BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kelly, Jacqueline. 2009. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. New York, NY:Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 9780312659301
PLOT SUMMARY
The year is 1899 and Calpurnia Tate is eleven years old. She yearns for more than the life of a housewife her mother is already pushing her towards, and finds an unexpected kindred spirit in her elderly, scientific-minded grandfather. He encourages her in her inquisitions about the things around her and teaches her not only about science, but about great women scientists. The book follow six months of her life as she learns from her grandfather, navigates life with six brothers, and lives as a girl during the turn of the century.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In a book that is basically a series of vignettes, the reader can engage with Calpurnia and the events of her life that seem so real. Her hilarious observations and driving curiosity entertains throughout the book. Though there doesn’t seem to be an actual plot, Calpurnia’s life will keep the audience reading and waiting for the next event to unfold.
It is also evident that there was research that went into making the historical aspects of this novel realistic such as the celebration of the turn of the century with the brand new “Coca-Cola.”
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Newbery Honor Book 2010
Josette Frank Award 2010
Audie Award for Children 2011
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. - Publisher's Weekly, 2009
CONNECTIONS
This novel would be good for a middle school book club and could springboard discussions related to gender roles in history, women scientists, the scientific method, and the collaboration of scientists before the internet existed.
There is also a second book about Calpurnia that readers can read following this first one.
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