Pioneer Cat

by William H. Hooks, Charles Robinson (Illustrator)

Every pioneer girl should have a cat she takes with her on the Oregon Trail.
 
Nine-year-old Kate Purdy is traveling from Missouri to Oregon by wagon train, and she’s worried. She isn’t worried about how long the trip will be or the hardships she’ll have to suffer. 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. So no matter what happens, Snuggs the cat has to stay a secret!
 
History Stepping Stones now feature updated content that emphasizes Common Core and today’s renewed interest in nonfiction. Perfect for home, school, and library bookshelves!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Childrens, Adventure, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Chapter Books

64 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1988

About the author

Director of Publications at Bank Street College of Education

He collects folklore and lives in New York City

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate leaves her best friend and hometown behind to travel westward along the Oregon Trail. Her sadness and uncertainty over the trip and life in Oregon is eased by the companionship of her secret stowaway cat and a spunky new friend.

Emerging readers will enjoy the adventure and suspenseful moments along the trail while learning about the qualities pioneers needed to make the journey to a new home far away. A nice, simple, and exciting read that doesn't go into great detail yet still manages to convey the hardships and dangers of pioneer travel. Appropriate for young readers beginning to read chapter books who like cats, pioneer life, and a bit of suspense that isn't over frightening.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Follow Kate and her family as they travel in covered wagons from Jackson, Mississippi to Oregon. Can young Kate sneak a cat along for the trip?
If you like this, you might also like The Longest Journey: The Story of the Donner Party.

[Caterpickles · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter's favorite part of second grade was the time they spent studying the Oregon trail. She was particularly fascinated by the idea that there were no cats in Oregon at the time. if you wanted a cat, you had to bring your own. Problem was, no pets were allowed on the wagon train. As you might imagine, this is one story that captured the 8YO's complete attention.

[Ramona · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining book for young readers, this Stepping Stone story has excitement, examples of courage, the importance of friendship and a happy ending. As an adult reader, I of course, would have liked to have the characters fleshed out a bit more, and more historical detail, but its a good read for children!

[Kayla D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read for young children. Demonstrates the value of good companionship in times of great change.

[Erica Sonzogni · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple story about a girl and her trek to Oregon during the Westward Migration is the basis of Pioneer Cat by William H. Hooks. Kate is traveling with her family of five and devastated that she has to leave her best friend, Doris, behind. During her journey, she befriends Rosie, another young pioneer on the journey to find a new home with her father. Most importantly, a cat appears along their route which becomes Kate’s new companion. The family faces Native Americans, crosses a turbulent river, and birth of kittens brighten their spirits along their way.
Learning about American history is always interesting for young readers. Westward Expansion is one of those topics which involves many hardships for families and is intriguing to read. There are a variety of chapter books for this reading level regarding the pioneers and migrating west, yet this book is tame. Kate’s family had a relatively easy journey west when comparing other similar novels on this topic. The author could have included many more challenges along the way which would keep readers more entertained.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nine year old Kate Purdy is Traveling to Oregon by wagon traveling. She is worried about the cat Snuggs. The pretty little cat she took a shine to in Missouri and decide to bring along . Even thought no pets are allowed on the wagon ride!
Nice book!

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a bit boring but my 1st grader really liked it and was invested in the fate of the cat. He is the target audience I guess :)

[Susie McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with 2nd graders, illustrates some of the possible challenges faced while moving west in a wagon train, good example of a child's worries

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess I like it.

[Emily Riewerts]

Read a loud with kids. We enjoyed it. Nice when you want something short.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Purdys leave their home in Mississippi, Kate is upset about leaving her friend, Doris. Her heart-ache is greatly eased when Snuggs, the cat, befriends her in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Kate decides that she can't bear to leave Snuggs behind so she hides the cat in her trinket box. Still worried that her parents will find Snuggs, Kate asks Rosie Murphy, the girl in the wagon ahead of the Purdy's, to keep the cat for her. Everything goes well until the cat runs away during a buffalo stampede. This is a well-paced adventure for young readers.

[Children's Literature Project · Rating 4 out of 5]

DRA:28-30

Nine-year-old Kate Purdy is traveling with her family from Missouri to Oregon by wagon train. Despite the sadness to leave her best friend behind in her hometown, Kate has found a way to keep her occupied and entertained during the long trip. She is secretly bringing a stray cat she had found before departing Saint Joe. Overtime, she grows worried that her family will find out and force her to let it go, since pets are not allowed on the wagon train. She goes through a lot of trouble to maintain her cat a secret.

[Tiffany Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great way to maintain the kids attention as they are learning about the Oregon trail. It tells a story of a little girl and the cat she sneaks along the ride to the west so while you are following their story you learn about the hardships and things that happened along the journey west.

[Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This kept my little one's attention and did an excellent job of telling about the many perils of the Oregon trail without making it too horrifying. A good beginning chapter book for young girls.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 2-4 63pgs


9 year old Kate Purdy and her family are headed west on the Oregon Trail. Her mother said she could take only what would fit in the box she gave Kate. Kate decides to bring a cat she found since the cat fits in the box. But can she keep the cat a secret all the way to Oregon?

[Lori Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

My 1st grade daughter's book report book.

[Trista · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about a girl who brings a cat along on the Oregon Trail- discusses some of the obstacles the overlanders faced on the trail.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book for the reading level it was at for my literature circle group. Good background info for Oregon Trail!

[Madz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how Kate named the cat "Snuggs"!

[Robin]

Clara read this book during her rest time and then she narrated it while I wrote down her narration. She loved the book!

[WSL Library]

x2

[Melani Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the kids enjoyed listening to this while coloring.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a beginner reader, this was actually really good! So often the beginner reader stories are awful! This was a cute story, well written, and a wonderful introduction to historical fiction!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro to the Oregon Trail and has some nice moments of suspense!

[Kaulin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the buffalo part the best!