Search - Catherine, Called Birdy

Some reviewers have said that Catherine sounds more like a modern American teenager than a medieval maiden. Well, that's because our idea of what a typical medieval maiden was really like was tainted by the Victorians. Females were not the "damsels in distress" we like to think they were. Women, even teen women, in the middle ages were land-owners, proud of their sexuality, and not afraid to speak their minds with no recrimination.

That being said, Catherine IS a typical medieval maiden. Learned, God-fearing to a point, outspoken, and proud. She doesn't want to marry who her father wants her to marry and wants to make up her own mind.

Her diary entries are hilariously funny and often mention her new ways of swearing ("corpus bones" and "God's thumbs", for example). As an adult, I loved to read her snarky writing about her lout of a father and her ways of sneaking out of work and chores...reminds me of my students!

Very deserving of all the awards it has earned and will turn your idea of what the middle ages were really like upside down.

Delightful story of a 14-year-old daughter of a knight's exploits in avoiding marriage. True to the period and hilarious.

This is one of the more kid-friendly Newberry books--so many in the past decade or so are the kind of books kids *have* to read in school but may not want to. The drama/suspense of what will happen to Birdy next, plus the weirdness of the historical details, should make it compelling even for kids who might normally not be into historical fiction. Birdy is a fun and strong protagonist. I loved it as an adult.

What a lovely little story that captures a period of time forgotten to us now. Highly recommend, esp for teenage girls.

Catherine feels trapped and doesn't want to be married off to a rich man as her father intends. This book is great for jr high to high school kids, girls especially. It's also on the accelerated reading list.

Diary of a medieval young girl as her father attempts to marry her off. Catherine is irreverent but fun!