48 pages 1 hour read

Gillian McDunn

Caterpillar Summer

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2019

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Chapters 1-9

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1 Summary

It is the last day of fifth grade for Cat and the last day of first grade for Chicken. Cat looks forward to their upcoming trip to Atlanta to visit her friend Rishi. Cat’s classmate Poppy invites her to go with a group to Toy Boat, an ice cream shop, but Cat considers her brother and turns down the invitation.

When Chicken arrives, he explains that the chaos of the final day was stressful, but he was able to calm himself using breathing exercises. To celebrate his success in managing his emotions, he asks Cat if they might get sesame buns, and Cat agrees.

As they leave the bakery with their buns, they stop at a fish market so that Chicken can look at the fish. Cat becomes lost in thought about sixth grade, unsure how she will be able to care for Chicken when they are in separate buildings. Suddenly, she realizes Chicken is missing.

Cat searches the area, then runs to a nearby pizzeria Chicken likes. When he is not there, Cat runs to a bookstore next, knowing Chicken likes the statue outside the bargain books that resembles an elf. She spots Chicken under a bargain table, reading one of their mother’s books.

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By Gillian McDunn