January 14 feature: Catherine, Called Birdy

When I laughed out loud after reading the first couple pages of Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman, I knew immediately that this book would be a gem. Birdy is a 14-year-old daughter of a nobleman in medieval England. The novel reads like a diary and we get a fascinating sense of how it might have been years ago through Birdy's honest eyes. The reader admires Birdy's independent spirit and understands her revulsion of her father's plan to marry her off. She also has a wry sense of humor which really adds to the story immensely. The book might not be an easy read for those under age 11, depending on the reader's skill level. Of all the youth books I've read recently, this is one of my favorites. It's great historical fiction.