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Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet #5
A Squirrelly Situation
Featuring the charming characters from the Newbery Honor Book The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate , this exciting chapter book series introduces young readers to Callie Vee and the rough-and-tumble world of turn-of-the-century Texas. When Travis finds an abandoned baby squirrel, he brings him home and names him Fluffy. But Mother isn’t so sure that Fluffy is such a great family pet―and neither is Thud, the cat. Will Fluffy be able to steer clear of these two and find a home in the Tate household?
112 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2019
11 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Kelly
24 books536 followersJacqueline Kelly was born in New Zealand and moved with her parents to western Canada at an early age. She grew up in the dense rain forests of Vancouver Island, so you can imagine her shock some years later when her family moved to the desert of El Paso, Texas. She attended university in El Paso and medical school in Galveston (lovingly known as “Galvatraz” among the inmates). She practiced medicine for many years and then attended the University of Texas School of Law. She practiced law for several more years before realizing that what would really make her happy is to write fiction. Her first published short story appeared in 2001 in the Mississippi Review (one of her proudest accomplishments). Her debut novel, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, was released by Henry Holt on May 12, 2009 (another one of her proudest accomplishments).
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jacque...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jacque...
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 24, 2019
Solid entry in the series. This book felt a bit slice-of-life, as if it were a diary entry, which is actually an interesting approach to a series. Nothing earth shattering happens, but how many earth shattering things actually happen in a turn-of-the-century Fentress girl-cum-would-be-naturalist’s life?
September 19, 2022
3.5⭐️ Calpurnia and Travis are great in this story again. A small squirrel 🐿 is found by the siblings and Travis wants to save it, what a wonderful boy. I am still enjoying this series, this is book 5 and book 6 is coming out soon this month. Can’t wait 😃
September 8, 2019
Another excellent addition to this series.
November 1, 2021
Description
Bringing home a baby squirrel – what’s the worst that could happen?
When Calpurnia’s brother brings home a baby squirrel for their cat to mother with her young kitten, Calpurnia isn’t sure hoe well it will work. Would their cat mother it or eat it, what will their mother thing, and how will a squirrel take to living inside a kitchen?
Despite all the obvious questions and challenges, Calpurnia doesn’t think about how a pet squirrel could be helpful.
Disclaimer
I acquired this book for free, through a library box that provides free books to anyone for personal use (essentially a Little Free Library). There was no agreement with the author, publisher, or any third party that I would publish a review. The following review is unsolicited, unbiased, and all opinions are my own.
Review – Spoiler Free
This was a nice, short read. I loved the line illustrations throughout the book, you can get a good feeling of what all the characters are like even in such a short book, and there was some realistic problem solving peppered throughout.
Having picked this book up randomly, I knew from the title that it was part of a series, but didn’t know how far along through the series it was. Turns out it’s the fifth book in the second series about Calpurnia Tate – so it’s essentially the 7th book, that’s pretty far along through a storyline. You can read this as a standalone like we did, but you’ll definitely be lacking some background information. It’s supposed to be set in 1899, which I only had a suspicion of from a few illustrations and some lines that hinted at the timely social etiquette.
This is predominantly a slice-of-life story. There are a few bits that didn’t seem necessary or relevant to the story, but they don’t take away from it. And the core of the story doesn’t revolve around Calpurnia’s vet skills, though they are definitely used a few times.
I had a bit of annoyance with a scene where Calpurnia and her Grandfather deliberately lie to her mother. I have a hard time reading scenes with my children where, without an adequate explanation directly before or after, a character does something underhanded. This particular situation was explained a little, and I understood the explanation, but my children, having not been exposed to the expectations of 1899 (and not having read the previous books, or previous series to introduce it to them) simply saw it as a lie. I am always trying to be aware of what the books I read are subconsciously teaching, (whether they are doing it intentionally or not) – and this made me a little hesitant.
Overall, it was a nice read, but I wasn’t in love with it. I would like to read the first book of the first series, to see how much we enjoy it, and go from there. If we like the first series, then this story makes a nice addition to that world, but if we don’t, I’ll probably never read this again.
