaxing a baby out of the womb: she would stick her head between the mother's legs and bellow into the birth canal, "Child, come forth! Christ calls you to the light!"
Did I mention how awesome hospitals are?
December 18, 2022
I love this author so much. She among a few other author are the reason why I started enjoying reading at a very young age. And when I realized that reading isn't dreary like those books we were forced to read in grade school. I wanted to become a Midwife after reading this book my mother whom used to work in the maternity ward and let me know the whole dirty business of childbirth and I quickly retracted. I love it that Cushman is not condescending to her young readers but not overbearing and can really tell a story.
October 17, 2007
A lot of historical research must have gone into this book, very well done. I'm amazed at both how much and how little people of this era new about pregnancy and childbirth.
While the cover of this book seems to be geared toward children, I would NOT hand this over to a child who does not already know about childbirth and pregnancy in detail. Even then, it would be wise to go over the book when they're done so they don't end up with bizarre and inaccurate ideas about having babies. Cushman is accurate in writing in the perspective of a midwife's apprentice in this time period - and in this time period they got plenty of things wrong.
While the cover of this book seems to be geared toward children, I would NOT hand this over to a child who does not already know about childbirth and pregnancy in detail. Even then, it would be wise to go over the book when they're done so they don't end up with bizarre and inaccurate ideas about having babies. Cushman is accurate in writing in the perspective of a midwife's apprentice in this time period - and in this time period they got plenty of things wrong.
October 22, 2010
There are few books that I come across, pick up, and just check out of the library on mere whim. There are even fewer books that I start over the minute I finish them.
The Midwife's Apprentice is one of these precious few.
It has no plot twits, mysteries, sexy vampires, gothic mansions, or pomp or circumstance. Its just a simple coming of age story about one of the sweetest, quietest, and purest characters to ever touch your soul.
Its a short simple story, but its simplicity makes it so strong and powerful. Its characters a rich and believable, its setting is described enough to where we get a general picture but can still imagine the rest for ourselves, and the story is so sweet and clear. I highly recommend it. It makes for great light reading and is an escape from all the heavy gothic and vampire romance out today.
its awesome and so wonderful. read it. Read it now!
The Midwife's Apprentice is one of these precious few.
It has no plot twits, mysteries, sexy vampires, gothic mansions, or pomp or circumstance. Its just a simple coming of age story about one of the sweetest, quietest, and purest characters to ever touch your soul.
Its a short simple story, but its simplicity makes it so strong and powerful. Its characters a rich and believable, its setting is described enough to where we get a general picture but can still imagine the rest for ourselves, and the story is so sweet and clear. I highly recommend it. It makes for great light reading and is an escape from all the heavy gothic and vampire romance out today.
its awesome and so wonderful. read it. Read it now!
July 24, 2008
Summary:
Orphaned since as long as she can remember, Beetle becomes employed by the cold village midwife. And while her payment is meager, Beetle eventually gains confidence in herself and her abilities through her work.
Strengths:
While it uses the language of the time, the book is surprisingly accessible -- no doubt helped by its short length (my edition was barely over 100 pages). Despite being from a different era, Beetle's plight still can be relatable; she's someone who has believed all the nasty and mean things people have said and done to her. And the fact that she eventually overcomes this treatment and finds herself makes her a good heroine and role model for readers.
Orphaned since as long as she can remember, Beetle becomes employed by the cold village midwife. And while her payment is meager, Beetle eventually gains confidence in herself and her abilities through her work.
Strengths:
While it uses the language of the time, the book is surprisingly accessible -- no doubt helped by its short length (my edition was barely over 100 pages). Despite being from a different era, Beetle's plight still can be relatable; she's someone who has believed all the nasty and mean things people have said and done to her. And the fact that she eventually overcomes this treatment and finds herself makes her a good heroine and role model for readers.
July 30, 2022
ساده و روان و قشنگ...
July 10, 2021
Another just ok Newbery winner.
October 29, 2015
I would have given this book a 3.5 star rating if there was one. I felt this had a slow plot to it, but I found that I liked it more as I read on. However, just when I really started to like it, it ended. The ending was not bad, but it definitely just left you there like, "What." Since it was only 117 pages or so, I think this is why. Otherwise it was not bad.
