The Midwife's Apprentice Review

                                                                                          

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Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN: 0-395-69229-6.

The Midwife's Apprentice is the story of girl in medieval England who has no family, no home, no name, and no future. Her fortune changes when she meets Jane the Midwife, although Jane is a harsh mistress. After facing hardship and overcoming several obstacles, the girl who names herself Alyce, finally finds her place in the world.

Karen Cushman captures the drudgery, filth and hardship of medieval life from the opening chapter of The Midwife's Apprentice to the last page. She also shows the reader the transformation of a homeless, nameless, and hopeless girl into a young woman who finds everything she wants including, "A full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world." The girl who names herself Alyce is familiar because she is the target of bullies and she is unsure of her future just as most young people are when attempting to get through middle and high school. Her challenges are faced in a time long ago, but the universal themes of loneliness, fear, and confusion will resonate with readers of today.

Alyce becomes Jane the Midwife's apprentice which saves her from sleeping in a dung heap, but subjugates her to Jane's harsh criticism. With time, Alyce uses her wits and survival skills to learn the secrets of midwifery until the day comes when a woman in labor asks Alyce to attend the delivery and Alyce fails. Readers will understand Alyce's despair and relate to her solution to run away from the village rather than face Jane's sharp tongue. Alyce's only friend, a cat she saved from the mean-spirited boys of the village remains by her side and they find a home at an inn by, "...trading her labor for bread and a bed..." Working at the inn allows Alyce to find herself through hard work and the help of someone she discovers is a friend when he tells her, "You got guts and common sense. Just because you don't know everything don't mean you know nothing." One success is all it takes for Alyce to realize that she does want to be a midwife after all and so she returns to the village and is stunned to discover that Jane will not take her back until she proves that she is willing to "...try and risk and fail and try again and not give up." Words of wisdom for every person trying to find their place in the world.

Cushman offers a concluding note that gives a brief history of midwifery including the renewed interest in the practice beginning in the 1960's. The discussion of herbs used by midwives and their influence on current medicines is especially interesting and encourages further reading.

The Midwife's Apprentice won several awards:
1996 Newbery Medal
1996 ALA Best Book for Young Adults
1996 ALA Notable Children's Book
1996 NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts
1996 Horn Book Fanfare Honor List
1995 List of Recommended Book (NY Public Library)
1995 Booklist Books for Youth Editor's Choice
1995 American Booksellers Association Pick of the Lists
1995 School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

Karen Cushman writes historical fiction that often features feisty female characters. Her 1994 book Catherine, Called Birdy was a Newbery Honor book. For more information about Karen Cushman, please visit her website http://www.karencushman.com/.

In a starred review Booklist said, "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." School Library Journal, also giving a starred review, stated, "With simplicity, wit, and humor, Cushman presents another tale of medieval England... 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." Publishers Weekly said that, "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."

A comparison of educational and occupational opportunities between the two time periods, as well as an exploration of the great differences of life for young people would be interesting for today's tweens and teens. Research into midwifery and modern childbirth practices is also an important and fascinating discussion point for teens considering parenthood in the future. I have suggested this title as a "quick read" for the "Adults Who Read YA Book Club" at my library. I think they would enjoy the look at midwifery as well. An excellent discussion guide can be found here: http://www.karencushman.com/pdfs/DG_midwife.pdf.

Amazon. Editorial reviews. http://www.amazon.com/The-Midwifes-Apprentice-Karen-Cushman/dp/0547722176/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383703679&sr=8-1&keywords=midwife%27s+apprentice. (Accessed November 4, 2013.) 

Barnes and Noble. Editorial reviews. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/midwifes-apprentice-karen-cushman/1100303592?ean=9780547722177. (Accessed November 4, 2013.)

Children's Literature Network. Awards.
http://www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/aifolder/aipages/ai_c/cushman.php. (Accessed November 5, 2013.)

Drawing From Memory Review

October 18, 2013

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Say, Allen. 2011. Drawing From Memory. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 978-0-545-17686-6.

Drawing From Memory is an autobiography telling the story of Say's unusual upbringing in postwar Tokyo. His determination to pursue life as an artist and the relationship he develops with the famous Japanese cartoonist Noro Shinpei after becoming Shinpei's apprentice is the centerpiece of the book.

