Kelly,
Jacquline. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. Henry Hold and Company, New York, 2009.
340 pages. Tr. $16.99 ISBN 9780805088410
Plot
Description:
Eleven year old Calpurnia Tate is the only girl in a
family of six brothers living in Texas in 1899.
As the only girl in the Tate family Callie is expected to grow up to be
a proper young lady knowledgeable in cooking, sewing and deportment. Unfortunately for Callie she despises all
these activities, she would much rather spend her days down by the river swimming
and observing nature. Callie bonds with
her ornery grandfather over their mutual love for nature and ecology. Callie’s grandfather teaches her about the
natural world, sharing Charles Darwin’s On
the Origins of Species with Callie and teaching her how to use a
microscope. But as Callie becomes a
young lady she is not as free to spend her days exploring nature and science
and she feels herself being torn between duty and her passion for science.
Review:
The
Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is a delightful coming
of age tale of a young girl who defies the expectations of girls in her
time. I adored Callie’s grandfather and
his sarcastic comments about the state of Callie’s schooling (not enough
science, too much deportment). This is a
wonderful story that encourages girls who are interested in science and the
outdoors. Callie’s childhood reminded me
of my own and made me long for days spent down at the creek and in the
forest. The difference between my modern
upbringing and Callie’s, is that I was always encouraged to be curious about
the world and to pursue science if I wanted.
Callie was lucky to have her grandfather to help her realize her dreams
of being a scientist. Most girls at the
turn of the century would have to put aside such aspirations for a life of
marriage and motherhood.
Genre:
Historical Fiction
Reading
Level/Interest Level:
Grades 4-8
Similar
Books:
Moon
Over Manifest Clare Vanderpool
The
Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs Betty G. Birney
Awards/Honors:
ALA Notable Book 2010
Amelia Bloomer List 2010
Newberry Honor Book 2010
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2010
Author’s
Website:
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