Genre 5: Historical Fiction: CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY

Book cover accessed from: goodreads.com

Bibliographic data:

Cushman, Karen. 1995. Catherine, called birdy. New York: Harper Trophy.           
ISBN 0-06-440584-2

Summary:

Catherine’s 14^th year of life is one that brings her much turmoil. She has to deal with her abominable father’s decision to marry her off, or according to Catherine, “sell her like a cheese to some lack-wit seeking a wife.” (p.6) She feels trapped! She keeps a journal of her day-to-day life, her dreams, and her fears. Her diary is a great account of how she avoids her father, her needlework, and most of all, marriage!

Critical analysis:

Catherine’s diary of the year 1290 gives us a picture/glimpse of what life was like in the Middle Ages. Her wit, trickery, and imagination make her a believable character with which readers can identify with. She “seems to be like us,” but she (and other characters) are still grounded in the clothing, attitudes, and language appropriate to their time. What 14 year old teenager doesn’t think their parents are ruining their lives? “24^th DAY OF SEPTEMBER…The stars and my family align to make my life black and miserable. My mother seeks to make me a fine lady—dumb, docile, and accomplished—so I must take lady-lessons and keep my mouth closed.” (p. 2)

The plot presents the Middle Ages accurately (not sugar coated), in terms that children are able to understand, and realistic to the period. In addition, the plot is not overwhelmed by details. Catherine’s diary is not written in overwhelming details she writes things in a straight forward manner and as she sees them and depending on how she is feeling on the day she writes—“16^th DAY OF SEPTEMBER…Spinning. Tangled.” “1^st DAY OF SEPTEMBER…More lady lessons. I let my mother instruct me but once I leave her I plan to do as I please. The pig who wishes to wed me liked me well enough when I did not walk with my eyes cast down and hands clasped. God’s thumbs! If he doesn’t like me to grab up my skirts and run, he can send me back. Oh that he would!”(p. 190).

The setting, the year 1290—Middle Ages, is an integral part of the story. The time and place are explicit, vividly described, and the recreation of the time and place contribute to the authenticity. “30^th DAY OF OCTOBER, Feast of Saint Marcellus the Centurion, killed for resigning from the army…I tried after dinner today to get George to play chess with me, but he said he promised Lady Aelis a walk to acquaint her with our manor. Corpus bones! It is moat and muddy yard, house and stables and barn, dovecote, privy, and pig yard. She could see it all from the hall door.” (p.40)

Catherine, Called Birdy clearly reflects the morals of the times, but is still relevant to today. In addition it reflects the universal theme of freedom or the lack of freedom and timeless parallels. Even though Catherine’s family is wealthy, by the standards of her time, she has to do housework and share her bedroom with servants and guests. The worse loss of freedom is having her greedy father choose when and who she will marry and have no choice. Catherine’s nickname, Birdy, the caged birds she keeps in her bedroom, the cocks that are set free in the market,  and her constant challenges against the rules she must live by also echo the theme of lack of freedom and want of self expression and making choices.  Catherine makes a list of all the things girls are not allowed to do: “go on crusade, be horse trainers, be monks, laugh very loud, wear breeches, drink in ale houses, cut their hair, piss in the fire to make it  hiss, wear nothing, be alone, get sunburned, run, marry whom they will, and glide on ice” (p. 83-84). Lady Aislinn, asks her daughter, “Why not cease your fearful pounding against bars of your cage and be content?” (p.53)  In the end, Catherine finally understands the words of the wise Jewish woman and chooses to accept her fate of an arranged marriage, but declares; “I cannot escape my life, but can only use my determination and courage to make it the best I can.” (p. 203)

Cushman, through her voice and manner, clearly captures the flavor of the times and the speech patterns of the era. She has woven literary elements together to create a seamless story that just happens to be set in a previous historical time. "Corpus Bones! I utterly loathe my life."

Cushman has balanced fact and fiction in telling Catherine’s story. In addition, in the Author’s Note, she includes and discusses information about the period in which the book is set. She has also included a list of books that will help readers learn about medieval England, books that will help readers get a sense of the Middle Ages from first-hand accounts, and a list of stories set in or near the Middle Ages.

Review excerpt(s):

School Library Journal, 09/01/1997

Gr 6-9?The 14-year-old daughter of a rustic knight records the events of her days in the year 1290, writing perceptive, scathing, and often raucously funny observations about her family, friends, and would-be suitors. A delightful, rebellious heroine, determined not to marry the man of her father's choice. (June 1994) ^[2]

Publishers Weekly, 05/15/1995

A Newbery Honor Book, this witty and wise fictive diary of a 13th-century English girl, according to PW, ``introduces an admirable heroine and pungently evokes a largely unfamiliar setting.'' Ages 12-up. (May) ^[2]

Connections:

Students can compare/contrast Catherine’s life with their own and work on a novel study of characterization and setting.

Listen to an audio clip of  Catherine, called birdy ^[3] http://www.karencushman.com/books/catherine.html

Access discussion guide: ^[3] http://www.karencushman.com/pdfs/DG_catherine.pdf

access Lesson Plan: ^[3]

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=780

awards: ^[3]

ALA Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Notable Book for Children
ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
Booklist Editors' Choice
Golden Kite Award
Horn Book Fanfare Selection
IRA Teachers' Choice
Newbery Honor Book
School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year
American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists"
South Carolina Book Award
New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
Parenting Magazine Reading Magic Awards
Commonwealth Club Silver Medal
Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts
Commonwealth Club of California Medal
Carl Sandburg Literary Arts Award
International Board on Books for Young People Honor List
ABC Children's Booksellers Choice Award

Bibliographies:

Cushman, Karen. 1995. Catherine, called birdy. New York: Harper Trophy. ISBN 0-06-440584-2

Cushman, Karen. 1995. Catherine, called Birdy. HarperTrophy, 1995. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed July 29, 2011).

Karen Cushman. http://www.karencushman.com (accessed July 30, 2011).

Citations:

[1] Cushman, Karen. 1995. Catherine, called birdy. New York: Harper Trophy. ISBN 0-06-440584-2

[2] Cushman, Karen. 1995. Catherine, called Birdy. HarperTrophy, 1995. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed July 29, 2011).

[3] Karen Cushman. http://www.karencushman.com (accessed July 30, 2011).