Say uses an unusual mix of text and graphics to share his coming-of-age story and development as an artist. The front flap of the book describes the contents as, "Part memoir, part graphic novel, part narrative history..." Each page offers the reader an opportunity to appreciate Say's talents with words and illustrations created with watercolors, pencils, pen and ink, and photographs. Even the font used for captions is unique because it was developed specifically for the book based on Say's handwriting. Early sketches are included as well as examples of  Noro Shinpei's cartoons that first captured Say's imagination and led to his desire to be a cartoonist much to his father's dismay. His father believed that, "Artists are lazy and scruffy people--they are not respectable." Luckily, teachers recognized his talent and supported his artistic endeavors including Shinpei who became Say's sensei and "spiritual father". Drawing From Memory is an engaging story, a beautiful artwork, and a loving tribute to a respected teacher that any reader will enjoy.

To learn more about Allen Say please visit the publisher's website: http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/allensay/author.shtml.
Lesson plans and activities that explore Allen Say and his books can be found here: http://www.webenglishteacher.com/say.html.

Publishers Weekly commented in their review, "As the story of a young artist's coming of age, Say's account is complex, poignant, and unfailingly honest. Say's fans—and those who also feel the pull of the artist's life—will be captivated."  
Jeanine Fox writing for VOYA said, "The mixture of text, sketches, and photographs illustrates Say's development as an artist and provides a glimpse into his youth and the lives of those closest to him. This book is sure to appeal to reluctant readers. Its brief text and plentiful graphics make it a quick but fulfilling read, and leave the reader wanting more." 
School Library Journal noted, "Illustrations are richly detailed and infused with warmth. Exquisite use of light makes night scenes glow, and the mid-20th-century Tokyo setting is captured with vivid authenticity. A variety of media and artistic styles, including full-color paintings, black-and-white sketches, photographs, and comic-book panels, adds texture and depth to the narrative."

I suggested Drawing From Memory to my coworker who leads the library's anime club because many of the group members are aspiring artists. I think they will enjoy reading about Say's determination and enjoy the many artistic styles featured in the book. I encouraged her to showcase his other books, too, so that the group can see the range of his art, such as How My Parents Learned to Eat, Tree of Cranes, Tea with Milk, The Sign Painter, and the Caldecott Medal Winner Grandfather's Journey. The group is very interested in Japanese culture, so his books will provide excellent insight to that area also.

Barnes & Noble. Editorial reviews. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drawing-from-memory-allen-say/1102186327?ean=9780545176866. (Accessed October 18, 2013.)

Studying Soil Review

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Walker, Sally M. 2013. Studying Soil. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Company. ISBN: 978-1-4677-0023-8.

Studying Soil is part of the Searchlight Books: Do You Dig Earth Science? series.  The series introduces the basic concepts of earth science with this title focusing on the soil or dirt found in most places of the Earth. The four materials that make soil are discussed, along with soil layers, and basic conservation techniques. Color photographs enhance the text along with explanatory diagrams.

Walker does a good job of explaining the science of dirt without using technical language that the target audience of 3rd to 5th graders could find overwhelming. The format of the book follow a logical sequence from "What is soil?" to "Layers of soil" to "Taking care of soil." Readers are invited to interact with each chapter through text that suggests simple exploration such as, "You can be a soil detective. If you look closely at soil you may find worms, insects, or other animals living in it." The photographs are closely aligned to the text with boxed captions for further understanding. The layout is appealing with colorful photographs and enough changes in font to capture the eye, but not be distracting.Walker includes a table of contents, glossary, index, and resources for further exploration. 

Sally M. Walker won the Robert F. Sibert International Book Award in 2006 and is the author of many nonfiction books for young readers. For more information visit her website: http://sallymwalker.com/.

Shannon Cde Baca reviewed Studying Soil in December of 2012 for National Science Teachers Association NSTA recommends saying, "For the class that is beginning a study that involves plants or soil, this book would be an excellent addition to the unit material..."
http://www.nsta.org/recommends/ViewProduct.aspx?ProductID=21442

School Library Journal's review in April 2013 was mixed, offering, "With its relatively simple topic, Soil is the strongest title..." but "Half-hearted suggestions for hands-on activities show up..."

http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|41409115|42598832&mc=USA#.

We used Studying Soil as part of our Summer Reading Club program Dirt Day! in July of this year. We read books about getting dirty and the science of dirt, then made sand art and mud pies outside on the library's patio. After a clean up session, we made dirt cups for a snack which the families really enjoyed! 

Lerner publishing offers additional resources for their titles on their website: https://www.lernerbooks.com.

Baca, Shannon Cde. NSTA recommends. Studying Soil review.

http://www.nsta.org/recommends/ViewProduct.aspx?ProductID=21442. (Accessed October 17, 2013.)

