Newbery Books discussion

I liked this book, but it didn't wow me. I enjoyed the humor and self-discovery in one tiny little package . . .

I read this book for the first time a few years ago when I got serious about collecting Newbery's and I wasn't sure I wanted to read it again-even though it's short. I kept expecting Brat to be boxed about the ears. Then I remembered that was the servant girl in Despereaux. Brat/Beetle/Alyce had other challenges in the dangerous primitive time in which she lived. She dealt with them admirably, slowly gaining faith in her own abilities and even helping others along the way.

In 1995 when this book was published I had already had three home births with a midwife. A year or so later, I happened to be shopping at Barnes n Noble with my mom and she told me to pick out a book for my birthday. The title caught my attention and my mom was immediately interested too because she loves to read books that take place during medieval times. So, it was decided that "The Midwife's Apprentice" would be my birthday present.

My perspective, is probably quite different from most people. When I read how the women in labor were treated, it made me feel very blessed to have given birth, in modern times with a skilled (and gentle) midwife.

I love reading about how Alyce discovers who she is. I think there is lot a person can learn from Alyce's experiences. One of those things is that we can learn from people that are not easy to get along with. Alyce became Jane's assistant at first out of necessity, but later she went back to her by choice because she knew that even though life would be difficult, Jane could teach her the skills that she needed to make a life for herself. Sometimes the right road isn't the smoothest. The paragraph on page 114 says it best: "She had much still to learn, and she knew a place where she could learn it, cold and difficult and unwelcoming as that place might be. That was her place in this world for right now, and though her belly would likely not be full, her heart was content."

I think that Karen Cushman is a talented author, I've read several of her books and I like them all.

I also like Karen Cushman's books. They are not long, but they contain gems. I like Cushman's strong female characters and the lessons they learn (like the one you mention, Annette). I also appreciate her humor and her evocation of historical settings. I agree that it was neat to see Alyce's process of self discovery and the gradual growth of her self esteem and confidence. She started out so low. It's shocking to think that she was so neglected that she didn't even have a name! No one cared if she lived or died and the village kids were so cruel. It's inspiring that Alyce was able to better herself and also help the little boy. That sort of social movement wasn't usually possible in the Middle Ages. It makes me thankful for my freedoms and opportunities and also for modern medicine. Medieval medicine makes me shudder!

I love reading your guys' reviews, I ((usually)) end up liking a book more after seeing what fellow reviewers think.