Skunked!: Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet, Book 1
Laughs, science in new Callie series for younger readers.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Skunked! is another hilarious, educational, kind-hearted and scrape-filled tale about characters first introduced in author Jacqueline Kelly's popular middle-grade Calpurnia Tate series -- but for younger readers just getting into chapter books. The first installment in a new series for this audience, it offers plentiful illustrations, hair-raising adventures, heartwarming moments, and also a bit of science (especially about skunks) and history (the story takes place in Texas at the turn of the 20th century). While the original series includes some heavy stuff -- especially about the pure unfairness of not being taken seriously just because you're a girl -- the Girl Vet series takes 12-year-old Callie's brains and educational ambitions as a given. She gets plenty of opportunity to put them to use as her softhearted (and obviously beloved) younger brother, Travis, drags her into yet another of his animal-rescue schemes against her better judgment. The ensuing hijinks may lead to some interesting, age-appropriate discussions about loyalty, thinking for yourself, and when it's best to do the wrong thing for the right reason. Or maybe vice versa.
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What's the Story?
As SKUNKED! opens in rural Texas at the turn of the 20th century, 12-year-old Calpurnia Tate, only girl in a family of six boys, loves science and wants to grow up to be a vet. Her science-minded grandfather and the town veterinarian encourage her and teach her new things. Which is lucky, because her younger brother, Travis, never met a wild animal he didn't want to adopt, and somehow always gets Callie involved in his schemes. This time, softhearted Travis has really gone too far -- he's rescued a pair of orphaned baby skunks. Note: This is not a new installment in the Calpurnia Tate series but the launch of a new early-reader series about the same characters.
Is It Any Good?
It's crazier than a pair of baby skunks in a one-room schoolhouse as Jacqueline Kelly brings Newbery Honor-winning heroine Calpurnia Tate to the early-reader set in a heartwarming, hilarious tale. Skunked! brings plenty of laughs and some age-appropriate science to the story of foundlings Stinky and Winky, their kindhearted 11-year-old rescuer Travis, and smart, spirited Callie, who has to do a lot of creative thinking and talking to keep them all out of trouble. Parental heads up: Callie's grandfather helpfully provides a recipe for a de-skunking concoction that will explode if kept in a jar.
It's a fun read, about the equivalent length of a single chapter in the middle-grade books. Plentiful illustrations add to the fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Calpurnia Tate stories, and why the author might have wanted to do some stories for younger kids. If you've read The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, how do you think Skunked! compares? Which do you like better?
In Skunked! and elsewhere, Callie often complains about how Travis is too softhearted -- but somehow always ends up helping him out. Is she more softhearted than she lets on? Do you know anyone like that?
Why is it not a good idea to keep wild animals as pets? Why do some people do it anyway?
Book Details
- Author: Jacqueline Kelly
- Illustrator: Teagan White
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Topics: STEM, Brothers and Sisters, Great Girl Role Models, Horses and Farm Animals, Science and Nature, Wild Animals
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
- Publication date: October 4, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 7 - 10
- Number of pages: 112
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 13, 2017
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