Customer Reviews
Quite the entertaining read 
2007-10-08
Karen Cushman has written a delightful literary work for young adults, providing a small and oftimes irreverent (but mostly true) glimpse of the Middle Ages. The protagonist, fourteen-year-old Catherine (nicknamed "Birdy" by her family members"), writes a chronicle of her day-to-day life in the year 1290, initially intending it solely for her adored brother Edward's eyes. Birdy writes of her daily activities (especially the loathed art of needlework), her family troubles (among which include her overbearing, abusive father and her gentle mother, who often gets with child only to miscarry), and her keen observations of the bawdy goings-on within the peasantry surrounding her father's manor.
Spirited and independent in a way that far decries the usual attitude of the women of the time, Birdy fights a constant battle with her "beast of a father" over the endless stream of suitors he sends her way in an attempt to marry her off and make a bit of money in the process. She manages to outwit several of them and send them packing--one of the most memorable incidents includes putting mouse-bones in her hair, blackening her teeth, and talking gibberish at the dinner table--but at last her father seems to have procured the most loathsome, leech-like suitor of them all, a man who is never named, but whom Birdy simply refers to as "Shaggy Beard." None of Birdy's brilliant attempts at scaring off this suitor seem to work. As the wedding day draws slowly nearer, Birdy becomes increasingly desperate, a feeling remarkably and painfully tangible in her writing as the novel nears its sweet and satisfying finish.
At times heartrendingly accurate and sincerely honest, at times laugh-out-loud funny, Birdy's "diary" is a wonderful way for young adults to immerse themselves in the rich history of the Middle Ages. The few sexual references Birdy makes are purely observatory, largely comical and tongue-in-cheek, not at all a cause for concern among parents, and while these references are humorously obvious to the older spectrum of young adult readers, much younger readers might not even make a connection.
All in all, it's definitely worth a read. Even when afflicted with a pounding headache, I couldn't put it down. I can only imagine the appeal it might have to a reader much younger than myself.
For the Young and Young at Heart 
2007-09-29
This diary of a 14-year-old in 13th century England reads smoothly and believably, not an easy task when trying to recreate the inner thoughts of a young adult from a strange culture. Ms. Cushman writes so that a young adult can empathize with with Birdy, and an older adult can remember their own angst at a similar age. (Humorously for me. I broke out laughing in several places.)
Catherine, Called Birdy 2007-09-02
This lively tale, told from the point of view of a young girl named Catherine, is a diary format that will appeal to many readers. I tend to think that girls will enjoy this story more than boys, due to the main character being a girl. Set in the, "Year of our Lord 1290" we can follow the daily life and times of Catherine, who is of middle wealth in old England. Students who are studying about this time period would be greatly attracted to this novel. It is easy to read and has many stories that bring to life what it might have been like for a young girl at this time period. Catherine is outspoken (often slapped and sent to her room), energetic (dresses up like a villager to play in the mud), daring (walks on foot for 2 days to reach her cousin George's home in York), caring (uses her last money to buy a bear to keep it from being slaughtered), loves to read and paint, eccentric (keeps 10 birds in her room for the company), and most of all, bound and determined to not be married off due to the whim and greed of her father. She may not be an average girl of the times, but as the readers, we certainly get an authentic feel for the times. While reading this story, I was often dismayed by the food descriptions; swan's neck pudding and eel pie! A good comparison activity of how different foods are acceptable to different people at different times. I enjoyed Catherine's relationship with all the characters in the story, and learned at a lot about a country manor and how it was run in 1290. Catherine is ingenious in developing ways to run off prospective suitors, in the end, her trap becomes her savior. The man she was supposed to marry dies, and she is instead given to the son, who has the strange habit of reading and bathing with regular frequency. That which she was avoided all through the book becomes her best way of escaping her father, and growing to live her own life with a man who may just accept her for herself.
As I recall... 
2007-08-27
I had to read this in 3rd or 4th grade. I recall finding it rather boring. I struggled through it. Perhaps I would enjoy it more now.
Catherine Called Birdy - - Bad or Good???? 
2007-05-23
ok, this book is good AND bad. Birdy (Catherine) is a brat living in Mid evil England. She is very much a tomboy. Her Father, referred to often as The "Beast" is determined to marry her off to the "highest bidder" With her quick thinking she manages to get rid of most of the suitors. However, the one she cannot get rid of is the worst by far. I don't want to give it away, but Birdy makes a heart breaking decision to save a bear, which is stupid in my opinion.
This book is written in journal form. It includes the dates of saints. It also tells a lot of mid evil medicine. The over all plot is pretty good, because it explains the life and perils of the average teenager living in the 13th century. However, it is a bit exaggerated. Girls in that time would not fart, spit, burp, or be allowed to ask questions and say things like wanting to be in a crusade. Also, she would be in big trouble for lighting a suitor on fire, because in the book she is merely spoken to. I recommend this book for kids about 12 years old. If your much older it'll seem stupid (trust me!!!!) and much younger it won't make much sense. (trust me!!!!) Overall, though it was o.k., I'd have to say it was more bad than good.
Great book 2008-06-29
I am a music teacher and am doing a medieval/renaissance program at the library. I made this required reading for my students because it really helps them see what it would have been like to grow up a young woman in medieval times. It keeps your attention because it's rather short and has all the gross stuff in it like pig stomach with raisins, stinky privies, and the like. You know, stuff that intrigues middle schoolers. They just need help with the vocabulary because it use colloquialisms that are not understood in our modern language. A great read even for adults!
Catherine Called Birdy 2008-05-08
Title: Catherine, Called Birdy
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Author: Karen Cushman
Date: 1994
Reading Level: 7th grade
Number of Pages: 224
Genre: Historical Fiction
Plot Synopsis: Catherine (Birdy) is living in Medieval England with her parents in the late 1200s. This book is written through the eyes of Catherine in the form of a journal, who starts writing when she is 14 and finishes when she is 15. She is part of a middle class family: her father is a knight and her mother is a noblewoman, and they are actively trying to find the wealthiest groom for Catherine. Catherine feels like she is being auctioned off, and works hard to repulse each suitor so that no one will stay. Catherine describes in detail many of the things she doesn't like about being a `lady' in the late 1200s, such as sewing, caring for the sick and making soap. She states that she would rather live the life of a knight, as they are free to make their own choices and aren't tied down by a husband.
Catherine is eventually matched with a much older man, whom she calls Shaggy Beard. Right before the marriage, Catherine runs away to her aunt's house. She returns home shortly thereafter, sadly accepting her fate. When she gets home she learns that Shaggy Beard has died and she will instead marry his much younger son, who has inherited all of his father's wealth. Shaggy Beard's son actually enjoys reading and learning, and Catherine ends her journal much happier about her prospects in this marriage.
Negative Aspects of the book: Karen Cushman worked to make this book as historically accurate as possible. Because of this, she is rather crude when describing bodily functions. Catherine tells a story about a boy who farts in front of the king, describes urination in public, and talks of her brother "rolling around in the hay." I would be careful to only give this to a class of students who are mature enough to realize that she writes like this to be historically accurate, not to be gross.
My Personal Appraisal: A wonderful book for middle school girls AND boys alike! Catherine is a strong woman who rebels against the preferred path for women at that time. She shows her reader that it is okay to be different from others, and ultimately ends up happy in her own way. I also really like the format of this book. Because it is in a journal format, it is easier to read and will attract even those students who are reluctant readers. Having students keep a journal of their own would be a great activity to go along with this book. A journal would make them familiar with the format of the book, and maybe introduce students to the value of keeping a journal of their own.
A. Stewart's Book Review 2008-04-10
Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman is about a girl named Catherine in the Middle Ages. She is now old enough to be married off, and her father is persistent, bringing many suitors to meet her. Catherine has managed to get rid of all of them, until "Shaggy Beard" comes along. He's old, obnoxious and ugly (according to Catherine), and he's not at all swayed by her attempts to get rid of him. Catherine never really wants to get married, especially not to this man. With the marriage crawling closer and closer, Catherine has to put out her best and avoid the marriage before it's too late.
This is a great read for anyone looking for a short, but interesting book to read. The characters are very original, and Catherine's views on the world are very different from a lot of girls her age and from her time. Karen Cushman does a great job of describing things through Catherine's eyes. Catherine is sometimes really critical of people and it's funny to see how she describes these people. Readers can really connect with Catherine and her world. They will get to the thirtieth page, and won't put the book down from there!
A Great Book for Teen History Reports 2008-03-20
For school, I was doing a report on what living during the Medieval Times was like, and I had saw this book at our library and decided to read it. It was a great story about a girl my age who kept a diary and wrote about what her daily life was like. It gave me a good idea about the living conditions, traditions, etc. of that time period. The book was entertaining and funny, and it was a nice length, not too long yet not too short. I would recommend "Catherine, Called Birdy" for anyone who wants a taste of what medieval life was like, because I think Karen Cushman did a great job of portraying it in this book.
wonderful romp through medieval england 2008-01-23
I read this book in middle school and it has remained one of my favorites ever since. Karen Cushman really brings the Middle Ages alive, sparing nothing for the sensibilities of modern readers. Castles were neither clean nor comfortable by modern standards, and Cushman makes this point abundantly clear. She also creates a realistic cast of characters who fit their time but are still understandable and endearing for the modern reader. Too many authors fall to the Victorian notion of a more "sanitized" and romanticized version of the Middle Ages that is more of a fairy-tale than reality. Cushman avoids this trap, and creates a wonderful story of memorable characters in a realistic setting. Well done!