Bringing home a baby squirrel – what’s the worst that could happen?
When Calpurnia’s brother brings home a baby squirrel for their cat to mother with her young kitten, Calpurnia isn’t sure hoe well it will work. Would their cat mother it or eat it, what will their mother thing, and how will a squirrel take to living inside a kitchen?
Despite all the obvious questions and challenges, Calpurnia doesn’t think about how a pet squirrel could be helpful.
Disclaimer
I acquired this book for free, through a library box that provides free books to anyone for personal use (essentially a Little Free Library). There was no agreement with the author, publisher, or any third party that I would publish a review. The following review is unsolicited, unbiased, and all opinions are my own.
Review – Spoiler Free
This was a nice, short read. I loved the line illustrations throughout the book, you can get a good feeling of what all the characters are like even in such a short book, and there was some realistic problem solving peppered throughout.
Having picked this book up randomly, I knew from the title that it was part of a series, but didn’t know how far along through the series it was. Turns out it’s the fifth book in the second series about Calpurnia Tate – so it’s essentially the 7th book, that’s pretty far along through a storyline. You can read this as a standalone like we did, but you’ll definitely be lacking some background information. It’s supposed to be set in 1899, which I only had a suspicion of from a few illustrations and some lines that hinted at the timely social etiquette.
This is predominantly a slice-of-life story. There are a few bits that didn’t seem necessary or relevant to the story, but they don’t take away from it. And the core of the story doesn’t revolve around Calpurnia’s vet skills, though they are definitely used a few times.
I had a bit of annoyance with a scene where Calpurnia and her Grandfather deliberately lie to her mother. I have a hard time reading scenes with my children where, without an adequate explanation directly before or after, a character does something underhanded. This particular situation was explained a little, and I understood the explanation, but my children, having not been exposed to the expectations of 1899 (and not having read the previous books, or previous series to introduce it to them) simply saw it as a lie. I am always trying to be aware of what the books I read are subconsciously teaching, (whether they are doing it intentionally or not) – and this made me a little hesitant.
Overall, it was a nice read, but I wasn’t in love with it. I would like to read the first book of the first series, to see how much we enjoy it, and go from there. If we like the first series, then this story makes a nice addition to that world, but if we don’t, I’ll probably never read this again.
May 29, 2019
Readers familiar with this series' protagonist, Callie Vee and her brother Travis will know that they're in for a treat and that an animal will be involved. In this, the fifth book in the series, Travis brings home an orphaned baby squirrel, which will be the focus of the story line. The family cat, Idabelle, nurses it as well as her kitten, Thud, and Travis chooses a cat's name for his pet: Fluffy. Thud and Fluffy wreak havoc in the kitchen, and it's all the youngsters can do to keep them out of their cook, Viola's, way. Callie's nascent veterinary skills are put into use when Fluffy's tail needs surgery after an accident with a door. When time comes or the local fair and a contest is held to determine who killed the most squirrels and which boy has bagged the biggest squirrel. Travis is sure to win since Fluffy is plump, but another boy tries to trick his way to the prize, and there is disagreement as to whether the entry must be dead. As always with this series, there are good life lessons that are woven in among adventures in rural Texas in a rather unusual household. I love having Calpurnia as a role model for girls intent on careers in medicine or veterinary science and applaud her curiosity and unflappable nature. The illustrations add another layer of interest to this story. Each one is worth reading as is the book for older readers on which these are based.
October 17, 2019
A Squirrelly Situation by Jacqueline Kelly, 100 pages. Godwin Books, (Henry Holt/MacMillan), 2019. $16.
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
October 25, 2024
"A Squirrelly Situation" is book number five in this formula fiction series of "Calpurnia Tate: Girl Vet." Brother and sister duo Callie and Travis romp around their homestead keeping things in order and tending to animals. Callie is an apprentice to the veterinarian in town, and Travis has a heart for saving animals. That’s how the War of the Squirrels started. Travis found an abandon baby squirrel under a pecan tree out front and brought it inside to nurse from a newly lactating mama cat that only had one kitten. Much to their surprise, it worked! Said squirrel, now named Fluffy for its big thick tale, slowly became a not-so-welcome house guest. The children adore him; the adults are not as intrigued by the idea. But when the Fentress Fall Fair offered a rich reward for two types of squirrel competitions, Travis brought Fluffy in to amaze. What unfolds at the fair is a gut-wrenching display of bad sportsmanship that will have you going nuts! This tale of animal tenderness is sweet, heroic, and nothing short of fun.
