Crossword Puzzle Pack for Use with Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

These Catherine, Called Birdy crossword puzzles check vocabulary and story details from Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman, written for Grades 6-9. It is a no-prep 48-page printable PDF with answer keys, sold on Teachers Pay Teachers.

At a glance

• Book: Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
• Grades: 6th–9th
• Resource type: Crossword puzzles
• Format: 48-page printable PDF
• Answer key: Included
• Teaching duration: 1 Week
• Standards: L.6.4, L.6.6, L.7.4, L.7.6, L.8.4, L.8.6, L.9-10.4, L.9-10.6 and more
• Price: $3.00

Take vocabulary practice beyond recognition with this no-prep crossword puzzle pack for Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman. These 12 crosswords push students to recall, infer, and support their answers with text evidence while they explore Birdy’s medieval world.

If your students can spot words in a word search but still struggle to actually use and apply the novel’s rich vocabulary, this pack is the perfect next step. Each clue asks students to think about character motivation, plot cause-and-effect, setting, medieval customs, and vocabulary in context — making it ideal for grades 6–9 and easy to differentiate.

What’s Included:

• 12 total crossword puzzles — 10 chapter-by-chapter units covering all 13 diary entries, plus 2 whole-book review crosswords
• Clue types include definition-based, fill-in-the-blank, and contextual clues that require students to reference the text
• Built-in differentiation: 5 easier / 7 medium / 3 harder clues per chapter (5 / 10 / 5 for the combined reviews) so every reader is stretched but supported
• Complete answer keys for every puzzle, with engaging medieval-themed clues that keep students curious about Catherine’s world
• Well-illustrated, print-and-go layout with generously spaced clues, professional typography, and copy-friendly margins
• Available in both full-color and black-and-white versions (ink-saving!)
• 48 pages total

Use these crosswords for chapter-end comprehension checks, literacy centers, sub plans, early-finisher enrichment, homework, and end-of-unit review before a culminating test. They’re also great for pre-quiz review or as discussion prompts to get students talking about the text.

Each puzzle strengthens close reading, inference, and vocabulary acquisition as students practice citing textual evidence (RL.6.1–RL.9.1), determine word meaning in context (RL.6.4–RL.9.4), and acquire grade-level academic and domain vocabulary (L.6.4–L.9.4, L.6.6–L.9.6).

Get this resource on Teachers Pay Teachers today and give your students a vocabulary challenge that actually deepens their understanding of Birdy’s medieval world!

Disclaimer:

This product is an independent supplemental resource designed for use with Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the author or publisher. All references to characters, settings, and events are used for educational purposes only to support reading comprehension and classroom instruction. This resource does not include the original text. Students must have their own copy of the book to complete the activities. All content in this resource is original and created by the seller.

Fonts Used:
Roboto by Christian Robertson | Open Sans by Steve Matteson | Playfair Display by Claus Eggers Sørensen | Lexend by Dr. Bonnie Shaver-Troup & Thomas Jockin | Poppins by Jonny Pinhorn | Montserrat by Julieta Ulanovsky
(All fonts are available via Google Fonts and licensed for commercial use under the SIL Open Font License.)

More Catherine, Called Birdy resources

All Catherine, Called Birdy activities & puzzles

Frequently asked questions

What grade level is this for?

It is written for Grades 6-9 (TpT lists 6th-9th).

How long is it?

It is a 48-page printable PDF. Suggested teaching time: 1 Week.

Are answer keys included?

Yes. Answer keys are included.

Do students need their own copy of Catherine, Called Birdy?

Yes. This is an independent supplemental resource and does not include the text of Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman, so students need their own copy.

How do I get this resource?

It is sold on Teachers Pay Teachers ($3.00) as a PDF download. Use the Buy on TpT button on this page.