Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

With one of the best openings of a middle school novel, this diary-style historical fiction book is a joy to read. For me, the best part is the lead character, Birdy, who has a strong and engaging voice, one that pulls you in and makes you feel as if you have found a new best friend. The description of the period (a noblewoman in the late 1290s) is dead on, and readers are likely to have a strong sense of the period after reading it without feeling like they have been “taught” the information. I liked this book a tad better than Cushman’s other historical piece, “Midwife’s Apprentice” solely because the protagonist is so enjoyable. She does have a good deal of “beyond the period” feminist sensibilities, which I generally do not like, but the book as a whole is written so well I honestly didn’t mind it. Thoroughly enjoyable.