THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE by Karen Cushman
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Cushman, K. 1995. THE
MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE. New York,
NY: Harper Trophy
ISBN: 0-06-440630-X
2. PLOT SUMMARY:
This book follows a young girl, in early
medieval times, who is all alone in the world. Without realizing it, she
becomes an apprentice to the local midwife. Soon she begins to learn the tricks
of the trade. She is able to successfully deliver two babies, but fails to deliver
a third. Her confidence is crushed, but she finds herself relying on her
mentor, the midwife, again. Her life is a hard one, but she is finally finding
her place in the world.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Cushman
has created a short tale that allows the reader to be drawn into the story
without being overwhelmed by historical details or descriptions. She is
accurate with her portrayals, balancing the fact and fiction aspects while
refraining from bogging the reader down with too many historical facts.
Readers
are able to identify with the downtrodden protagonist of the story. They can
relate to her misfortunes and the hard work she puts forth to overcome her
situation. They empathize with her when things do not go her way, all the while
cheering when they do. The story is told through the eyes of the main character
which helps to maintain a youthful sense.
The
hardships of this era are not sugar coated, but made very clear from the beginning.
The protagonist is discovered sleeping
in a mound of dung in an attempt to stay warm during the cold night. The
language is simple enough to understand, and the vivid details may even lead a
few readers to better appreciate their daily access to running water and a
toothbrush! The vivid description of life during this time period captures the
sufferings of medieval England’s occupants.
Persistence
and personal growth are two dominant themes found in this story that remain
relevant to today’s readers. The main character never gives up on her
situation. No matter what the circumstances are, she is able to pick herself up and continue on. Her evolution from a
no-name nobody to a midwife’s apprentice can be seen as a parallel to the
reader’s life.
The
novel is sure to avoid offending readers. The author has taken careful consideration
to sidestep offensive stereotypes.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
·
1996
Newbery Award Winner
·
School Library Journal raves "With simplicity, wit, and
humor, Cushman presents another tale of medieval England. Here readers follow
the satisfying, literal and figurative journey of a homeless, nameless child
called Brat. . . . Earthy humor, the foibles of humans both high and low, and a
fascinating mix of superstition and genuinely helpful herbal remedies attached
to childbirth make this a truly delightful introduction to a world seldom seen
in children’s literature."
·
Booklist states that "This novel is about a strong, young
woman in medieval England who finds her own way home. . . . Kids will be caught
up in this short, fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers that she’s
not ugly or stupid or alone."
5. CONNECTIONS
·
Gather
other books written by Karen
Cushman
for an author study. Note common themes and settings in the books.
o Cushman, K. Catherine, Called Birdy. ISBN-
0780748433
o Cushman, K. Will Sparrow's Road. ISBN- 0547739621
o Cushman, K. Matilda Bone. ISBN- 0440418224
·
Visit Karen Cushman’s website at
http://www.karencushman.com/
·
Have the students research life in England during the Middle Ages.
From the story, we gather that it was a tough time to grow up. Have the
children create a short story that takes place during this time period. What
would their profession be? What luxuries would they have to abandon compared to
the life they live today?
·
Have the students compare and contrast their life to the life of
Brat. Are there any similarities? What are the differences?
·
Has there ever been a time you felt like you had failed at
something and HAD to admit that you were wrong? Have the students compose a
piece that parallels that roller coaster of emotions the young protagonist
feels.
CHAINS by Laurie Halse Anderson
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Anderson,
L. 2008. CHAINS. New York, New York: Atheneum Books For Young Readers.
ISBN:
978-1-4169-0586-0 (pbk)
2. PLOT
SUMMARY:
The Revolutionary War is just getting started,
but thirteen year old slave Isabel is fighting a war of her very own. She and her sister, Ruth, were promised
freedom upon the death of their owner. Instead, they were wickedly sold to a
cruel couple up north. Isabel’s sister is soon sold, and she is forced to do
whatever it takes to gain her freedom and find her sister again.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Anderson has
accurately portrayed the hardships of life as a slave in her novel CHAINS. The
reader empathies with Isabel, the protagonist, and abhors the unfair conditions
in which she lives. At every turn, Isabel seems to encounter one horrific tragedy
after another. She bravely continues on though with the hope that she will one
day gain freedom for both her sister and herself. The fact that this tale is
told from Isabel’s youthful perspective encourages a connection between the
reader and the main character. The plot is realistic for the time period without
overwhelming the reader with endless details. The language is young adult
friendly and simple enough to understand without sacrificing the authenticity
of the events described.
The setting and problems
of the characters are vividly described in such a manner that entrances the
reader. Anderson has included the minutest of detail in her descriptions which
allows the reader to believe the events of the story could possibly have taken
place.
