1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kelly, Jacqueline. 2009. THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE. New York, NY. Henry Holt and Company LLC. ISBN 0805088415
2. SUMMARY
Calpurnia Virginia Tate, known as Callie Vee, is an 11 year old girl growing up in Texas in 1899, right around the time, telephones, cars and Coca Cola are coming into existence. She is the middle child with three older brothers and three younger brothers. Calpurnia’s mother expects her to grow up into “a lady” and take on responsibilities such as cooking and keeping house. Calpurnia has other plans. Luckily for her, she has an escape. Her family also includes a cantankerous grandfather who dabbles in science and nature. Together they explore and gather data of the world around them. When they both discover a new plant excitement abounds to get the species officially registered. Thanks to her grandfather, a life-long love of science begins.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Just from viewing the book jacket art the reader can get a sense of the era the story inside was set. Black silhouetted Calpurnia “Callie” and science images on a yellow background will definitely catch the eye and set the time period up before the reader even opens the book.
Jacqueline Kelly uses Callie Vee to tell the story in first person, who is smart, determined feisty and on the cusp of leaving behind gender stereotypes. Coming of age in the turn of the century is easily conveyed through Kelly’s writing. Callie's grandfather mentions talking to Alexander Graham Bell and wanting to ride in a newly invented automobile. You can also begin to see the plight of women’s suffrage as Callie is struggling with her own role, either the one her mother is pushing one her or the one her grandfather is encouraging. The reader can’t help but root for Callie and her grandfather’s unconventional ways.
The book breaks easily into two separate parts. First, the book is easily woven with scientific terminology and theme. Each chapter opens with a quotation from ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES by Darwin. It is book Callie cannot check out of the library without permission but happened to bring her and her grandfather close together. The second tie in is the family bond. Callie’s siblings, the events, conversations and antidotes are all told with humor and love. When one of Callie’s little brothers is protecting a turkey from Thanksgiving dinner, your heart just melts at the links Callie and her grandfather go to help the family get through the turmoil of the day. Everyone wishes for family bonds so strong.
This novel is easy to read and would make a great read aloud or reader’s theater selection.
4. AWARDS/HONORS
2010 Newbery Honor Book.
2010 ALA Notable Children's Book.
THE NEW YORKER review: “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” is 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. - “Book Bench” section
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review: “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.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred review: “A charming and inventive story of a child struggling to find her identity at the turn of the 20th century… there’s no uncertainty over the achievement of Kelly’s debut novel
5. CONNECTIONS
From libraryzest.blogspot.com:
Author's website: http://www.jacquelinekelly.com/index.html Macmillan website http://us.macmillan.com/theevolutionofcalpurniatate which has a video clip of a book talk, an excerpt of the first chapter and a downloadable discussion guide.
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