Catherine, Called Birdy

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

*Review created for Texas Woman’s University graduate level class*

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cushman, Karen. 1994. CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. New York. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 978-0-06-440584-3

2.       SUMMARY

Catherine, also called Birdy, is not your average young maiden; not only does she not like the typical womanly things such as spinning, but she can also read and write.  During the Middle Ages, literacy is rare, even among men and nobility, let alone for a young maiden.  In order to avoid spinning, a chore she hates, she writes in her journal.  What results is a hysterical look into the life of a young noblewoman in the Middle Ages, trying to avoid her father’s machinations to marry her off to the wealthiest suitor.

3.       CRITICAL REVIEW

Catherine is stubborn, intelligent, and voices her opinion.  She swears, would rather be a peasant than a noble woman, and definitely doesn’t want to be married.  Set in 1290, readers see what life was like in the Middle Ages, and the chores that a young maiden is responsible for, such as spinning, soap-making, making tonics for villagers, counting linens and sewing.  In addition to portraying the daily life and chores of the time, Cushman also presents aspects of living in the Middle Ages children are unlikely to think about, namely fleas, and poor personal hygiene.  Baths during the winter were few and far between and people often considered taking a bath to be bad for their health.  For instance, her entry is one example of the poor hygiene of the Middles Ages, “picked off twenty-nine fleas today.”   One other passage shows Birdy wanting a bath, “I wanted to take a bath, thinking that the dirt on my skin made the rash worse, but the bathing tub is being used as an extra table the kitchen and I cannot have it until spring.”  If I were Catherine in this instance I would be swearing, “Corpus bones”, or my favorite, “God’s thumbs!” 

Readers should be able to relate to the high spirited Catherine in her quest to outsmart her parents.  While readers will enjoy Birdy’s escapades, they may find it difficult to understand why a young girl would be getting married so young, or why she does not have a say in the marriage, but they will appreciate the creative ways she has to scare off potential suitors, including setting a privy on fire.  Cushman does a good job of balancing the culture and social mores of the Middle Ages with the expectations and morals of today’s society.  She does this by showing an independent and strong girl still having to fight against the shackles of her society for the opportunity to have a choice in which suitor she marries.  An overall interesting read that young adults are sure to enjoy. 

4.       REVIEWS

Newbery Honor Book

“at once comic and thought-provoking, this first novel is a delight”… Kirkus Reviews

“an admirable heroine and pungently evokes a largely unfamiliar setting”… Publishers Weekly

Starred Kirkus Review

5.       CONNECTIONS

Read The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman

Create a fashion magazine of medieval clothing and explain their functions

Create a calendar with the saint’s day

Listen to Medieval style music, such as Gregorian chanting

Works Cited

Kirkus Reviews. "Catherine, Called Birdy." Accessed July 27, 2012. http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/karen-cushman/catherine-called-birdy/#review.

Publishers Weekly. "Children's Review: Catherine, Called Birdy." Accessed July 27, 2012. http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-395-68186-2.