Books in Print. Texas Woman's University. (Accessed October 17, 2013.)

Follow Follow Review

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Singer, Marilyn. 2013. Follow, Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems. Ill. Josee Masse. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 978-0-8037-3769-3.

Follow, Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems is a poetry collection that showcases poems that are read from top to bottom, then reversed to be read bottom to top revealing a whole new perspective. Slight changes are made to punctuation and capitalization, but no words are changed in the reverso form. Singer focuses her unique poetry style on folk and fairy tales such as the princess and the pea, the tortoise and the hare, Thumbelina, the three little pigs, and many more.

Singer developed the poems that are called reverso and readers everywhere should experience them. They are clever and imaginative, bringing a new experience to poetry and classic tales. She opens Follow, Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems with a delightful ode to writing:

Fairy Tales

Read my book.
And then,
just imagine this,
me in my garret, working all alone,
how hard it was to write.
I need to tell the world
the truth,
so here goes:
I beg your pardon--
fairies helped.

Fairies helped?
I beg your pardon!
So, here goes
the truth:
I need to tell the world
how hard it was to write,
me in my garret, working all alone.
Just imagine this,
and then
read my book.

Masse's illustrations are two-sided as well, perfectly complementing Singer's poems. The pictures are saturated with vibrant color encouraging the reader to linger over them and fully enjoy each page. The author offers an endnote explaining the reverso style and also summarizing the original tales for readers who may be unfamiliar with them. Follow, Follow offers an excellent starting point for further exploration of the fables and fairy tales Singer focuses on in this book and its predecessor, the award winning, Mirror, Mirror.

Marilyn Singer has written over ninety children's book in a variety of genres. To learn more about her work please visit http://marilynsinger.net/.

Josee Masse is an award winning illustrator and for those who speak French, more can be discovered here: http://www.joseemasse.com/. If English is your preferred language, please learn more here: http://www.painted-words.com/masse.html.

“Singer and Masse’s companion to Mirror Mirror is just as inspired as its predecessor.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Fun, thoughtful, beautifully written poems that employ a poetic form called a reverso to spin a familiar fairy tale in a new direction.” – Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Singer’s poetry begs to be read aloud as listeners savor Masse’s accompanying illustrations. This is a must-have book for a library’s poetry section as well as for any personal collection." - Library Media Connection, starred review

"These are delightful to read and read aloud, and they’re a curricular dream for discussions of poetry, folklore, and point of view." – The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Masse’s two-sided illustrations capture the changes in point of view, tone, and color...Singer’s reversos present lyrical and evocative moments that will surprise and delight children and provide them with opportunities for critical discussion." – School Library Journal

 Follow, Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems can be paired with Marilyn Singer's award winning Mirror, Mirror to encourage children to explore and write their own reverso poems. Both books could also be included in a literature experience that includs fairy tales of all kinds. I will be using these books as part of the youth activities at Amarillo Public Library's Open Book Festival, November 2, 2013. The theme is Fairy Tale Adventures and we will be sharing activities incorporating Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. 


Amazon. Editorial reviews. http://www.amazon.com/Follow-Book-Reverso-Poems/dp/0803737696. (Accessed October 9, 2013.)

What My Mother Doesn't Know Review

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Sones, Sonya. 2001. What My Mother Doesn't Know. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0-689-84114-0.

What My Mother Doesn't Know is a coming-of-age novel written in verse that is funny, sad, and familiar if you are or ever have been a teenager looking for love. As Sophie herself describes the book:

My name is Sophie. This book is about me. It tells the heart-stoppingly riveting story of my first love. And also of my second. And, okay, my third love, too. It's not that I'm boy crazy. It's just that even though I'm almost fifteen I've been having sort of a hard time trying to figure out the difference between love and lust. It's like my mind and my body and my heart just don't seem to be able to agree on anything. Sophie is struggling to figure out what love is amidst the drama of her parent's failing marriage and the daily trauma of negotiating her freshman year. She has a boyfriend who she doesn't really like although he is the teenage ideal. Eventually they break up because they have nothing in common. She then falls for a cyber boyfriend only to discover that he is a pervert. She quickly "deletes" that relationship. On Halloween, she dances with a masked man at a school party who becomes the unidentified boy of her dreams. When the winter break comes and her best friends Rachel and Grace leave town, Sophie unexpectedly falls for the school nerd, Robin Murphy. They have many common interests and one night while listening to music together Sophie and Robin share a dance, revealing Robin as the mystery man! Of course, the hard part comes when Sophie has to face her friends and admit that she cares for Robin who offers to let her "off the hook" when he tells her, "It's okay, Sophie, ... I'll understand if it has to end." Finally the decision must be made when school resumes and Sophie has to decide where to sit at lunch, with her girlfriends or with Robin. Sophie stands rooted to the spot scanning the cafeteria until she chooses her heart over her fear and hurries to sit with Robin. The story ends with the upbeat message "...everything's going to be all right." Every poem in What My Mother Doesn't Know is complete, yet begs you to turn the page for more until the satisfying conclusion to Sophie's story. I read this book quickly then reread it to appreciate every thoughtfully picked line, to be sure that I savored each memory it stirred in me of the angst and joy of being a teenager. Sones is gifted at expressing the language of young people, although at some point some of the references may become dated, there is an understanding of the universal moments shared by teenagers in her writing.

