Barbara Hathaway

In the novel entitled "Missy Violet & Me", Viney starts working during the summer with Missy Violet, the town midwife. Her father could not pay her for delivering his seventh child so Missy Violet suggests that Viney help her when school is out. She is excited to learn how to "catch a baby", but she does not even know where babies come from. Missy Violet quickly tells her that babies certainly do not come from a cabbage patch. Viney learned many things while working with Violet, including the different types of herbs and medicines and what they are used for. At first she was very nervous to help deliver a baby, but she soon became a very good assistant. One day, while Missy Violet was out of town, a woman had gone into labor. Viney does the best that she can do to try and comfort her but she just did not feel comfortable enough to deliver the baby on her own. She then decides to call Annie, a midwife that is a friend of Missy Violet. Annie comes to help with the delivery and is very impressed with Viney. Viney realizes that she had grown from a silly girl that knew nothing about catching babies to wanting to become a midwife herself. Missy Violet was a great teacher and role model to her that one day when she won't be able to catch babies anymore, Viney will most likely be the new town midwife. The main characters in the novel were African American and there was a brief mention about slavery and the Emancipation Act. Missy Violet remembers the day that soldiers came from up north to free them from slavery. Slavery is still an issue today and will always be a major part of our history. I have certainly enjoyed reading this book.… (meer)

Missy Violet is the town midwife. When Viney's father can't pay her for the birth of another daughter, Missy Violet suggests that she take 10-year-old Viney on as an assistant to pay off the debt. Viney is excited to help the midwife even though she doesn't know where babies come from. She learns soon though and also learns about the different types of plants and herbs Missy Violet uses and what they are used for. Viney is proud of being such a help to Missy Violet and knowing more about babies than snooty Margie Poole. Told in a girlish, observant voice with humor. Viney's voice brings vivid life to the characters of Charles, her rascally cousin; the scary Rausy brothers; addle-brained James Henry who believes the Lord (Charles) called him to preach; Viney's bold friend Arma Jean; and Mr. Grit, the widower who's set on Missy Violet.… (meer)

Missy Violet is a midwife that helped Viney’s mother give birth to her seventh child, and Viney’s father does not have enough to pay Missy Violet. The midwife wants her payment, so she suggests to Mr. James that Viney should work off his debt and Mr. James accepts. Viney is excited to help the midwife deliver babies, and she also wants to become a midwife herself. During that summer Viney learns how to help women feel comfortable when they are giving birth, and she learns what herbs to give them. There is one situation that Missy Violet is not present to help a women give birth, and Viney does the best that she can to help the pregnant lady. Viney does not feel comfortable helping the lady give birth, so she finds another midwife for help. Her name was Annie, and Viney and miss Annie help the pregnant lady give birth. Annie was impressed by Viney’s skills. The book reflects the adventure of a young girl that helps a midwife, and Missy Violet becomes the inspiration of many people in town.… (meer)