Reviews

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

fnurn's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad

4.0

I love Birdy's curious nature and her desire to learn. I'd have adored this as a kid.

shaunie991's review

4.0

4 stars:
Always enjoy Karen Cushman's writing. The second book I have read by her. As good as the first. Classic.

thearcticcircle's review against another edition

funny

4.5

buttongirl22's review

adventurous dark hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A nice young adult/middle grade book about a young girl coming of age. I found myself relating to Birdy while also getting frustrated with her, as I think any adult reading this book would. She grows and matures throughout the book and it would be a great book for girls around Birdy’s age, 14. 

wisteriend's review

3.0

I know I read this...but I should probably give it a reread since I can't remember anything. hahahaha

hwildy's review

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was a very short read yet very entertaining. The constant mischief of Catherine was very entertaining to read. What it lacked in atosphere it made up for in humour.

la_daze's review against another edition

adventurous funny reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

stephxsu's review

4.0

In no other book set in thirteenth-century England has such a willful and admirable protagonist starred. Catherine, the fourteen-year-old daughter of a knight whom she claims is a rude pig, is called Birdy, and somehow the name suits her. She’d much rather be a villager, frolicking outdoors all day and not being reprimanded for getting her feet and clothes dirty.

Unfortunately for her, a well-off young lady has but one aim in life, and that is to be married to a well-off man. Throughout the year that she documents in her journal, Birdy’s father attempts to find her a husband. However, Birdy manages to scare away each one with her liveliness and cleverness.

Birdy’s doing pretty well considering the number of suitors she’s managed to send away. Then she meets her match. A rich suitor, affectionately called by her as “Shaggy Beard,” wants to wed her. He doesn’t care that she is willful, independent, and not very ladylike. She’s expected to not care that he’s almost older than her father, ugly, bad-mannered, and gross. What will Birdy come up with in order to escape this most horrible fate for herself?

While not all readers will be satisfied with the ending, thinking that it’s a copout, the ending brought tears to my eyes. Birdy is such a fun main character who manages to also be eloquent and observant. Her concluding realization is wise beyond her years and marks her as a strong character who people should admire.

quitecontrarymary's review

This was one of my favs as a child and I just remembered it existed today.

melanie42's review against another edition

funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0