June 21, 2023
A wonderful, entertaining and informative read. Gobsmacking at times. Loved it.
March 25, 2020
I don't know how I remained ignorant of this book's existence for so long—I read Catherine, Called Birdy growing up and felt like I encountered it fairly regularly in bookstores/libraries/other people's reading histories. When I did finally learn of The Midwife's Apprentice through GR, I was shocked that it actually has more ratings than CCB, and won the Newbury (which CCB was "only" nominated for). It kind of feels like I grew up a fan of Jamie Lynn Spears, thinking she was a big star, only to learn that she has some sister named Britney at the ripe old age of 24.
Based on my memories of CCB, I was also expecting a lot more humor from this book than I got. There's certainly wit in the narration, as well as a good number of funny moments, but I remember Birdy being hysterical, and this book clearly wasn't going for that. Still, by the back half I found that the characters had endeared themselves to me despite my doubts. Even though I didn't grow up with this story, it had the same feeling of many of the stories I did grow up with. Something about the style and the way the narrative progressed felt incredibly familiar, which made the experience of reading it oddly comforting. Having recently read a nonfiction book set in the 14th century, it was also nice to be able to slightly expand my perspective of that time period. And now I want to reread Catherine, Called Birdy and see if it's really as funny as I remember it!
Based on my memories of CCB, I was also expecting a lot more humor from this book than I got. There's certainly wit in the narration, as well as a good number of funny moments, but I remember Birdy being hysterical, and this book clearly wasn't going for that. Still, by the back half I found that the characters had endeared themselves to me despite my doubts. Even though I didn't grow up with this story, it had the same feeling of many of the stories I did grow up with. Something about the style and the way the narrative progressed felt incredibly familiar, which made the experience of reading it oddly comforting. Having recently read a nonfiction book set in the 14th century, it was also nice to be able to slightly expand my perspective of that time period. And now I want to reread Catherine, Called Birdy and see if it's really as funny as I remember it!
January 25, 2018
Saw this book listed on the audio list for the public library. Not necessarily a child's book, but closer to a young teen. Or for an old lady like me!
Enjoying it as MY cat is curled up beside me. Interesting perspective of a homeless, poor girl who has never known her roots. She usually goes hungry. Sleeps burrowed into the warmth of a dung heap (if lucky to find one). At this point in the story (Chapter 7) her struggles are continuing, but she has been given some hope-chores for the mid-wife in return for scraps of bread or cheese. Which bless her, she's sharing with a stray cat that is hovering around, and has given her someone to talk to.
Ok. Back to the story...
Good little book. At first I didn't like the way (Alice as she named herself), kept putting herself down by repeatedly saying she was too stupid, but her thinking thankfully changed. By the book's end she had learned so much about herself and was selflessly aiding others. Her strengths and convictions surfaced, and she finally knew what she wanted to do with her life.
Enjoying it as MY cat is curled up beside me. Interesting perspective of a homeless, poor girl who has never known her roots. She usually goes hungry. Sleeps burrowed into the warmth of a dung heap (if lucky to find one). At this point in the story (Chapter 7) her struggles are continuing, but she has been given some hope-chores for the mid-wife in return for scraps of bread or cheese. Which bless her, she's sharing with a stray cat that is hovering around, and has given her someone to talk to.
Ok. Back to the story...
Good little book. At first I didn't like the way (Alice as she named herself), kept putting herself down by repeatedly saying she was too stupid, but her thinking thankfully changed. By the book's end she had learned so much about herself and was selflessly aiding others. Her strengths and convictions surfaced, and she finally knew what she wanted to do with her life.
May 22, 2015
Beautifully told historical fiction for Middle School students. Set in Medieval England, it tells the story of a young girl searching for identity. The story highlights how identity is shaped both by our own understanding of self and the outer world's perception of what we are, how it shifts and grows along with our experiences. The main character's name is a wonderful symbol for this development. First, the young orphan is only known as Brat, later she is called Beetle. In the end, she gives herself a name and thereby chooses an identity for herself - Alyce. Alyce turns into an active creator of identity when she helps a little boy find a name and a place for himself in the world.
