Catherine, Called Birdy

62 pages • 2 hours read

Catherine, Called Birdy

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1994

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Download PDF

Introduction

Before Reading

During Reading

After Reading

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

CHAPTERS 1-3

Reading Check

1. What event is Birdy forced to miss as punishment for impudence?

2. What does Birdy find most interesting about the manuscripts in the abbey?

3. What does Birdy put in George’s bed?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What agreement does Birdy make with her mother?

2. Why isn’t Morwenna able to recognize Birdy?

3. Why does Birdy ask Morwenna about spells?

Paired Resource

“The Legend of Saint George”

This is a version of the tale of Saint George and the Dragon from the 13th century.
What characteristics does Uncle George seem to share with Saint George? Why does Birdy look up to Uncle George?

CHAPTERS 4-6

Reading Check

1. What words does Thomas choose to say as his personal profanity?

2. What does Birdy’s mother find in her Twelfth Cake?

3. How is Joana related to the king?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Birdy think Perkin is lucky?

2. How does Birdy try to teach Latin to Perkin?

3. Why does Baron Fulk leave without a betrothal?

Paired Resource

“Christmas Holidays in the Middle Ages”

This article from the Reading Museum describes Christmas traditions celebrated in Medieval England.
This connects to the theme The Dominance Of Religion and the Promise of Hope in Medieval Society.
Using examples from the novel and this article, describe some of the traditions associated with Christmas in Medieval England. How do these traditions compare to modern holiday celebrations?

CHAPTERS 7-8

Reading Check

1. What animal does Birdy compare Agnes to?

2. To whom is Birdy betrothed?

3. What does Birdy add to her father’s sore throat remedy?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does Birdy think Jesus should have done instead of miraculously curing lepers?

2. What does Geoffrey do that upsets Birdy?

3. What does Uncle George say is the cause of Ethelfritha’s odd behavior?

Paired Resource

“Women in the Middle Ages”

This article from the World History Encyclopedia is a detailed exploration of women’s history in the Middle Ages.
This connects to the theme The Restrictive Roles of Gender and Class in the Medieval Era.
How does the author use Agnes as a foil for Birdy? What traits does Agnes display that conform to traditional gender values, and how does Birdy view these traits?

CHAPTERS 9-11

Reading Check

1. What does Birdy want to change her name to?

2. According to the physician, what is causing Birdy’s father’s toothache?

3. What gift does Stephen send to Birdy?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Birdy ask Perkin to kiss her?

2. How does Meg get Perkin’s grandmother’s cottage?

3. Why does Birdy think that her mother’s baby will be a girl?

Paired Resource

“Marriage Arrangements”

This article from the University of Nottingham describes the role of marriage in medieval society. It includes primary source documents to describe marriage in different social classes.
This connects to the theme The Restrictive Roles of Gender and Class in the Medieval Era.
Birdy is jealous of Meg’s ability to choose her husband, but what obstacles does Meg face? Is Meg truly as free as Birdy believes she is? According to the novel and this article, what was the importance of the dowry?

CHAPTER 12-AUTHOR’S NOTE

Reading Check

1. What is Birdy’s least favorite dish at the feast?

2. Whom does Aelis marry?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why is Birdy conflicted about spending her money to save the bear?

2. Why does Birdy call her father an “agent of a miracle”? (Chapter 13)

3. According to the author, what is the main difference in identity between modern people and people in medieval Europe?

Recommended Next Reads

The Midwife's Apprentice by Katherine Cushman

This novel by the same author follows the story of Brat, an unhoused teenage girl who becomes an apprentice to the village midwife.
Shared themes include The Restrictive Roles of Gender and Class in the Medieval Era and The Importance of Identity as Young People Come of Age.
Shared topics include female young adult protagonists in Medieval England.
The Midwife's Apprentice on SuperSummary

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

This historical fiction novel tells the story of Tree-ear, an orphan in 12th-century Korea, who embarks on a journey to fulfill his dream of becoming a master potter.
Shared themes include The Importance of Identity as Young People Come of Age.
Shared topics include the Medieval era.
A Single Shard on SuperSummary

Reading Questions Answer Key

CHAPTERS 1-3

Reading Check

1. A hanging (Chapter 1)

2. The pictures (Chapter 2)

3. A toad (Chapter 3)

Short Answer

1. Birdy agrees to write a diary, and, in return, she will not have to spin cloth. (Chapter 1)

2. Morwenna doesn’t recognize Birdy because Birdy dresses up like a boy. (Chapter 2)

3. Birdy asks Morwenna about spells because she wants to put a curse on Aelis and Uncle George. (Chapter 3)

CHAPTERS 4-6

Reading Check

1. “God’s feet” (Chapter 4)

2. A bean (Chapter 5)

3. They are cousins. (Chapter 6)

Short Answer

1. Birdy thinks that Perkin is lucky because he does not have anyone telling him what to do. (Chapter 4)

2. Birdy makes up her own stories to teach Latin to Perkin. (Chapter 5)

3. Baron Fulk leaves without a betrothal because Birdy’s father beat him at chess. (Chapter 6)

CHAPTERS 7-8

Reading Check

1. Weasel (Chapter 7)

2. Shaggy Beard (Chapter 7)

3. Extra dung (Chapter 8)

Short Answer

1. Birdy thinks that Jesus should have created an herb that people could continue to use to cure leprosy after his death. (Chapter 7)

2. Geoffrey mocks the way that Perkin walks, which upsets Birdy. (Chapter 8)

3. Uncle George says that Ethelfrida behaves oddly because she was struck by lightning a long time ago. (Chapter 8)

CHAPTERS 9-11

Reading Check

1. Aelgifu (Chapter 9)

2. Tooth worm (Chapter 10)

3. Bronze knife (Chapter 11)

Short Answer

1. Birdy wants Perkin to kiss her because she wants to see why everyone is always going on about it. (Chapter 9)

2. Birdy barters for the cottage with her father on Meg’s behalf. Birdy agrees to consider the marriage to Shaggy Beard and, in return, Meg will get the cottage. (Chapter 10)

3. Birdy thinks that her mother’s baby will be a girl because her mother’s legs are swelling. (Chapter 11)

CHAPTER 12-AUTHOR’S NOTE

Reading Check

1. Swan’s neck pudding (Chapter 12)

2. Robert (Chapter 13)

Short Answer

1. Birdy is conflicted about spending her money to save the bear because it would leave her indebted to Shaggy Beard, who would then expect her to accept his marriage proposal. (Chapter 12)

2. Birdy calls her father an “agent of a miracle” because her mother lived through a difficult birth after her father came into the room. (Chapter 13)

3. The author believes that the main difference is that modern people see themselves with more of an individual identity with individual accomplishments, whereas people in medieval Europe tended to think of themselves more as a part of a whole. (Author’s Note)