The Midwife's Apprentice

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 Med......more

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 mi......more

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......more

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 k......more

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 access......more