Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Laughs, science in new Callie series for younger readers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
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 :
- Illustrator : Teagan White
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : STEM , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals ( 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, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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