The 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 sharp-tempered Jane deliver babies, Brat—who renames herself Alyce—gains knowledge, confidence, and the courage to want something from life: “A full belly, a ... more >
Dear Reader: I had just finished my most recent classic* read and was casting about for another. A friend suggested Daddy-Long-Legs, with which I was vaguely familiar from the film version, though I’ve never seen it (I’m referring to the Leslie Caron musical one; apparently there are several film versions ... more >
Dear Ms. Cushman, The title of this book rang a bell when I saw it for sale. Since it has such a positive reputation and was a Newbery Honor book, I felt confident that it would be worth my time to seek out and try. I immediately fell for Catherine, ... more >