11TH DAY OF OCTOBER Last night my mother lost the child she carrief, the fifth I have seen die without ever having a chance to live. If God intends for me to be her last, I wish He would stop quickening her and then taking the baby away. She mourns so. I do not believe God means to punish my mother, who may not be learned or clever but is mostly good. I think He is just not paying enough attention.

— Catherine, called Birdy by Karen Cushman (Page 26)