The Midwife's Apprentice
A Newbery Award Winner
HarperCollins · Print & ebook · March 27, 1995
A poor girl in medieval England gains a name, a purpose, and a future in this “delightful”* and beloved Newbery Medal-winning book.
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- Who it’s for
- Medieval hardship and the work of midwifery frame a quietly stirring story of growing confidence.
- Themes
- Finding identity, Growing confidence, Medieval life
- Genres
- Medieval Tales, Growing Up, Girls & Young Women
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For older readers: The Door in the Wall, The Giver, The Merchant's Daughter
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Start with this bookAbout this book
A poor girl in medieval England gains a name, a purpose, and a future in this “delightful”* and beloved Newbery Medal-winning book. Now with a new cover!
Continue reading
* “A truly delightful introduction to a world seldom seen in children’s literature.” —School Library Journal*, starred review * “A fascinating view of a far distant time.” —Horn Book, starred review * “Gripping.” —Kirkus, starred review A 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 short-tempered Jane deliver babies, Brat—who renames herself Alyce—gains knowledge, confidence, and the courage to want something in life for the first time. Introduction by Lois Lowry.
A Hard-Won Future
Medieval hardship and the work of midwifery frame a quietly stirring story of growing confidence.
Come here for
- A glimpse of medieval life through a poor girl's experience
- A story shaped by apprenticeship and the wish for a future
Expect
- Hardship alongside moments of growing confidence
- A sustained narrative centered on work, learning, and self-discovery
Where it sits
| Medieval Tales | 91% |
|---|---|
| Growing Up | 36% |
| Girls & Young Women | 31% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- The Classics
- Orphans & Foster Kids
- Historical Europe
- Medieval Tales
Show all 8 publisher categories
- Homelessness & Poverty
- Self-Esteem & Resilience
- YA Classics
- Coming of Age
- Authors
- Karen Cushman
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- March 27, 1995
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Finding identity · Growing confidence · Medieval life
- Reading lane
- The Classics