The story is also about resilience and learning how to face failure and go on trying. It is about understanding that life is not a fairytale, but that you can actively change it for the better if you are brave enough to stand up for yourself.
The story is also about resilience and learning how to face failure and go on trying. It is about understanding that life is not a fairytale, but that you can actively change it for the better if you are brave enough to stand up for yourself.
July 16, 2012
I picked this up because I was fascinated to read about how midwifery was handled for a juvenile audience. You know how people freak out about kids knowing where babies come from? It was interesting from that perspective, but I ended up really enjoying the book. The protagonist is a homeless, nameless ragamuffin who gets taken in by a village midwife and learns a bit about the work of bringing babies into the world. The confidence that comes from having a place in the world starts to change the girl. She gives herself a name, builds a family of sorts, overcomes some frightening challenges and develops into a capable, independent person. Without being too moralistic, this was a real "can do" story. I enjoyed it so much. I especially loved that the cat was a main character. Sometimes your cat is your only friend! That's real!
November 13, 2013
This is a realistic medieval fiction for young readers 12+ and a well-deserved Newberry Medal winner.
This tale follows the trials and tribulations of a young girl (Beetle, named because as homeless she uses the dung for heat.) in early medieval times. She finds herself apprenticed to the local midwife, knowledge and wisdom alone, and finds her place in the world.
Cushman has researched the subject well. We learn about village life, medicine, feudal structure, and the place of women in that society.
This has few incidents which makes it, perhaps not the best book for much younger kids. But it's an important book worth remembering.
This tale follows the trials and tribulations of a young girl (Beetle, named because as homeless she uses the dung for heat.) in early medieval times. She finds herself apprenticed to the local midwife, knowledge and wisdom alone, and finds her place in the world.
Cushman has researched the subject well. We learn about village life, medicine, feudal structure, and the place of women in that society.
This has few incidents which makes it, perhaps not the best book for much younger kids. But it's an important book worth remembering.
December 12, 2021
Wonderful juvenile/middle grade historical fiction set during the Middle Ages in Britain. Beetle/Alice is an orphan who lives an unprotected life sleeping in dung heaps for warmth and scavaging for food.
Everyone in the village mistreats her and discounts her worth. Beetle/Alice is picked up by the midwife Jane Sharpe who uses her as a servant and daily berates and humiliates her. This coming-of-age story depicts Alice's growth from a self-loathing rag-a-muffin to a person with self-worth, determination and a vision for her future. I listened to the book on audible.com; it was extraordinary!
Everyone in the village mistreats her and discounts her worth. Beetle/Alice is picked up by the midwife Jane Sharpe who uses her as a servant and daily berates and humiliates her. This coming-of-age story depicts Alice's growth from a self-loathing rag-a-muffin to a person with self-worth, determination and a vision for her future. I listened to the book on audible.com; it was extraordinary!
March 29, 2022
Not my usual type of reading material. I found this title on a list of good historical fiction novels. It's a short Medieval tale of an orphan girl finding her place in the village.
Don't let the cute cover fool you. It's a heart wrenching story. But it's told in a pure way, sparking with hope. Books like this make me long to be a librarian so I can match this fictional heroine with a living adolescent who needs her example.
I can imagine sitting on a rug next to a warm fire on a winter night while someone old and wise tells this story from a rocking chair. I would go to bed feeling grateful to be warm, fed, and loved.
Good book. Quick read.
Don't let the cute cover fool you. It's a heart wrenching story. But it's told in a pure way, sparking with hope. Books like this make me long to be a librarian so I can match this fictional heroine with a living adolescent who needs her example.
I can imagine sitting on a rug next to a warm fire on a winter night while someone old and wise tells this story from a rocking chair. I would go to bed feeling grateful to be warm, fed, and loved.
Good book. Quick read.
September 5, 2023
A wonderful story with memorable characters and historical details... and, bonus!, beautiful writing that makes me want to read more by the author.
I read it because I host the Newbery Club, wouldn't have otherwise as I'm not a fan of HF. But Cushman's story about Catherine turned out to be well worth reading, and this does, too.
Highly recommended to all families and other educators. Read this short book with your children!
(If they're under age 9 or so you might possibly want to read it yourself first.)
I read it because I host the Newbery Club, wouldn't have otherwise as I'm not a fan of HF. But Cushman's story about Catherine turned out to be well worth reading, and this does, too.
Highly recommended to all families and other educators. Read this short book with your children!
(If they're under age 9 or so you might possibly want to read it yourself first.)
October 7, 2019
Now I'm going down the Karen Cushman rabbit hole.
I am 52 years old and just about all I can read anymore are middle school books.
Lack of time, attention span, or regressive disorder?
You decide.
This book was good and just what I needed. I love Alyce.
I am 52 years old and just about all I can read anymore are middle school books.
Lack of time, attention span, or regressive disorder?
You decide.
This book was good and just what I needed. I love Alyce.
April 28, 2024
I'm not sure who's the intended audience for this book. I'm guessing this book is for Young Adults. I feel that the story is too grim for this age group, and the values are way too obscure for them to discern. I'm in my mid-30s and I couldn't discern the moral values in this book. Wonderful writing though, so 3 stars solely for this point alone.
December 3, 2015
Basic Plot: A homeless girl in medieval England finds her place in the world and her purpose.
The situation of the poor girl at the beginning of the book about tore my heart out. Homeless children are a particularly hard thing for a parent to bear. This story was simple, but the meaning of it is what is really important. Alyce (the name she chooses for herself, as she had none at the beginning) really has nothing, not even pride, at the beginning of the story. She is abused by everyone around her because of her situation, until the local midwife offers her food in exchange for work. She becomes the midwife's apprentice and endures. Now, as I said, it's the message that's important. The only reason Alyce survives is because she KEEPS TRYING. In spite of her terrible situation she never gives up and she always keeps going. The midwife says she needs someone who "can do what I tell her, take what I give her, who can try and risk and fail and try again and not give up." So much in life depends on sheer, stubborn persistence that this is a vital lesson for anyone to learn. That this book teaches it to young people is valuable.
I highly recommend it for any child of this age struggling with the idea of trying and failing. Failure is how we learn, so it's something we all must experience. It isn't fun, but it's very important. We have to remember that most of the time we can fix our mistakes and keep going, but not if we let ourselves get shut down by our failures.
A vital lesson.
The situation of the poor girl at the beginning of the book about tore my heart out. Homeless children are a particularly hard thing for a parent to bear. This story was simple, but the meaning of it is what is really important. Alyce (the name she chooses for herself, as she had none at the beginning) really has nothing, not even pride, at the beginning of the story. She is abused by everyone around her because of her situation, until the local midwife offers her food in exchange for work. She becomes the midwife's apprentice and endures. Now, as I said, it's the message that's important. The only reason Alyce survives is because she KEEPS TRYING. In spite of her terrible situation she never gives up and she always keeps going. The midwife says she needs someone who "can do what I tell her, take what I give her, who can try and risk and fail and try again and not give up." So much in life depends on sheer, stubborn persistence that this is a vital lesson for anyone to learn. That this book teaches it to young people is valuable.
I highly recommend it for any child of this age struggling with the idea of trying and failing. Failure is how we learn, so it's something we all must experience. It isn't fun, but it's very important. We have to remember that most of the time we can fix our mistakes and keep going, but not if we let ourselves get shut down by our failures.
A vital lesson.
December 12, 2012
I think that The Midwife’s Apprentice would be a book that would be difficult to teach in a middle grades setting. The book covers how children are born and has some rather crude scenes. That being said I think to teach the book would depend on the area. An area that I wouldn’t touch this book would be here in Georgia. In the middle of the Bible belt does not seem like the place to study a book that involves a woman yelling into another women’s vagina at a baby to come out. Considering how most the general consensus for the south to my knowledge is to keep sex a hidden topic just puts bad ideas of parents handling the book the wrong way.
If I was going to teach the book though I would cover the main theme of the book and not go into much details of how children are born. That just seems like a terrible idea. The book would be alright to teach in an English class and I think that it could be used in a history class since it gives examples of how the world was back in the times when the world was still not as complex. It would be a great book for someone who is struggling in a class I think. If they could get the idea in their heads that giving up is not what they should do and instead they should struggle and do their best I think the world would be a lot better for it. Showing the students that taking the easy way out is not always the best idea and that in fact working hard to achieve a goal is something that should be encouraged.
If I was going to teach the book though I would cover the main theme of the book and not go into much details of how children are born. That just seems like a terrible idea. The book would be alright to teach in an English class and I think that it could be used in a history class since it gives examples of how the world was back in the times when the world was still not as complex. It would be a great book for someone who is struggling in a class I think. If they could get the idea in their heads that giving up is not what they should do and instead they should struggle and do their best I think the world would be a lot better for it. Showing the students that taking the easy way out is not always the best idea and that in fact working hard to achieve a goal is something that should be encouraged.
November 2, 2022
Not only well written, but intelligent and well researched, I pity those who can’t appreciate what real life was like for girls in this time period who were not born to the manor. Alyce learned her worth and sought to improve her mind and skills. No, this is not appropriate for children that’s why it’s YA. Adultery? Horrors! That never happens in these modern times! You never see that on tv or in the movies. Breastfeeding? Fewer and fewer mothers take advantage of the nutrition and immunities their children reap and the lack of buying formula, washing bottles and nipples, etc. But I digress. For middle school and above, there are many thoughtful conversations that can be sparked if adults are open to exploring medieval life with their young adults.
January 25, 2009
What I really liked about this book was the clever way in which Beetle learns how to read. I love stories with independent, self-reliant females, who try to carve out their own place in the world. I was also interested in the life of a medieval midwife depicted here. A great book for feisty females of all ages!
May 7, 2020
خیلی مستقیم باید بگم از این کتاب بدم اومد
و اصلا متوجه نمیشم چرا برنده مدال نیوبری شده
نیوبری شبیه به یه زالو میمونه که از غم و بدبختی تغذیه میکنه و اهمیتی هم نداره که چقدر بی منطق باشه
و اصلا متوجه نمیشم چرا برنده مدال نیوبری شده
نیوبری شبیه به یه زالو میمونه که از غم و بدبختی تغذیه میکنه و اهمیتی هم نداره که چقدر بی منطق باشه
January 30, 2017
3 sao
Bản dịch tiếng việt khá cứng và gượng. Nội dung truyện có phần nhạy cảm, công nhận không ngờ có sách thiếu nhi viết về nghề bà mụ luôn :p. Không biết là từ truyện gốc hay do bản dịch mà mình thấy nhân vật chính khá là ngu đần, tính cách cũng không hay cho lắm. Thông điệp của truyện thì khá rõ, đơn giản, dễ hiểu nhưng mình sẽ hơi ngần ngại để giới thiệu cuốn này cho một đứa con nít đọc. Lùng mua cuốn này vì nó đoạt giải newbery mà rốt cuộc lại thấy thất vọng, nó kém hơn nhiều so với những cuốn newbery khác mình từng đọc và mong đợi.
Bản dịch tiếng việt khá cứng và gượng. Nội dung truyện có phần nhạy cảm, công nhận không ngờ có sách thiếu nhi viết về nghề bà mụ luôn :p. Không biết là từ truyện gốc hay do bản dịch mà mình thấy nhân vật chính khá là ngu đần, tính cách cũng không hay cho lắm. Thông điệp của truyện thì khá rõ, đơn giản, dễ hiểu nhưng mình sẽ hơi ngần ngại để giới thiệu cuốn này cho một đứa con nít đọc. Lùng mua cuốn này vì nó đoạt giải newbery mà rốt cuộc lại thấy thất vọng, nó kém hơn nhiều so với những cuốn newbery khác mình từng đọc và mong đợi.
September 25, 2022
Are you kidding me? She saved a boys life and he still turns around and continues being a cruel bully? Yes she's a good person and all but most of the people I couldn't stand in this book and dnf'd at 45 pages. 2.5 ⭐.
TW: child abuse, light swearing, bullying, starvation, and abuse of a cat.
TW: child abuse, light swearing, bullying, starvation, and abuse of a cat.
February 17, 2013
1996 Newbery Medal winner. Nice message about the value of perseverance, but awfully lean overall.
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