Cushman, K. (1995). The midwife's apprentice. New York , NY
1996 Newbery Award winner, this story is set during the middle ages. A girl is taken in to work by a midwife after being found sleeping in a dung heap. As payment, she is fed little to eat. She is constantly teased and bullied by boys in the village as well as mistreated by the midwife. In the rising action, we see Beetle, who we later come to know as Alyce, gain confidence as she searches for her place in the world. Her self-confidence is short lived as she takes what she has learned from the midwife and attempts to deliver a child. She fails and once again finds herself unsure of her skills and capabilities.
Through out, the theme of self-doubt can be seen. Even up until the end of the story, Alyce thinks she knows what she wants in life and decides to go back to Jane the midwife. After being refused entry, as her last attempt, she finds the confidence within and demands to be let in.
This story was not at all what I expected. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end.
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