Pioneer Cat (Stepping Stone, paper) [Paperback]

William H. Hooks (Author), Charles Robinson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 1988 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: A Stepping Stone Book(TM)

Nine-year-old Kate Purdy is traveling from Missouri to Oregon by wagon train, and she’s worried about Snuggs—the pretty little cat who took a shine to her and decided to come along for the ride even though there are no pets allowed on the wagon train. No matter what happens, Snuggs the cat has to stay a secret!
“An action-packed, highly readable tale.”—Publishers Weekly
William H. Hooks has written over 40 other books for children, including The Legend of the Christmas Rose and The Mighty Sante Fe.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kate and her family have arrived in St. Joseph, Mo., to join a wagon train heading for Oregon. Kate finds a cat and is determined to keep it. She smuggles the animal aboard the family wagon and enlists the help of her irrepressible new friend Rosie. The action-packed, highly readable tale includes such hazards as a buffalo stampede, a perilous river crossing and a dangerous encounter with Indians. Throughout Kate and Rosie struggle to keep Snuggs a secret. When Snuggs is finally discovered, there is a surprising twist, and the story ends with the wagon train's arrival in Oregon. Readers of this well-paced, first-person narrative will want to know more about the three adventurers in this story; Kate, Rosie and Snuggs are memorable travelers of the Oregon trail. Ages 8-10.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

"Moving West on the Oregon Trail, nine-year-old Kate Purdy and her family ward off a buffalo stampede and an Indian attack, and deal with a stowaway cat and her kittens, all the while chronicling the trip itself and the developing friendship between Kate and Rosie Murphy. Hooks gives the essence of Kate's sensitive and cunning nature while portraying Rosie as a self-sufficient young girl. The fast-moving plot helps readers along."--School Library Journal.  

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (October 12, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039482038X
• ISBN-13: 978-0394820385
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.2 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #74 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings yesterday into focus for today's girl, July 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Pioneer Cat (Stepping Stone, paper) (Paperback)

My 7 yr. old advanced reader found this book not only reasonable to read, but it held her excitement at wanting to know what would happen to each of the characters as the wagon train progressed on its journey and met real dangers. It was not too scary, but filled with the concerns of real life in the pioneer days. The story developed the unfolding of a girlhood friendship in such a way as to show a young reader ways to ease into a relationship. It was a delight to read with a child and educational in many ways.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Pioneer Cat-Chapter 3, February 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Pioneer Cat (Stepping Stone, paper) (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this story. I really liked it when her family felt sorry for her and let her have that cat. It's about a little girl on her way to Missouri with her family, Ma, Pa, Kate, Benjy, Duffy, and Doris.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pioneer Cat - A Wonderful Book, November 26, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Pioneer Cat (Stepping Stone Books) (Hardcover)

I thought "Pioneer Cat" was a very wonderful book. I liked it because I love cats, and I like historical fiction. I liked all the characters because when I read the book, I felt like I was watching a movie. I would recommend this book to mostly girls because it is about a girl trying to hide her cat from everyone on the wagon train except for her new friend. I am eight years old, and this book was fun to read. It was not too hard and not too easy, but some words were challenging.