This is a great text to use in an elementary classroom to write about and discuss what it means to play by the rules and why it’s important. Students could recount their own experiences with this essential question and brainstorm ways to take action against unsportsmanlike conduct. It is also a great text for a science lesson where students design a structure for a squirrel to thrive inside a house, just like Callie and Travis did.
This is a great text to use in an elementary classroom to write about and discuss what it means to play by the rules and why it’s important. Students could recount their own experiences with this essential question and brainstorm ways to take action against unsportsmanlike conduct. It is also a great text for a science lesson where students design a structure for a squirrel to thrive inside a house, just like Callie and Travis did.
May 13, 2019
Calpurnia Tate - Girl Vet is back with another family adventure. This time, her younger brother Travis has found a baby squirrel and brought it home. The indoor cat Idabelle has had a kitten, so Travis adds the baby squirrel to the litter and Idabelle manages to mother both the squirrel (Fluffy) and her own kitten (Thud). Of course Callie's mother doesn't like the idea, but Travis persuades her to let him keep the squirrel. But does a squirrel make a good pet.
I love this series so much! An easy chapter book combined with nostalgia and animals. What more could you ask for? Jennifer L. Meyer's illustrations bring the story to life. This is book 5, and although it can stand on its own, reading them in order is advised.
For this and more of my reviews, visit Kiss the Book at https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
I love this series so much! An easy chapter book combined with nostalgia and animals. What more could you ask for? Jennifer L. Meyer's illustrations bring the story to life. This is book 5, and although it can stand on its own, reading them in order is advised.
For this and more of my reviews, visit Kiss the Book at https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
February 24, 2021
I'm loving this series for younger readers with Calpurnia, her grandfather, and younger brother Travis. Travis was always my favorite of her brothers in the two Calpurnia Tate books. His love of all things furry and feathered and his desire to protect and care for them reminded me so much of myself as a kid, and pretty much as an adult too. One of the best things about the Calpurnia Tate books was the relationship that she had with her grandfather, a naturalist who was teaching Calpurnia, much to her mother's horror, as it was so unladylike!, all about the natural world around them. I hope this isn't the last book in this series and that there are more to come in the future. Can't wait to see what animal Travis finds that needs to be rescued, or what adventure Callie's grandfather takes her on down a river or through the brush.
April 7, 2019
Travis, Calpurnia's animal-loving brother, finds an abandoned squirrel and they raise it with the help of this Texas family's inside cat, Idabelle.
Kelly has managed to take the characters from her successful books for middle grade readers and place them in charming stories for early able readers of chapter books. They won't need to know much about the historic time period (early 20th century) to understand Calpurnia's Scientific Interest in animals and her little brother's instinctive love for them. Here, Travis manages to best a braggart in a squirrel shooting contest WITHOUT taking up arms. Funny and warm. This is the fifth in the series and still a treat to read.
Kelly has managed to take the characters from her successful books for middle grade readers and place them in charming stories for early able readers of chapter books. They won't need to know much about the historic time period (early 20th century) to understand Calpurnia's Scientific Interest in animals and her little brother's instinctive love for them. Here, Travis manages to best a braggart in a squirrel shooting contest WITHOUT taking up arms. Funny and warm. This is the fifth in the series and still a treat to read.
February 21, 2023
I like this book because there are animals in it. Travis is the boy who likes animals and he wants to adopt all the animals that he sees.
In a fair you can get prizes like the most delicious food, the best trained animals, and squirrel shootings.
Whoever gets the heaviest squirrel wins the prize. There was a boy called Woodrow cheated in the contest by putting BBs in the squirrel to make it heavier. The judges made him got nothing, no prizes.
