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Karen Cushman
Karen Cushman is the author of Prentice Hall Literature -- Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes -- Bronze Level. Her work focuses on educational literature, providing accessible and engaging reading experiences.
Catherine, Called Birdy
Synopsis
¨Catherine's mother wants to teach her the skills of the lady of the manor and to prepare her to be a gentle and patient wife. Her father only wants her to be married off, and profitably. Catherine herself hopes to become a painter, a Crusader, a maker of songs, a peddlar, a monk, a ministrel, a wart charmer... Of all the possibilities, she has ruled out only one: being sold like cheese to the highest bidder. Against a vivid background of everyday life on a medieval English manor, Catherine's earthy, spirited account of her fourteenth year is a richly entertaining story with an utterly unforgettable heroine.¨ -Karen Cushman
Genres
Characters
Lady CatherineProtagonist
A spirited and independent fourteen-year-old girl who resists her father's attempts to marry her off for profit and dreams of a life beyond the traditional roles for women in medieval England.
Catherine's motherSupporting
Catherine's mother attempts to teach her the skills of a lady of the manor and prepare her for a gentle and patient wife, often clashing with Catherine's rebellious nature.
Catherine's fatherSupporting
Catherine's father is determined to marry her off profitably, viewing her as a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder.
Frequently asked questions
Is Catherine, Called Birdy a standalone book?
The story of Catherine's fourteenth year is self-contained within this novel, offering a complete narrative arc without requiring further reading.
Is there a movie adaptation of Catherine, Called Birdy?
A film adaptation of Catherine, Called Birdy was released, bringing the diary entries and medieval setting to the screen.
What awards did Catherine, Called Birdy win?
Catherine, Called Birdy was recognized with a Newbery Honor, acknowledging its distinguished contribution to American literature for children.