Cushman, Karen. Catherine Called Birdy. New York: Clarion Books, 1995. 224 pages. $6.99 ISBN 978-0064405843
Plot Summary: Catherine's father has decided she need to be married. He brings over suitors which she gets rid of and he is forced to take serious action. He chooses one man that Catherine just can't stand, although his son isn't too bad. Catherine tries very hard to get rid of him.
Critical Evaluation: This is another example of humorous treatment of a big problem in the life of a medieval girl. Catherine is believable and the reader roots for her freedom to choose her husband.
Reader's Annotation: Catherine does not want to get married to just anyone her father wishes, so she devises some plans to prevent the marriage.
Author Bio: Karen Cushman is the author of several historical fiction novels for tweens. She grew up in Los Angeles, CA but currently lives in Vashar Island, WA with her husband Phil. Karen studied Greek and English at Stanford University, and later earned master's degrees in both human behavior and museum studies.
Genre: historical fiction
Curriculum Ties: This would work well paired with a medieval/renaissance history unil.
Booktalking Ideas: Talk about what it would be like to be forced into an arranged marriage as a teenager.
Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 9-14
Challenges: The main character is a teen and this could cause some concern because the book is about her trying to get out of an arranged marriage. Although it was a common age back then, it isn't accepted now.
Reason for including: This was the first Karen Cushman book I ever read and has a special place in my heart.
Critical Evaluation: This is another example of humorous treatment of a big problem in the life of a medieval girl. Catherine is believable and the reader roots for her freedom to choose her husband.
Reader's Annotation: Catherine does not want to get married to just anyone her father wishes, so she devises some plans to prevent the marriage.
Author Bio: Karen Cushman is the author of several historical fiction novels for tweens. She grew up in Los Angeles, CA but currently lives in Vashar Island, WA with her husband Phil. Karen studied Greek and English at Stanford University, and later earned master's degrees in both human behavior and museum studies.
Genre: historical fiction
Curriculum Ties: This would work well paired with a medieval/renaissance history unil.
Booktalking Ideas: Talk about what it would be like to be forced into an arranged marriage as a teenager.
Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 9-14
Challenges: The main character is a teen and this could cause some concern because the book is about her trying to get out of an arranged marriage. Although it was a common age back then, it isn't accepted now.
Reason for including: This was the first Karen Cushman book I ever read and has a special place in my heart.
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