The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate: (Newbery Honor Book)

Jacqueline Kelly

May 2009 · Calpurnia Tate Book 1 · Sold by Henry Holt and Company (BYR)

About this ebook

In this witty historical fiction middle grade novel set at the turn of the century, an 11-year-old girl explores the natural world, learns about science and animals, and grows up. A Newbery Honor Book.

“The most delightful historical novel for tweens in many, many years. . . . Callie's struggles to find a place in the world where she'll be encouraged in the gawky joys of intellectual curiosity are fresh, funny, and poignant today.” —The New Yorker

Calpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old in 1899 when she wonders why the yellow grasshoppers in her Texas backyard are so much bigger than the green ones. With a little help from her notoriously cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist, she figures out that the green grasshoppers are easier to see against the yellow grass, so they are eaten before they can get any larger. As Callie explores the natural world around her, she develops a close relationship with her grandfather, navigates the dangers of living with six brothers, and comes up against just what it means to be a girl at the turn of the century.

Author Jacqueline Kelly deftly brings Callie and her family to life, capturing a year of growing up with unique sensitivity and a wry wit.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly was a 2010 Newbery Honor Book and the winner of the 2010 Bank Street - Josette Frank Award. This title has Common Core connections. This is perfect for young readers who like historical fiction, STEM topics, animal stories, and feminist middle grade novels.

Don't miss the sequel!
The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate

To follow Calpurnia Tate on more adventures, read the Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet chapter book series:
Skunked!
Counting Sheep
Who Gives a Hoot?
A Prickly Problem

Ratings and reviews

Newbery Honor book for upper middle school and middle school readers is delightful. Calie finds herself very frustrated to play a female's role in late 19th century Texas. Her grandfather, an amateur scientist takes her under his wing. Callie is a wonderful narrator as she shares her story about being female and wanting more. All characters are well-developed. Callie will stay with you long after you finish the book.

Grade: 5-7 (GR: Not Yet Rated) Rating: B Comments: This book is about a young girl (11 years old) and her summer adventures amongst a family with 6 brothers and as Callie Vee says "Can you imagine a worse situation?" Callie Vee (short for Calpurnia Virginia Tate) enjoys "doing science" with her grandpa more than traditional jobs that girls and women did at the turn of the 20th century. I could really relate to Callie Vee as when I was a kid I liked to collect things and observe science. The vocabulary in this book was a bit advanced. I occasionally had to look things up in my pocket dictionary. I enjoyed the relationship with Callie Vee and her grandfather. I felt myself really wanting to know more about what happened to Callie Vee when she grew up. The book is set at the turn of the 20th century and would make for good discussions about the roles and opportunities of women then versus now.

I HATE THIS BOOK!!!!!! HAD TO READ IT FOR PENTATHALON AND BECAUSE OF THIS BOOK I AM DROPPING OUT AND NEVER JOINING AGAIN!!!! DO NOT DOWNLOAD!!!!!!! I DONT WANT TO GIVE IT ANY STARS!!!!!!!

About the author

Jacqueline Kelly won the Newbery Honor for The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, her first book. She was born in New Zealand and raised in Canada, in the dense rainforests of Vancouver Island. Her family then moved to El Paso, Texas, and Kelly attended college in El Paso, then went on to medical school in Galveston. After practicing medicine for many years, she went to law school at the University of Texas, and after several years of law practice, realized she wanted to write fiction. Her first story was published in the Mississippi Review in 2001. She now makes her home with her husband and various cats and dogs in Austin and Fentress, Texas.