"'There are so many things to learn, you see, and so little time is given us.'"
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Kelly, J. (2009). The evolution of Calpurnia Tate. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC.
Summary
Calpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old, and the only girl in seven children. One hot summer day in Texas1899, she notices that the yellow grasshoppers on her father's farm are larger than the green ones. Determined to discover why, she consults her grandfather, who encourages her to study the dilemma as if she were a naturalist. Thus begins her transformation into a smart and curious young scientist. As the summer drags on, Calpurnia and her grandfather discover a potential new species of plant in her own backyard, which they send to the Smithsonian for official approval. As she waits for news from Washington, Calpurnia's scientific activities are questioned by her family. Will anyone take her seriously as a scientist? As summer fades into fall and eventually winter, Calpurnia begins to learn more about the world around her and just what it means to be female at the end of the 19th century.
My Impressions
Calpurnia, or Callie Vee, is that little girl we all wanted to be friends with. She narrates her story with confidence, candor, and humor, almost as if she were having a conversation with the reader. I very much enjoyed Callie Vee, her family, and the setting. Simple events such as her oldest brother's first love, her younger brothers' (that's right, more than one) crush on her best friend, the arrival of the telephone, and Calpurnia's own lessons on housewifery lend the story a very natural and authentic feel. Her grandfather is another loveable character, as you see him morph from a cantankerous old man into a supportive, dedicated, and fascinating scientific mentor for Callie Vee. The story does move somewhat slowly, with essentialy no action, making it reminiscent of more traditional, subtle forms of storytelling. The read is well worth it, though, as Calpurnia's coming of age is a bittersweet, yet satisfying journey.
Reviews
Publisher's Weekly
"Life at the turn of the century is not easy for a girl who loves books and science. Kelly's first novel presents spirited heroine Calpurnia (Callie) Virginia Tate, a middle child with six brothers, growing up in the isolation of Fentress, Tex., in 1899. To her family's dismay, Callie is stubborn, independent and not interested in darning socks or perfecting her baking skills like a lady. "I would live my life in a tower of books," she thinks to herself. She spends most of her time with Harry, "the one brother who could deny me nothing," slowly befriending her Granddaddy, a mysterious naturalist who studies everything from pecan distillation to microscopic river bugs. Together they dream up experiments and seek answers to backyard phenomena, discovering something new about the invisible world each day. Callie follows her passion for knowledge, coming to realize her family "had their own lives. And now I have mine." Callie's transformation into an adult and her unexpected bravery make for an exciting and enjoyable read. Kelly's rich images and setting, believable relationships and a touch of magic take this story far. Ages 10-up."
[Review of the book The evolution of Calpurnia Tate by J. Kelly]. (2009). Publisher's Weekly, 256(18), 51. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com.
School Library Journal
"Gr 5-8-- A charming and inventive story of a child struggling to find her identity at the turn of the 20th century. As the only girl in an uppercrust Texas family of seven children, Calpurnia, 11, is expected to enter young womanhood with all its trappings of tight corsets, cookery, and handiwork. Unlike other girls her age, Callie is most content when observing and collecting scientific specimens with her grandfather. Bemoaning her lack of formal knowledge, he surreptitiously gives her a copy of The Origin of Species and Callie begins her exploration of the scientific method and evolution, eventually happening upon the possible discovery of a new plant species. Callie's mother, believing that a diet of Darwin, Dickens, and her grandfather's influence will make Callie dissatisfied with life, sets her on a path of cooking lessons, handiwork improvement, and an eventual debut into society. Callie's confusion and despair over her changing life will resonate with girls who feel different or are outsiders in their own society. Callie is a charming, inquisitive protagonist; a joyous, bright, and thoughtful creation. The conclusion encompasses bewilderment, excitement, and humor as the dawn of a new century approaches. Several scenes, including a younger brother's despair over his turkeys intended for the Thanksgiving table and Callie's heartache over receiving The Science of Housewifery as a Christmas gift, mix gentle humor and pathos to great effect. The book ends with uncertainty over Callie's future, but there's no uncertainty over the achievement of Kelly's debut novel."
Schultz, J. (2009). [Review of the book The evolution of Calpurnia Tate by J. Kelly]. School Library Journal, 55(5), 110. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com.
- This book would make for an excellent addition to a book club, either with preteen girls or perhaps in a mother-daughter setting. There is a great deal to discuss about the role of women during this time, and many of Calpurnia's everyday experiences are easily relatable for girls between the ages of eleven and fourteen. It might be interesting to compare the text to others about young girls in the same time period.
- The book could be used in a display about curious children, or young scientists. The many allusions to Darwin in the text make it an easy tie-in to a biography of the naturalist or a field trip to the local park to collect specimens.
Find it @ your library - Albany County Public Library
J KELLY, JACQUELINE
Notes
Booklist Editor's Choice, American Library Association, 2009
Publisher's Weekly Best Children's Books, 2009
School Library Journal Best Books, 2009
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, American Library Association, 2010
Newbery Honor Book, 2010
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