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Title details for Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman - Available

Catherine, Called Birdy

by Karen Cushman
Jenny Sterlin
Audiobook
2 of 2 copies available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
2 of 2 copies available

Heartland Award

Commonwealth Club of California Silver Medal

Newbery Honor Book

Horn Book Fanfare

Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts (NCTE)

Parenting Magazine Reading Magic Award

American Bookseller Pick of the Lists

South Carolina Children's Book Award

Golden Kite Award

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award (Vermont)

ALA Notable Children's Book

School Library Journal Best Book

New York Public Library's One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing

Read the book behind Lena Dunham's acclaimed new movie! This historical fiction classic, told in the form of a diary, has drawn in generations of readers and is a Newbery Honor Book.

Catherine feels trapped. Her father is determined to marry her off to a rich man—any rich man, no matter how awful.

But by wit, trickery, and luck, Catherine manages to send several would-be husbands packing. Then a shaggy-bearded suitor from the north comes to call—by far the oldest, ugliest, most revolting suitor of them all. Unfortunately, he is also the richest.

Can a sharp-tongued, high-spirited, clever young maiden with a mind of her own actually lose the battle against an ill-mannered, piglike lord and an unimaginative, greedy toad of a father? Deus! Not if Catherine has anything to say about it!

Catherine, a spirited and inquisitive young woman, narrates in diary form the story of her fourteenth year—the year 1290.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    December 31, 1996

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781449872847
      • File size: 188003 KB
      • Duration: 06:31:40

  • Languages

    • English

  • Levels

    • Lexile® Measure: 1090
    • Text Difficulty: 7-9

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      In England, in 1290, 14-year-old Catherine (called "Birdy" because of the many caged birds she keeps) is keeping a diary, as directed by her older brother. Her observations of life in the Middle Ages are perceptive and witty, and her thoughts and reflections about herself strike a contemporary chord. The book concludes with an excellent short description of medieval life. This Newbery Honor book is given a marvelous performance in British English. Sterlin delivers totally persuasive characters. She reads with such clarity and impeccable diction that even unfamiliar vocabulary is accessible. The wit and humor come across much better in the audio. In addition to having enjoyed a good story, young teens will come away with a vivid image of life in the Middle Ages. S.S.R. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      May 23, 1994
      ``You can run, but you can't hide'' is the rather belated conclusion reached by Catherine, called ``Birdy'' for her caged pets, in this fictive diary of a medieval young woman's coming-of-age and struggle for self-determination. Escaping regularly into a fantasy life of daring escapades and righteous battles, Birdy manages to postpone the inevitable sale of herself as a wife to a very unwelcome suitor. Just as she resigns herself to her fate with the comforting knowledge that ``I am who I am wherever I am,'' word comes that she will not have to marry the oaf after all. Birdy's journal, begun as an assignment, first wells up in the reluctant and aggressive prose of hated homework, and then eases into the lighthearted flow of descriptive adventures and true confessions; the narrative device reveals Birdy's passage from rebellious child to responsible adult. Despite the too-convenient ending, this first novel introduces an admirable heroine and pungently evokes a largely unfamiliar setting. Ages 12-up.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Through Catherine's diary, Karen Cushman gives a view of life in medieval England, including its fleas, crude manners, squalor and the special treat of clean bed linen. Kate Maberly is an excellent choice to read this day-by-day journal, though hearing each day announced is somewhat monotonous. Young Maberly transports the listener with her clipped, Continental voice just right for Catherine's age and setting. The language isn't forced or contrived, and Maberly's spry energy brings Catherine's thoughts and challenges alive for listeners. R.F.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      May 1, 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.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:1090
  • Text Difficulty:7-9

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