Parents' Guide to

Catherine, Called Birdy

By Barbara Schultz, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Spirited novel offers warts-and-all view of the Middle Ages.

Book Karen Cushman Historical Fiction 1994
Catherine, Called Birdy Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all
age 15+

Based on 2 parent reviews

CommonSenseChristian
CommonSenseChristian Adult
May 3, 2015
age 12+

She's a Damsel, She's in Distress...She Can Handle This.

Thirteen-year-old Catherine is growing up in 1290 England. Thus, she's already expected to act like an adult as her mother trains her to become a lady of the manor. But Catherine wants nothing to do with this, and she certainly doesn't want her blowhard father to marry her off to a rich, ugly, unpleasant baron. Catherine will concoct any plan and pull any prank to keep herself from this fate, sometimes with hilarious results. She tells us all about it, and Medieval life, in the diary she keeps at the behest of her beloved brother Edward, a monk at a nearby monastery. Catherine is an intelligent, spunky character who's way ahead of her time. She struggles with things modern readers can relate to: obeying parents, accepting societal expectations, and crafting her own identity. Funnily enough, she wants to be anyone but herself; she considers becoming a nun, a juggler, a minstrel, and all manner of other occupations to avoid marriage. In the end though, she does learn her own value, and finds happiness in her position. The Middle Ages was a rather gross and gritty time period, and the author stays true to that. Bodily functions and diseases are discussed, as is death by childbirth, sometimes in detail. Sexual interaction, even incest, is hinted at with less than discretion. Catherine and other characters swear. Catherine's father regularly abuses her physically; she and other characters see this as completely normal. These things said, Catherine, Called Birdy is a great intro to the Middle Ages for appropriate audiences.

This title has:

Educational value
Great role models
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
Allthingsread
Allthingsread Adult
December 8, 2019
age 18+

A sad disappointment

The interesting description on the back of the book, and the awards the book has won, led me to believe this would be a fun and educational read, for me and my grandchildren. I was wrong. I finally gave up one third of the way through the book. The main character lies, swears, manipulates, denigrates her father, is very casual about premarital sex, looks up incantations, and is not a role model for anyone. There are many historical fiction books that give a good feeling for the culture and time, and also manage to portray values worth learning. This is not one of them. This book actually makes light of, or glorifies, things we would not want to see in our children.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY describes a year in the life of an upper-class 13-year-old girl whose father wants to marry her off in exchange for increased wealth. When the book begins, Catherine has just been given a journal by her brother Edward, and in it, she tells about her daily life, her frustration over the limited choices and activities available to girls, and her powerful wish not to marry any of the suitors that her father favors. Catherine is a smart, high-spirited, rebellious young girl, and she comes up with all kinds of schemes to avoid marriage. She also expresses disapproval of brutish behavior of any kind, including the Edict of Expulsion (1290), which decreed that all Jews must leave England. As Catherine is pulled, kicking and screaming, toward her own adulthood, she learns a lot about the value of home and family, and she finds peace in the knowledge that no one can take her true self away.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (4):

Catherine, Called Birdy holds special appeal for preteen girls who enjoy period fiction, as this Newbery winner accomplishes what the best historical novels do. It draws readers into a rich, well-realized world where the trappings are fascinatingly old-fashioned, but the characters are universal and relatable. This book teaches a great deal about England in 1290 -- revealing customs, gender roles, daily activities, religious views, etc. -- but does so within the framework of an engaging story about a smart, fierce, warmhearted girl that modern readers will love.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the important lesson Catherine learns from the Jewish family that spends a night at the Hall. What do you think that lesson is?

  • In what ways does good historical fiction give you a picture of life in another time? Do you think it would be nice to live in 13th-century England? Why or why not?

  • Try keeping a journal for a few days. Does it help you to express your feelings through journaling?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended book lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate