Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

"Corpus bones!"

Bibliography:

Cushman, Karen. 1994. Catherine, Called Birdy. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395681862

Plot Summary:
Fourteen-year-old Catherine, nickname Birdy, would rather be a villager than her royal family's sole daughter. It's the year 1290, and to please her eldest brother, Catherine begins keeping an account of her daily life as a means of self-reflection and maturity. The days are filled with dull embroidery needlework, concocting endless healing remedies, and doing everything in her power to derail the suitors knocking on her father's door for her arranged marriage. Catherine successfully wards off many awful suitors through trickery and mischief, including accidentally setting the privy to fire. Her heart belongs to Perkins, the goat tender, and Uncle George, the fierce crusader, but Catherine is to be betrothed to the foulest suitor of them all, Shaggy Beard. As she navigates her way through self-identity, family differences, and curses gone wrong, Catherine learns the true life lessons of growing up and accepting who she's always been.

Critical Analysis:
Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman is an entertaining historical fiction novel about a coming-of-age story of a girl from the twelfth-century medieval era. Readers will find Catherine to be brave, funny, and resilient. Some will relate to having parents consisting of the sweet mother and relentless father. Others will find the nuisance of older brothers relevant as Catherine fights her way to be independent like them; although, the insufferable Robert redeems himself at times. There are also the servants, villagers, friends, and extension of quirky characters that capture the essence of a small kingdom in the late 1200s.

History is accurately represented in this novel through the plot and setting, and the concept of the story is easy enough for middle-grade readers to understand. However, Cushman does provide many details throughout the story, such as saint days and sainthood information, but it emphasizes the narrative rather than take away the meaning. Karen Cushman's style of writing also accurately represents mannerisms and communication in 1290 England. The author does a great job of incorporating slang, like "Corpus bones" and "God's thumbs," and unfolding the story in a diary entry format. I especially enjoyed all of the vivid details of the food descriptions, such as pigeon pie and eel for breakfast.

Catherine, Called Birdy, is thoroughly researched and authentic to the timeline. In the Author's Note of the book, Cushman provides extensive information on kingdoms, royalty, and people in 1290 England. She also includes discussion questions for further analysis and a detailed list of book recommendations for readers who want to learn more about the Middle Ages. Overall, readers of all ages will appreciate this story, but I think it is especially suited for children ten and up.

Review Excerpts:
Awards & Recognitions:

  • 1994 California Silver Book Award for Juvenile
  • 1995 Newbery Medal Nominee
  • 1996 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Nominee
From 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 naiveté are extraordinary; at once comic and thought-provoking, this first novel is a delight."

From School Library Journal, "This unusual book provides an insider’s look at the life of Birdy, 14, the daughter of a minor English nobleman. The year is 1290 and the vehicle for storytelling is the girl’s witty, irreverent diary. . . . Superb historical fiction."

Connections:

  • Based on the Author's Note at the end of Catherine, Called Birdy, there were many different kinds of kingdoms, from smaller manors in the country to grand castles in large cities. Encourage patrons or students to research information and pictures on various kingdoms throughout history and ask them to share what they learned with everyone. 
  • If you live in a country or local area with a castle, arrange a field trip for children to experience first-hand. Kasteel Van Beersel would be a close representation of medieval castles in the late 1200s. (I've seen it first-hand, and it's incredible). 
  • If it's in your budget, buy a bulk of affordable diaries or journals to hand out to patrons or students. Encourage them to write in the journal every day. See if anyone is brave enough to share something new they've learned about themselves. 

Read other historical fiction novels by Karen Cushman:

  • The Midwife's Apprentice. ISBN: 9780064406307
  • Matilda Bone. Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. ISBN: 9780440418221
  • The Ballad of Lucy Whipple. ISBN: 9780330398329
  • Alchemy and Meggy Swann. ISBN: 9780547231846
Read similar historical fiction stories like Catherine, Called Birdy: 
  • Ellis, Leanne S. The Ugly One. ISBN: 9780544439177
  • Magras, Diane. The Mad Wolf's Daughter. ISBN: 9780735229266
  • Wilson, Jacqueline. Clover Moon. ISBN: 9780857532749

Extra Content: To Kick Those Boredom Blues

Catherine, Called Birdy, might make her way to the big screen soon! Check out this article from Deadline about the film adaptation: Deadline: Catherine, Called Birdy.

Here's a fun trailer for Medieval Times in Dallas, Texas. Plan a visit sometime to experience live-action jousting and a feast to fit a king!