Miss Pickerell on the Moon

Miss Pickerell #5

by Dora Pantell, Ellen MacGregor (Credited as co-author), Charles Geer (Illustrator)

A mysterious animal epidemic sweeps Square Toe County, and Miss Pickerell's beloved cow and a newly acquired kitten named Pumpkins are gravely ill. When known antibiotics fail to halt the disease, Miss Pickerell carries out a daring plan--one that takes her to the moon.

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, Childrens, Chapter Books

Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

Reviews

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

When my mom was little, she was in a book club that mailed a book every month. When I was 9 or 10, she gave me about five of these books, and this was one of them. I didn’t even know it was part of a series until just recently.

I first read it when I was very young and found it a fun adventure. I just read it for the second time. It’s a quick-moving story that aims to introduce kids to certain scientific concepts.

It’s interesting to read a story about going to the moon that was written before the moon landing. It was written before humans ever saw the earth from a distance and before anyone saw what the far side of the moon looks like.



The blend of technology is odd. There’s film cameras and rotary dial telephones side by side with space ships; it kind of reminds me of “Lost in Space.” I don’t know if today’s kids will enjoy it as it is quite a different style than modern kids’ books. But it’s well written, from a time when writing in complete sentences wasn’t so rare.

Book Blog

[Raquel (Silver Valkyrie Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun little vintage children's sci-fi book. Not a lot of suspense as an adult reading it, but still amusing, and I would definitely recommend it for the intended age group.

From my perspective this was a book with zero concerning content for even the youngest readers. Though Miss Pickerell is often blunt and/or sassy in ways that might be interpreted as rude by some adults, I thought her intentions to be generally kind, and didn't mind her unusual levels of truthfulness.

My only caution here is make sure that young readers realize that this is old science fiction with a blend of science facts that agree with our current understanding, fictionalized science, and outdated science. Could be a great platform to teach them to research and find out which is which though!

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whole series of books by this author means that you can keep young adults, kids and even yourself busy as you follow Miss Pickerell on amazing journeys, this time it is to the moon.

[Crystal C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss Pickerell takes her sick cat on a dangerous and ill-advised lunar mission. Somehow no one dies.

[Gordon Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favourite books as a kid. Miss Pickerell travels to the moon to find an exotic fungus or mold so her cat can be cured of an infection. I read the entire series. All of the books were relatable-I could have seen my grandmother as Miss Pickerell.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting blend of science and science fiction in this novel. I found Miss Pickerell’s insistence on standing up for herself and correcting people’s misunderstandings to be refreshing - and unusual for a 1965 children’s novel!

[GORDON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Pickerell has a sick cat, and finds a cure on the moon.

[Lora Schreiber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute children's book from 1965...very out of date science compared to 2025, of course.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Pickerell made it to Mars before she went to the moon, and both of these incredible events happened before the first moon landing. So, I guess I'd call these books science fiction, or maybe fantasy because there's a lot more fiction here than there is science. But this book is worth reading because it shows science as being interesting and fun, which is probably more important than worrying about the misconceptions that are introduced. (Some books beg for an addendum that points out the science and addresses the fallacies. This is one of those books.) That said, I wish I'd read this to my nephews when they were in elementary school.

[Susannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is wonderful. A strong-minded, idiosyncratic woman goes on adventures! In this installment, she is on the moon seeking a cure for her ailing cow and kitty. Miss Pickerell says what's on her mind, takes no guff, knits, and is very smart.

I am especially glad to be reading this series to my son. There's lots of sneaky science facts woven in with the narrative, and he gets to see that not only men can be scientific. I can't wait to read the rest of the series with him.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd call this an oldie but a goodie. Miss Pickerell is a cool character because even though she is older and single, she is very independent. It's also interesting to note how much content on space travel and the moon there is for a book that was written in 1965. However, this is very much a kids book, and it might be a bit boring for some.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book. I have a hardback, library copy.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I ever remember reading cover to cover.

[Wyntrnoire]

A valiant attempt by another author but not the Miss Pickerell of the originals by Ellen MacGregor.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read, and my son loved it (he said 5 stars). Written a few years before anyone actually landed in the moon, and very predictable, but still fun.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Miss Pickerell's books. She started me loving science and every book made me happy. They all had her cow and her wonderful personality .

[Samantha Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very easy, but entertaining. I would do anything for my animals too.