From "Brat" to "Beetle" to "Alyce", this young adult Newberry winner follows the story of a homeless girl in medieval England. Upon finding her in a dung heap to keep herself warm, the local midwife sees an opportunity for an assistant. Though the midwife's motives are not good, the hardworking assistant learns quickly and find she enjoys the work. It was very interesting to learn about medieval midwifery which was driven by common sense, herbal remedies and superstition. There was no formal training and the job was a less than honorable profession. Of course, germs were unheard of at that time in history. The infant mortality rate was high and many mothers lost their lives in the process of giving birth. Though her situation seemed grim, Alyce made the most of her situation. The book also has touches of humor scattered throughout. A quick and enjoyable read.
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