Catherine, Called Birdy ~Katelyn Swails

                                                                

            For this book report I chose to read a book by Karen Cushman. This book is entitled Catherine, Called Birdy. It is about a young girl who does not really enjoy her lifestyle. Throughout this book Catherine, the main character, goes on many adventures and is quite mischievous. Catherine wants to experience life and all its opportunities but her tightly knit family will not let her do so.

            During this book, Catherine (aka Birdy) is in the process of finding a husband. Her Father is choosing these different men to come and see her. However, Birdy is not interested in being betrothed. She continually talks about how she wishes to go on crusades or even become a monk, instead of spinning, hemming, and embroidering. She even said how she is “a prisoner to [her] needle” (3). Along the way, Catherine manages to chase and scare off all of the potential groomsmen, except for the worst of them all, Shaggy Beard. He is said to be disgusting, old, and has even been married in the past. She cannot convince her father to send him away, so she runs away to her aunt and uncle’s house hoping that they will help her to escape. Realizing that they will not help her, she allows her uncle to return her home. Later, she learns that Shaggy Beard has in fact died and now she is promised to Shaggy Beard’s son, Stephen. Stephen, on the other hand, is clean cut, well mannered, and quite handsome. She is now so excited to be married to him, and says how “God is indeed watching over [her]” (163). Catherine continually counts down the days until she is to be married to Stephen. She says, “Only one month until Stephen!” (164).

            There are many historical aspects found throughout the novel. This story took place during the late 1200s. It talks about how the Jews are sent out, criticized, and ostracized from the community. Catherine is told about these Jews and is told not to associate with them, but, because she is so mischievous, she follows along with them when they leave her manor and realizes that they are not bad people, and they are just misunderstood. This book also states how someone of a higher class cannot marry someone of a lower class. Which I found very interesting because that would mean that if you were born into a low class, then you were stuck there forever. They live on manors and plantations in Catherine, Called Birdy as well. This exquisitely shows the time period in which it was set. Birdy wanted to become a monk and live on a manor with her brother, Edward, writing books instead of going back home to her sewing. However, she was not allowed to stay because she is a woman and women could not be monks. There is also mention of the crusades, which Birdy wanted to join but could not because her family would not allow it and because she was a woman. These are many of the excellent historical themes found throughout this novel.

            I believe that Karen Cushman was extremely qualified to write this novel. She had many facts that were historically correct during this time period of the late 1200s. Cushman had an outstanding education, making her qualified to write this novel. Karen Cushman has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Greek and English from Stanford University. She also has a Master’s Degree in Human Behavior and Museum Studies. She even won a Newberry Honor for Catherine, Called Birdy. This all proves that she has the credentials to write an astounding, historically correct novel, which she so greatly accomplished.

            Catherine, Called Birdy is a well-written and thought-provoking novel. Karen Cushman did a marvelous job writing this book about a young girl and her rambunctious and adventurous attitude towards life. However, Catherine did end up settling down for marriage to a nice, young, well-groomed gentleman. This was a very interesting read. It deserves its’ award of Newberry Honor because it had many historical features and held your attention throughout the novel.