Catherine, Called Birdy

Cushman, K. (1994) Catherine, Called Birdy. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

Brief Annotation: In the year 1290, a fourteen year old girl named Birdy begins a diary which is the style of this book. Birdy's father has decided it is her time to wed, and Birdy makes it her sole mission to spurn any suitors whom her father sends her way. Through various ruses and tricks she sends many of them running, though one, whom she nicknames "Shaggy Beard," proves too stubborn to run. But he is a challenge that Birdy is ready to accept. The book provides a look at a strong, female character in a time when women were oppressed and second-class.

Genre: Historical Fiction (Novel)

Grade Level: 5-8

Readers who will like this: Readers looking for information on the middle ages, readers (perhaps more young women) who are coming of age.

Response/Rating (1-4):****. I loved this book when I was in middle school, and I was really excited to read it again. It still is very engaging and funny. I love that the main character is a strong female, and she is one who doesn't bend to rules. I think it is a great addition to any student's book collection.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: How have women's rights changed since the middle ages? How is Birdy ahead of her time?

Reading Strategies Connection: Using a Character Blog (Yopp & Yopp. Pp 86) would be a really great partner to this story because the story itself is written in diary form. Using a character blog for perhaps the other characters in the story would provide an interesting contrast to Birdy herself. The students will write blogs or journal entries as the other characters in the story, or as Birdy herself in a new, made up situation.