The subject of good
vs evil is clearly present with in the pages of this novel, but the most significant
themes of bravery and freedom are timeless desires shared by all. Isabel’s perseverance through the many
hardships she faces makes her a strong heroin and virtuous role model for
readers. These widely desired themes speak to readers universally.
Though the subject of
slavery can be a tender subject, Anderson has worked to avoid any offensive
stereotyping. She has captured the essence of the time through the descriptions
and dialogue, but has managed to do so in a way that avoids bias. Her ability
to capture the good and evil of each ethnicity avoids any hurt feeling or
negativity.
4. REVIEW
EXCERPT(S)
·
Scott O’Dell Award for Historical
Fiction
·
National Book Award nominee
·
School
Library Journal calls CHAINS “Well researched and
affecting in its presentation, the story offers readers a fresh look at the
conflict and struggle of a developing nation”
·
Booklist says “Anderson
explores elemental themes of power, freedom, and the sources of human strength
in this searing, fascinating story.”
5. CONNECTIONS
·
Read the sequel
to CHAINS.
o
Anderson,
L. Forge. ISBN- 1416961453
·
Set up a Skype visit with Laurie Halse Anderson. Visit her official website for more
details… http://madwomanintheforest.com/
·
Isabel risks her life for freedom,
doing everything in her power to gain freedom for herself and her sister. Have
the children compose a piece detailing what freedom means to them.
·
Have the students compare and contrast their life to the lives of slaves
Isabel and Ruth. Are there any similarities?
What are the differences?
·
Lead a class discussion with topics
such as
o
Life as a slave in the 1700’s
o
What makes Isabel such a good spy?
o
Discuss the symbolism of the seeds
Isabel brings with her to the Locktons.
o
Discuss the many references to the
words “chains” in this novel.
o
Why is Lady Seymour able to show Isabel kindness
when Madam Lockton cannot?
THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE by Jacqueline Kelly
5.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Kelly, J. 2009. THE
EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE. New York, NY: Square Fish
ISBN: 978-0-312-65930-1
2. PLOT SUMMARY:
Calpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old and a very curious young
lady. During the incredibly hot summer of 1899, she teams up with her
grandfather, and they explore the world around them. During this remarkable
year of her life, “Callie Vee” not only bonds with her grandfather, but
discovers new relationships with her six brothers, and works to figure out what
it means to be a girls at the turn of the century.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Kelly
has created a historical fiction piece which speaks to the reader of today. Her
vivid descriptions and imagery recreates for the reader the excitement associated
with the turn of the century and the feelings of confusion a small girl coming
into her own might have experienced. The reader will naturally connect with the
spunky protagonist, Calpurnia, and desperately want for her to find her place
in the world.
The
struggles associated with womanhood during this time period are accurately and
inoffensively portrayed. They are not sugarcoated, but described in a way that
allows the reader to empathize with young Calpurnia. We can see the effect that
the standards of this time have on a very opinionated and impressionable young
child and how she comes to terms with the inevitable.
Though Kelly has taken some liberties
with historical accuracies and botanist related accuracies, she apologies and
admits to doing so in the back of the book. She stayed true in her facts for
the bulk of the book, but did take some liberties that might make the reader
question a thing or two.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
·
Newbery
Honor Award Winner
·
The New Yorker raves
that “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is the most delightful historical
novel for tweens in many, many years. . . . Callie’s struggles to find a place
in the world where she’ll be encouraged in the gawky joys of intellectual
curiosity are fresh, funny, and poignant today.”
·
Booklist reveals that The
Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is “Interwoven with the scientific theme are
threads of daily life in a large family—the bonds with siblings, the
conversations overheard, the unspoken understandings and misunderstandings—all
told with wry humor and a sharp eye for details that bring the characters and
the setting to life. The eye-catching jacket art, which silhouettes Callie and
images from nature against a yellow background, is true to the period and the
story. Many readers will hope for a sequel to this engaging, satisfying first
novel.”
·
Kirkus Reviews says “Readers
will finish this witty, deftly crafted debut novel rooting for “Callie Vee” and
wishing they knew what kind of adult she would become.”
·
School Library Journal calls it
“A charming and inventive story of a child struggling to find her identity at
the turn of the 20th century . . . there’s no uncertainty over the
achievement of Kelly’s debut novel.”
·
The Horn Book says “Kelly,
without anachronism, has created a memorable, warm, spirited young woman who’s
refreshingly ahead of her time.”
5. CONNECTIONS
·
Share with the students some of the backstory for creating THE
EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE as told by author Jacqueline Kelly
http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=3342&a=1
·
While reading the book, have
students keep a “scientific journal” like Calpurnia does.
·
Calpurnia and her grandfather share
a special bond. Have students write about an individual with whom they share a
special bond.
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