A girl known only as Brat has no family, no home, and no future until she meets Jane the Midwife and becomes her apprentice. As she helps the short-tempered Jane deliver babies, Brat—who renames herself Alyce—gains knowledge, confidence, and the courage to want something in life for the first time. With the 1991 publication of this novel about life in medieval England for readers 9 to 12, Karen Cushman impressively followed up her Newbery Honor book Catherine, Called Birdy with this Newbery Medal winner.