The Midwife's Apprentice

The Midwife’s Apprentice

Citation:

Cushman, Karen. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Clarion Books, 1995. ISBN: 9780395692295

Plot Summary:

                The Midwife’s Apprentice is the story of Alyce, formally Beetle, who is found by the town’s midwife, June. Beetle becomes the woman’s apprentice, but she is not allowed to take part of the practice and the midwife refuses to allow Alyce to accompany her to the birth. Alyce begins to watch from the windows of the house. The village boys tease Beetle, but she saves Will from drowning in the river and he respects her by using her name, Alyce. As Alyce becomes craftier she takes to hiding in the shadows during the births and learns which medicines to use. When Beetle renames herself Alyce she gains self esteem and respect for herself and begins to help the townsfolk with deliveries. As she becomes more knowledgeable the villagers begin asking for her rather than the June, but when a difficult birth arises Alyce does not know what to do and calls on the midwife. After the birth Alyce runs away in humiliation with Purr, her cat. Alyce asks to become the apprentice again after declining a job with a family she helped deliver a baby for.

Critical Analysis:

                The Midwife’s Apprentice is written in third person. This is an interesting take on a historical fiction novel because a lot of times the authors want you to understand the thoughts of the narrator. This novel painted an accurate portrait of Medieval England and the small towns where these midwives took up residence. The story handles bullying and children left alone, whether because they were abandoned or their parents died. The writing for the characters addresses pride and humbling experiences that give the characters light.

Reviews:

Publisher’s Weekly: “Cushman "has an almost unrivaled ability to build atmosphere, and her evocation of a medieval village, if not scholarly in its authenticity, is supremely colorful and pungent."

Connections:

·         History of medieval England

·         Newbery Medal winners

o   Holes by Louis Schafer

o   The Giver by Louis Lowry

·         Books by Karen Cushman

o   Catherine, called Birdy

o   Alchemy and Meggy Swann

All reviews courtesy of Amazon.com

One Crazy Summer

One Crazy Summer

Citation:

Williams-Garcia, Rita. One Crazy Summer. New York: Amistad, 2011. ISBN: 978-0060760908

Plot Summary:

                One Crazy Summer follows Delphine, a responsible and astute eleven year old as she journeys cross country with her two sisters to meet the mother, Cecile, that abandoned them seven years ago. Set during the summer of 1968 in Oakland, California the girls find themselves at a loss to explain their mother’s strange visitors and her disinterest in them as she sends them to a community centee hosted by the Black Panthers rather than spend time with them herself. The narrator is left to piece together her past as she learns about her mother from this group. As the summer progresses we learn of the pride that Delphine has for her name and why Cecile named the girls what she did. Cecile left shortly after Fern was born stems because of her own childhood issues, but she left them with their names which are important to her.  When her mother is arrested Delphine does not call her father because she is afraid he will take the back home, but when Cecile comes home she explains her life to Delphine, which is completely overwhelming. Finally we learn that Fern’s original name was Afua and that is why she will only address her as Little Girl.

Critical Analysis:

                One Crazy Summer is a critically acclaimed novel that focuses on the Civil Rights era of the sixties and introduces the Black Panther group. The narrator’s voice brings to life a story rich in history as it is emotionally as Delphine faces questions of abandonment and racial issues. The descriptions are spot on for a child dealing with being an adult and child at the same time. Delphine is raising her sisters, but she is also a child herself. The confusion that encompasses her feels real and brings the narrator to light. This is a historically accurate book that addresses race issues that amasses in California in the 1960’s.

Reviews:

School Library Journal: “With memorable characters (all three girls have engaging, strong voices) and a powerful story, this is a book well worth reading and rereading.”

Booklist: “Set during a pivotal moment in African American history, this vibrant novel shows the subtle ways that political movements affect personal lives; but just as memorable is the finely drawn, universal story of children reclaiming a reluctant parent’s love.”

Connections:

·         Books by Rita Williams-Garcia

o   Jumped

o   Like sisters on the homefront

·         Scott O’Dell award books

o   Chickadee by Louise Erdrich

o   The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan

·         Use in connection to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s

All book reviews courtesy of Amazon.com

Turtle in Paradise

Turtle in Paradise

Citation:

Holm, Jennifer L. Turtle in Paradise. New York: Random House Children's Books, 2010. ISBN: 9780375836886

Plot Summary:

                Turtle in Paradise is a coming of age story written by Jennifer Holm set in Florida. Turtle is a girl of eleven in 1935 who has been sent to live with her extended family because of her mother’s job. Her mother, Sadiebell, is a maid and a client that she is currently working for does not care for children, hence the move for Turtle. As Turtle adjusts to life in Florida she attempts to make friends with her cousins and his friends who are part of the “Diaper Gang,” who have a secret formula for curing diaper rash. Turtle finds a map and discovers a treasure. Throughout the book, as Turtle is discovering herself, family secrets come to life, like Slow Poke is her father. As Turtle finds a place within her family and makes some friends, her mother comes back with a fiancé to take Turtle away to start a new life. Before the trio can leave, Turtle has to say goodbye to everyone and reconnects her mother and grandmother. The mother and daughter both believe in the fairy tale ending Archie is selling them, until he disappears with Turtle’s treasure.

Critical Analysis:

Turtle in Paradise is set during the Great Depression and is accurately represented by the voice of the narrator and shares connections with the history of the era. The story is told by an eleven year old with a tough exterior as she navigates the throws of adolescence and a new home. The information is brought to life through Turtle as the reader sympathizes with the hard times of the period and her loneliness in her new home. The writing has a ring of authenticity that is heard through Turtle.

Reviews:

School Library Journal: “In 1935, jobs are hard to come by, and Turtle's mother is lucky to find work as a live-in housekeeper. When she learns that her employer can't stand children, she sends her 11-year-old daughter from New Jersey to Key West to live with relatives. Turtle discovers a startlingly different way of life amid boisterous cousins, Nana Philly, and buried treasure. This richly detailed novel was inspired by Holm's great-grandmother's stories. Readers who enjoy melodic, humorous tales of the past won't want to miss it.”

Booklist: “Reminiscent of Addie in the movie Paper Moon, Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure.”

Connections:

·         The Great Depression era history

·         Books by Jennifer L. Holm

o   Penny from Heaven

o   Our only May Amelia

·         Newbery Award winners

o   The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

o   Three times lucky by Shelia Turnage

All reviews courtesy of Amazon.com