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Content snapshot
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Violence
Barely any
Period violence appropriate to the medieval setting; Birdy faces threats appropriate to the genre
Language
Barely any
Mild language in Cushman's medieval voice
Sexual Content
Barely any
Period-appropriate content around marriage; no explicit content
Substance Use
None
Period-appropriate drinking
Emotional Intensity
Barely any
Low psychological intensity; Birdy's wit and resilience make the novel fundamentally warm
What this book is about
Karen Cushman's Newbery Honor novel is told through the diary of Catherine, a thirteenth-century English girl whose father is trying to marry her off to any man with money, and who is determined to drive each suitor away. Cushman writes with genuine wit and historical accuracy; Birdy's voice is one of the great voices in YA historical fiction. A warm, funny, and occasionally sad portrait of medieval girlhood. Appropriate for all ages.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
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