Catherine, Called Birdy

Infobox Book |
name = Catherine, Called Birdy
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Cover
author = Karen Cushman
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre =
publisher = Harper Trophy
release_date = 1994
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 224 pp
isbn = ISBN 0-06-440584-2
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Catherine, Called Birdy" is the first children's novel written by Karen Cushman. It was published in 1994, and it won the Newbery Honor in 1995.

Plot summary

In Medieval England in 1290 Catherine, the spirited daughter of Sir Rollo and Lady Aislinn, has been asked by her brother the monk to keep a journal; she begins when she's 13 and ends at 14. "Catherine, called Birdy" is that journal, and describes all her travels, thoughts, and activities.

Birdy is the only daughter and youngest child of a country knight and an English noblewoman. The first part of her journal describes her life as a 'lady' in 13th century England, which includes tangling spinning, picking out embroidery, mixing foul smelling vats of goose fat soap, and doctoring the sick and afflicted. She detests these tasks and frequently longs for the carefree and unfettered life of a peasant.

Not many weeks after Catherine begins her journal, her father begins the process of matching Catherine with the wealthiest suitor he can find. Appalled by what she perceives as auctioning her off to the highest bidder, Catherine vows action. Throughout the following months, she drives off each potential suitor, infuriating her father. As the search for a potential husband continue, Catherine begins to reflect more frequently on the ideas of hatred, marriage, misery, and her limited ability to steer the course of her own life.

Finally, despite Catherine's best efforts, she is matched with the ugliest, foulest and richest suitor of them all, Shaggy Beard. Catherine continues to hope that she will find a way to end this engagement also, but as her marriage day draws nearer, her hopes begin to wane. Catherine eventually runs away from home in her desperation to avoid marriage to Shaggy Beard; she finds refuge with her aunt, but realizes that she has been acting childishly and returns home. Upon her return, she is told that Shaggy Beard has been killed in a tavern brawl and she will now be married to Shaggy Beard's son, Stephen, who has inherited his father's titles and estate. Catherine is much happier with this match (especially because Stephen also enjoys reading and learning, and unlike his father, bathes) and ends her diary with only one month to go before her wedding.