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Catherine, Called Birdy
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Catherine, Called Birdy
Author: Karen Cushman

Book Information
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780064405843 - ISBN-10: 0064405842
Pages: 224
Reading Level: Young Adult


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Audio Cassette (Abridged), Audio Cassette (Unabridged)

Book Description:
"Corpus Bones! I utterly loathe my life."

Catherine feels trapped. Her father is determined to marry her off to a rich man--any rich man, no matter how awful.

But by wit, trickery, and luck, Catherine manages to send several would-be husbands packing. Then a shaggy-bearded suitor from the north comes to call--by far the oldest, ugliest, most revolting suitor of them all.

Unfortunately, he is also the richest.

Can a sharp-tongued, high-spirited, clever young maiden with a mind of her own actually lose the battle against an ill-mannered, piglike lord and an unimaginative, greedy toad of a father?

Deus! Not if Catherine has anything to say about it!

Catherine feels trapped. Her father is determined to marry her off to a rich man--any rich man, no mater how awful.
But by wit, trickery, and luck, Catherine manages to send several would-be husbands packing. Then a shaggy-bearded suitor from the north comes to call--by far the oldest, ugliest, most revolting suitor of them all.
Unfortunately, he is also the richest.
Can a sharp-tongued, high-spirited, clever young maiden with a mind of her own actualy lose the battle against an ill-mannared, piglike lord and an unimaginative, greedy toad of a father?
Deus! Not if Catherine has anything to say about it!

1995 Newbery Honor Book
Notable Children's Books of 1995 (ALA)
1995 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
1995 Recommended Books for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (ALA)
1995 Teachers' Choices (IRA)
1995 IRA Distinguished Book Award for Fiction
1995 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)
1994 Golden Kite Award for Fiction (SCBWI)
1995 Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)
1995 Notable Trade Book in the Language Arts (NCTE)
1994 Golden Kite Award for Fiction (SCBWI)
1994 "Pick of the Lists" (ALA)
Outstanding Books of 1994 for Middle School-Aged Teens (V)

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Top Member Book Reviews

Jo Anne C. (MOI) wrote on 8/6/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

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

Jocelyn E. (hoopridge) wrote on 3/20/2009...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Alex N. (bioluminescence) wrote on 7/3/2007...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Emily H. (emilyh) wrote on 7/21/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

I absolutely loved this book when I was a teenager. I must have read it 20 times.

Stephanie S. (skywriter319) - Swarthmore, PA wrote on 4/29/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

A well-written historical fiction story for preteen readers. Birdy is a likable main character with wit and guts that will appeal to modern readers. The ending even brought tears of pride to my eyes!

(Cordelia) wrote on 3/15/2009...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

An interesting tale of a young, spirited woman that wants a part in the events in which happen to her. She's of the age to be married off (an arranged marriage) and her adventures sure are worth the enjoyment of reading. A fun surprise ending. I enjoyed it and it was a fun read. I'm not sure her behavior would have been tolerated in Medieval times but as the bumper sticker states "well-behaved women rarely make history" - or something like that anyway.

Mary S. (majansa) wrote on 11/29/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book is a classic Newberry Award winngin book and was required reading for 6th graders in our local school system.

Susan C. (SusanofGreenGables) wrote on 7/22/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book is used in Sonlight 6

Tanya A. (Taniekitty) wrote on 6/10/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I thought this book was pretty funny. I like when she's trying to come up with her own curse words.

Michelle P. (SouthernChelz) wrote on 5/20/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

We used this in our medieval unit study. Very good book!


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Marsha S. (Chycole) wrote on 6/2/2007...


Catherine feels trapped. Her father is determined to marry her off to a rich man--any rich man, no matter how awful.

But by will, trickery, and luck, Catherine manages to send several would-be husbands packing. Then a shaggy-bearded suitor from the north comes to call--by far the oldest, ugliest, most revolting suitor of them all.

Unfortunately, he is also the richest.

Can a sharp-tongued, high-spirited, clever young maiden with a mind of her own actually lose the battle against an ill-mannered, piglike lord and an unimaginative, greedy toad of a father?

Deus! Not if Catherine has anythign to say about it!

Kathryn (Kmarie) wrote on 3/8/2007...


A Newbery Honor Book
A 1995 Notable Children's Book
A 1995 Best Book for Young Adults
Quick Picks for Young Adults 1995

Pam H. wrote on 2/20/2007...


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.

Nina L. (bookwormhouse) wrote on 12/28/2006...


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

Alison J. (Alison) wrote on 5/17/2006...


A modern classic & a Newberry Honor Book, this is a great book for kids to learn about life in the middle ages.

Emily F. (nino) wrote on 2/8/2006...


great!

April M. wrote on 1/1/2006...


A great book of life in the Middle Ages for a young girl. For ages 12 and up.

Terri F. (Lulu68) wrote on 10/17/2005...


A Newbury Honor Book.
Catherine feels trapped. Her father is determined to marry her off to rich man- any rich man, no matter how awful.
But, by wit, trickery, and luck, Catherine manages to send several would be husbands packing.

Ruth R. (yomamaruth) wrote on 8/28/2005...


for young adult readers-award winning novel-young and independent when maidens weren't supposed to be that way (the middle ages), Catherine tries to avoid an arranged marriage


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