Woodrow’s squirrel weighed four pounds, while Travis’s is three pounds.
But without the BBs, Woodrow’s weighed only 2 pounds.
In the end Travis got the prize, and Fluffy the squirrel also got the prize.
(By Ryan H)
In a fair you can get prizes like the most delicious food, the best trained animals, and squirrel shootings.
Whoever gets the heaviest squirrel wins the prize. There was a boy called Woodrow cheated in the contest by putting BBs in the squirrel to make it heavier. The judges made him got nothing, no prizes.
Woodrow’s squirrel weighed four pounds, while Travis’s is three pounds.
But without the BBs, Woodrow’s weighed only 2 pounds.
In the end Travis got the prize, and Fluffy the squirrel also got the prize.
(By Ryan H)
January 1, 2021
I normally would not read a children's book if you beat me with a stick. I was clearing out files and, not knowing who or what Calpurnia Tate was, I took a chance and started reading it.
And, to my surprise, I finished it!
'A Squirrelly Situation' is a rather charming turn of the 20th century story set in rural Texas.
Travis brings animals home, Calpurnia looks after them, adults are peripheral, and the story is well told.
I won't read any more in the series but I can certainly see the attraction for young readers - and why their parents would chose this series for them.
And, to my surprise, I finished it!
'A Squirrelly Situation' is a rather charming turn of the 20th century story set in rural Texas.
Travis brings animals home, Calpurnia looks after them, adults are peripheral, and the story is well told.
I won't read any more in the series but I can certainly see the attraction for young readers - and why their parents would chose this series for them.
August 29, 2019
I am still loving this series for newly independent readers. Kelly does a wonderful job of telling a story in a historical setting for this age level, giving a sense of the time yet not bogging down the story.
Here Travis takes on a braggart/bully in a shooting contest while being completely true to his nature-loving self.
I loved the descriptions of Idabelle, Thud and Fluffy and the havoc in the kitchen. Charming as always.
Here Travis takes on a braggart/bully in a shooting contest while being completely true to his nature-loving self.
I loved the descriptions of Idabelle, Thud and Fluffy and the havoc in the kitchen. Charming as always.
November 28, 2020
Calpurnia Tate’s brother Travis brings home a baby squirrel, and chaos ensues.
These are shorter chapter books featuring the characters from The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.
Different from other animal books, as wild animals are featured, and it takes place during the late 1890s. Not my favorite. Not sure if you need to read in order, but I probably shouldn’t have started with book #5. I couldn’t resist the adorable squirrel on the cover.
These are shorter chapter books featuring the characters from The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.
Different from other animal books, as wild animals are featured, and it takes place during the late 1890s. Not my favorite. Not sure if you need to read in order, but I probably shouldn’t have started with book #5. I couldn’t resist the adorable squirrel on the cover.
May 5, 2019
These are all cute little stories. Being targeted for younger readers, they don't have the depth of the Calpurnia novels, but they have many of the same elements, and are just fun. This one is no exception. A fairly high level vocabulary, but a very accessible story.
May 11, 2019
This is such a cute series—I loved the first two novels about smart, science-loving Calpurnia more than these 100-page “girl vet” stories, but they’re still a fun continuation.
June 23, 2019
This is a fun historical fiction series for younger readers. I like it because it's well-written and educational and not every beginning chapter book is. :)
September 18, 2019
Another cute story in the Calpurnia Tate: Girl Vet series. Travis brings home a baby squirrel and the house cat adopts the critter.
October 10, 2019
Another great read about girl vet Callie and her brother Travis! This entire series is great and gets more endearing as it goes. Wild hogs, squirrels, and rotten liars make for a good story.
January 20, 2020
Maybe more like a 3.5. I have mixed feelings about this book...
February 5, 2020
Great fun to read aloud
September 18, 2022
Another fantastic job - historical fiction and entertaining! Good for 2-4th graders!
November 15, 2024
Travis is getting a little braver, and a little smarter. It's so nice to see character development in a series meant for the youngest independent readers.
December 17, 2025
Cute read for the young animal lover
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews