The Midwife's Apprentice

Written by Karen Cushman

A homeless girl finds purpose as a midwife's apprentice in medieval England.

5.0/7 Bookroo expert·3.7/5 Goodreads · 43,760 ratings

122 pages· 21,623 words· Est. 2.5 hour read· 1150L

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Bookroo's summary

In medieval England, a homeless girl known as Brat becomes the apprentice to a sharp-tempered midwife, Jane. Renaming herself Alyce, she learns the art of midwifery, gaining confidence and courage. As she navigates village life, Alyce yearns for a full belly, a contented heart, and a place in the world. Will she find her true calling and secure her place in the community, or will her dreams remain out of reach? Discover Alyce's journey of self-discovery and determination in this poignant tale of hope and resilience.

From the publisher

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 life: “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.

Awards

Newbery Medal (1996)

At a glance

Format
Pages: 122
Words: 21,623
Reading age: 10–12
Audience: Middle Grade
Lexile: 1150L

Themes & topics

Books about apprentices Books about girls and women Books about self-esteem and self-reliance Books about social themes Books about self-esteem

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.0

out of 7

5.0

“I love books that transport me to a different time and place, and this book is one of those--I remember sticking my bookmark between the pages and sitting back, imagining what it would have been like to live in medieval England. It's a great book for later elementary school and middle school aged readers!”

Lauren Hancock

Trusted reviewer

The author