| The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate |  | Author: Jacqueline Kelly
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
List Price: $16.99
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Rating:  50 reviews
Sales Rank: 6,647
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Pages: 352
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.2
ISBN: 0805088415
EAN: 9780805088410
ASIN: 0805088415
Publication Date: May 12, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
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. Debut author Jacqueline Kelly deftly brings Callie and her family to life, capturing a year of growing up with unique sensitivity and a wry wit.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 50
 For Girls of All Ages July 26, 2010
ACP (Charlotte, NC USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I simply adored this novel. Calpurnia's plight is something that every girl, no matter her age, no matter the era in which she lives, will relate to. Calpurnia is a young girl who wants to be a scientist. The trouble is, she's a girl and girls can't be scientists, not in the year 1899. It reminded me of when I was kid and I used to play baseball with the neighborhood boys. I was good, really good. Despite the fact that I was easily better than most of the other boys, I was always picked last. Why? Because I was a girl. And girls can't possibly play baseball as well as boys. Every girl has a story like this, even if it's a more subtle form of discrimination, the kind that predominates in modern day society.
This is a character driven story and a good one. It takes place in the past and we, the readers, know as we begin this journey with Calpurnia as she discovers evolution (both scientifically and socially) that things aren't going to change for women anytime soon. Nevertheless, I identified with Calpurnia and hoped against all odds that she would break the mold, at least in her own life. The author skillfully developed her characters, especially the narrator, Calpurnia.
Calpurnia is lovingly drawn. I feel like I know her. I feel like I was her. Calpurnia is a headstrong girl who can't stand the things that are forcibly thrust upon her just because she's a girl, like big, frilly dresses in the insufferable Texas heat, laboring in the kitchen over pies and learning how to sew. Though the book spans the course of months, not years, we watch Calpurnia as she is introduced into the beginnings of adulthood, little by little. We see her complex relationships with those around her and how she doesn't understand her mother or why she's losing her beloved older brother and how she doesn't understand the socio-political implications of working in the cotton field. We see her growing up, a place we, too, have been. But the best part of the story is the relationship that begins and develops between Calpurnia and her oft-reclusive grandfather. The relationship is one of common interest - science - and it becomes so much more. It is simply a pleasure to watch this budding relationship grow.
This is a wonderful, heartwarming tale that chronicles a defining period in a young girl's life. It is a place all girls have been - a place where some of us lose our luster and others continue to shine bright despite the obstacles. I think this story is one that every girl will understand. 5 stars.
Spunky, thoughtful girl with opportunity and restrictions July 2, 2010
S. Silverman (California)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Definitely worth its Newbery Honor award, this charming tale is title character Calpurnia's telling of her year at age 11 in 1899. Calpurnia is the only girl among seven siblings in a Texas home. The story largely focuses on Calpurnia's relationship with her grandfather who is retired, living with the family, a bit reclusive and eccentric, and a most avid student of nature and natural life. Calpurnia joins his scientific-focused world and becomes fascinated and enthusiastically involved. She also has to face the expectations of an adolescent girl at that time, tatting, cooking, learning piano, and other things she finds lower priority than the science. She also must deal with her brothers, parents, peers, and teachers. For a young reader, this is delightful for its story alone, but the scientific process and history of the times (a telephone comes to town and they get to actually see a newfangled automobile!) add greatly to the story's depth and value. There is more than one laugh out loud moment in here, side stories of romance, piano recitals, the possible discovery of a new species, and more to keep the reader smiling and enjoying it. With a bit of Richard Peck (of A Year Down Yonder and other terrific historical fiction) flavor, this joins Peck's historical fiction as a worthwhile pleasure for a young reader or an adult.
Excellent book, especially for girls, but consider age and reading ability June 28, 2010
Two kids mom (NM United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Best beloved book. This is a novel for thinking, questioning kids and adults, especially of the female variety. The writing is lyrical, the vocabulary enriching and the storyline excellent. Gives a good historical background as well.
The age range listed for the book is too low (listed as grades 4 to 7) for two reasons. First, there are some descriptions that may be too intense for the lower end of this age range, a solider having his leg sawn off and a women described as pitchforked to death. for example. Secondly, and more importantly, the book requires a great deal of thought and a higher than average reading ability for the age range listed. I imagine that girls who identify with Callie will get the most out of the book. I would suggest a lower age range of 11 (for above average and thoughtful readers).
Excellent read and highly recommended with the above recommendations.
Enchanting June 24, 2010
Scout
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm having trouble explaining why I liked this book so much but I was completely enchanted. The story takes place in the summer of 1899 in Texas when an eleven year old Calpurnia, through her budding interest in science, forms a relationship with her Grandpa. While the grandfather lives in the house with Calpurnia and her family (both parents and six brothers), none of the children have a close relationship with him and they find him to be intimidating. Calpurnia first approaches him with a question about grasshoppers (having exhausted all her other resources in search of an answer) and her grandfather tells her he thinks she can figure out the answer on her own and to report back to him when she does. She does in fact figure out the answer to her question and reports back to her grandfather, and thus their friendship begins.
I was completely charmed by Calpurnia and her growing relationship with her grandpa. There were some depressing moments as the book progressed and Callie becomes more and more aware that life is trying to limit the options for her future. Her mother is trying to prepare her for adulthood by teaching her how to manage a household but Callie has no interest in those skills or that future. She does however reluctantly try to learn the skills her mom is trying to teach but her heart is never really in it. Part of her feels like its her responsibility, as the only girl in the family, to make her mom happy by being more traditional however all she can think about is spending more time on scientific discovery with her Grandpa. These struggles were the hardest part of the book for me and were a constant reminder of how glad I am that I wasn't born any sooner than I was. While Calpurnia's future isn't resolved at the end of the book, it does end on a very hopeful note leaving the reader able to imagine that Callie will be able to follow her dreams.
My favorite aspects of this book were Callie's commentary which seemed to grow more amusing as the story progressed, and her relationship with her Grandpa. For those reasons alone I recommend this book. I finished it a couple days ago and I just can't get Callie out of my mind.
I do agree with some other reviewers that I'm not sure a younger person would actually enjoy the book. I know I wouldn't have fully appreciated it when I was young. I would still encourage giving the book to kids of any age who express an interest - if they don't like it they can shelf it for a few years and try again.
 Review of The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate June 14, 2010
Lydia Presley (Georgia)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
It's 1899. Imagine yourself to be a 12 year old girl living in Texas. The summer is about to start and all of the amusements we have today are not available. To make matters worse, Callie Vee is the only girl out of seven children.
But her summer is saved when she discovers a kindred spirit in her grandfather, an eccentric old scientist who works in his make-shift lab - a place where the children are always too scared to go. Together they make discoveries and Callie Vee starts to learn what growing up means.
Jacqueline Kelly does a beautiful job of mixing science and discovery with the changing world of a girl on the cusp of entering her teens and starting a new century. I sympathized with Callie as she struggled to please her mother and do what is expected of her despite her desires to be something more - something very difficult for a woman to do at the turn of the century.
This book wasn't at all what I expected it to be - a light, fluffy read with a bit of substance. Instead I got a thoughtful, beautiful read about a girl choosing to follow a path of knowledge and, while on that path, learning not only about her scientific discoveries, but also learning a bit more about the people surrounding her.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 50
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