  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 12/01/2016 Gr 2–4—Life is never dull on Callie's family farm. With six brothers and a host of animal companions, excitement is always brewing. While Dr. Pritzker, the local veterinarian, is away, it falls to Callie, Travis, and Granddaddy to help insects and animals in the newest installment of this series based upon the well-loved middle grade titles. This selection will be of interest to those fascinated by nature. Readers will learn about the evolution and life cycle of a butterfly and the lambing process. Some of the more challenging vocabulary is defined ("veterinarian"), while readers can use context clues to understand others ("embed," "nocturnal," "disastrous"). Newer readers may need some assistance, making this title best suited for guided reading. VERDICT A strong introductory chapter book for young readers interested in science and nature.—Tiffany Davis, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 02/01/2017 Illustrated with appealing drawings, the Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet books are unusual among early chapter-book series in that their main character is 13 years old and she originally appeared in the two Calpurnia Tate books for middle-graders. Returning for another tale set in Texas in 1901, Calpurnia earns the title “Girl Vet” twice over. First, guided by her grandfather, she glues a tiny, delicate splint onto a butterfly’s torn wing, enabling it to fly. Next, she acts as midwife for a sheep whose unborn lamb presents as a breech birth until Calpurnia takes charge and turns him around, saving both ewe and lamb. While her brother Travis acts as a stand-in for younger readers, Calpurnia narrates the story, and events unfold from her point of view. Kelly provides bits of backstory for readers new to the series, but most of the story reads as pure Calpurnia. Her free-spirited personality, her rule-bending ways, and her determination to follow her passion for science, regardless of her mother’s misgivings, make her a lively, endearing character. - Copyright 2017 Booklist. Loading...
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