Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

Bibliography:
Cushman, K. 1994. CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN: 0395681863.

Plot Summary:
Catherine, the headstrong heroine of CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY, defies the boundaries of her position as a knight’s daughter in 13th century England when she must wed a man of her father’s choosing. Preferring to control her choices, she fends off suitors while exploring her other career options such as seamstress, crusader, and monk. Throughout the year, her diary entries reveal the concerns of a young woman in 13th century England and how she learned to accept both her self and position. The entries also reveal aspects of daily life on a Medieval such as the social concerns of marriage, status of the residents, and health concerns. Written in an honest, spunky voice Karen Cushman makes Catherine and her world come alive. The book includes an author’s note that addresses Medieval life and provides a list of fiction, non-fiction, and historical documents for further reading.

Critical Analysis:
Karen Cushman’s first novel, set in 1290 on an English manor, depicts life during the Middle Ages through the voice of Catherine, a 14 year-old girl, whose father plans on wedding her to the highest bidder. The premise of the book begins with Catherine’s older brother Edward encouraging her to write a diary to document her days in the hopes of helping her mature faster. Her daily accounts tell of life on the manor such as killing fleas, attending feasts and fairs, making medicines for hangovers and toothaches, types of food such as eel pie, and the business of marriage contracts.

Catherine is fully fleshed out with her own distinct voice that expresses the myriad of emotions involved in growing up regardless of the time period. Her interactions with the supporting characters such as the goat boy Perkin, her Uncle George, and her betrothed Shaggy Beard enhances Catherine’s perspective and provides more information about how society and their roles within it affected their lives. The characters do not follow stereotypes because each character is represented with both positive and negative aspects.

Cushman creates a youthful character who speaks about her life in a clear, honest voice full of humor while imparting facts about living during the Middle Ages. The facts are in turns shocking like using manure to cure a toothache to heartbreaking when Catherine believes she has cursed her Uncle George. Though the lifestyle is very different from today, CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY gives an authentic description of life during the Middle Ages and provides readers with a likable protagonist that they can relate to.

Review Excerpts:
KIRKUS REVIEWS
“The period has rarely been presented for young people with such authenticity; the exotic details will intrigue readers while they relate more closely to Birdy's yen for independence and her sensibilities toward the downtrodden. Her tenacity and ebullient naïveté are extraordinary; at once comic and thought-provoking, this first novel is a delight.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“Birdy's journal, begun as an assignment, first wells up in the reluctant and aggressive prose of hated homework, and then eases into the lighthearted flow of descriptive adventures and true confessions; the narrative device reveals Birdy's passage from rebellious child to responsible adult.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
“The 14-year-old daughter of a rustic knight records the events of her days in the year 1290, writing perceptive, scathing, and often raucously funny observations about her family, friends, and would-be suitors. A delightful, rebellious heroine, determined not to marry the man of her father's choice.”

Connections:
-Other books by Karen Cushman set in Medieval Times: THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE and MATILDA BONE
-This book can be included with a study of Medieval Times. Factual books about that time period include: MEDIEVAL LIFE by A. Langley; HOW WOULD YOU SURVIVE IN THE MIDDLE AGES by F. MacDonald, D. Salariya, & M. Peppe; DAYS OF KNIGHTS AND DAMSELS by L. Carlson; A MEDIEVAL FEAST by Aliki; ARCHERS, ALCHEMISTS, & 98 OTHER MEDIEVAL JOBS YOU MIGHT HAVE LOVED OR LOATHED by P. Galloway & M. Newbigging; and WOMEN IN MEDIEVAL TIMES by F. MacDonald
-Depending on location and funding, students could attend Medieval Times to get an understanding of the feast, jousting, and the aesthetic feel of the time period.