Sonya Sones has written five novels in verse for the young adult audience. She has received many honors including the Myra Cohn Livingston Poetry Award, A Christopher Award, and a Los Angeles Times Book Prize nomination. What My Mother Doesn't Know has received much recognition including the following honors according to Sonya Sones on her website http://www.sonyasones.com:

listed by the American Library Association as one of the Top 100 Most Banned Books of the Decade (2000–2010) listed by the American Library Association as one of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books (2004, 2005, 2010, and 2011)

winner of the Iowa Teen Book Award (2005–2006)
Michigan Thumbs Up Award Honor Book (2002)
unanimously chosen an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults (2002)
named an International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice (2003)
unanimously chosen an American Library Association Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2002)
named an International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice (2003)

named a Booklist Editor's Choice (2001) voted a VOYA Top Shelf for Middle School Readers (2003) Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award: YA Recommended Title (2003–2004) named a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age (2002, 2003, and 2004) named a Texas Lone Star State Reading List Choice (2003–2004) named a Top Ten Editor's Choice by Teenreads.com (2001) named a Bookreporter.com Best of 2001 for Teens She also has this to say about her book, "I’m very proud of the fact that What My Mother Doesn’t Know is #31 on the American Library Association’s list of The 100 Most Banned Books of The Decade. It also was one of the Top Ten Most Banned Books of 2004, 2005, 2010, and 2011!".  If you'd like to know why, you will have to get a copy and read page 46.

Children's Literature commented, " The highs and lows of Sophie's life reflect much of the excitement and anguish that mark adolescence maintaining and developing new friendships;experiencing first love;despairing of parents in the midst of marital strife and personal transitions;and facing down religious bigotry and collective scape-goating. Sophie negotiates all of these life-events with honesty, openness and humor as she reconstructs her identity and learns to trust her own perspective."
Publisher's Weekly gave the book a starred review saying. "Drawing on the recognizable cadence of teenage speech, the author poignantly captures the tingle and heartache of being young and boy-crazy." And, "She weaves separate free verse poems into a fluid and coherent narrative with a satisfying ending." 
Kirkus Reviews praised the format, stating that, "Laid out in a series of mostly free-verse poems,..., the text gets at the emotional state of this girl so completely and with such intensity that a conventional narrative framework would simply dilute the effect." 

My daughter reads all of Sonya Sones books and shares them with her friends. I often recommend them to teens in my library based on the reactions I hear from my daughter and her friends, but this is the first one I actually read myself. Now I can't wait to read the others. Of course I would like to say I have read everything I recommend, but time is limited, so I do listen to what the families I work with say after reading something, look at reviews, then offer a selection when someone asks. I haven't had one complaint, yet, on Sones books, although it may be because I usually give them to teens 13 and up. The next author I suggest when a teen enjoys Sones is Ellen Hopkins who also writes in verse and tackles teen topics, often dark and traumatic, so again, for teens 13 and up. I also offer these two authors to reluctant readers because there are less words on a page than in a traditional novel and the reading flows quickly from one page to another. 

Barnes & Noble. Editorial reviews. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-my-mother-doesnt-know-sonya-sones/1100363856?ean=9781442493858. (Accessed September 30, 2013.)

Sones, Sonya. 
http://www.sonyasones.com/books/whatmymother/a_syn_book.html.  (Accessed September 30, 2013.)

Welcome!

Welcome to my world of books! I will be posting reviews here as part of my graduate program at TWU. I am taking Dr. Vardell's class 5603-21 Literature for Children and Young Adults.
Who knows? Maybe I will expand my little world if I get the hang of it!