Kate Purdy smuggles a cat on a wagon train heading to Oregon. She's pretty sure she would not be allowed to keep it if her parents knew, so she tells the cat it must be quiet. She enlists the aid of a girl in a neighboring wagon to help keep her secret. This is a cute story for early readers. It's a great introduction to historical fiction and would make a great discussion book about what travelers faced on the Oregon Trail. The author kept those adventures somewhat tame, but readers still understand dangers were there. I purchased this book at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center this summer, but I'm just getting around to reading and reviewing it because it somehow got lost in a zippered compartment of my suitcase. I'm glad I found it so 2016 can go out with a fun book for children! ( )

During the 1800’s, Kate is traveling from Missouri to Oregon by wagon train with her cat. But having pets is against the rules. Will Kate be able to keep her cat a secret?

This book was a good example of a historical fiction early chapter book because it is a fictional story set at an actual historical event/period. The Oregon Trail happened that there were probably true stories similar to this. This story is believeable while still not being true.
This book is the story of Kate Purdy who is traveling with her family on the Oregon Trail and she smuggles a kitten into their wagon. And the cat has to stay a secret.
Age Appropriateness: Intermediate
Media: pencil sketches ( )