Jacqueline KellyThe Evolution of Calpurnia Tate: (Newbery Honor Book) (Calpurnia Tate, 1)

Lots of Texas history but primarily a young readers book. Enjoyable.

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.

This is an extraordinary memoir, told in the words of the young woman, Calpurnia Tate. Fiction it may be but no other protagonist has ever seemed more real. Her wanting to choose a different life than other girls of her age makes her almost a Pioneer.At the turn of the century, entering the 1900's she is a charming, witty and ambitious girl of twelve. Already a scholar of Science you just know she will succeed in an unusual career she wants desperately.I loved this book in all it's descriptiveness. Every little event is told in a charming way. The people are very real every little nuance is a pleasure to read.

I loved The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate once I got a chapter in. Once I got there I couldn't put it down even if I tried. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is a story about a girl named Calpurnia who, supported by her grand father who cupped the tender flame of her love of science and fanned it into a blaze. To the point of when her parents tried to snuff it, they found it was not a candle that they expected, but a bonfire. The book takes place in Texas right as the auto mobile (the grandfather fought in the civil war on the confederacy) is coming out. Calpurnia Tate is smack in the middle of six brothers, three older, three younger. She however is the only one who knows the grandfather who at the end of the book slips and says that she is his only grandchild. Because (it does not explain this) she is the only one like him and the only one who is at home with him. The grandfather teaches Calpurnia how to be a scientist and explore the world around her. Through their searches they find a small mutant (with Calpurnia's spelling "mootant") of the Hairy Vetch, they send pictures to the Smithsonian and find that there is no match and this is a new Hairy Vetch. She and her grandfather then have their own breed of plant named after them at the end.All ages could enjoy it and I think all ages would enjoy it as it is funny and just a well written book. Any gender could enjoy it. It is a classic and a fine piece of literature. There is a second book, The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate which I have not read, but plan to I have heard is very good.Written by a boy age 12.

Kelly's debut novel is a wonderful exposé on Southern society life at the turn of the 20th century, rife with subtexts and references to post-slavery issues and mindsets, the rise of modern machinery like the car and telephone, and the clear and unbalanced gender lines that existed and the struggle of one girl to overcome those.In particular, this is an important novel for those looking into pursuing sciences, especially because of the constant references and education around naturalism, its rise into society, the opposition it received from schools and a predominantly Christian culture, and the important role it played in the emergence of a new humanity in over the 20th century.Calpurnia is a delight to follow as she begins to notice the world around her. In her own evolution, she begins in the larval stage and moves through pupae, cocoon, and eventually becomes a bright and beautiful butterfly (or moth as is a symbolic reference in the book). Kelly is witty and clever in her treatment of Calpurnia's growth as a person, a scientist, and a courageous and curious mind. She exhibits a vast range of human emotion, showing empathy, sadness, self-sacrifice and exuberant joy, clearly a believable and lovable character.Kelly also has deftly woven passages from Darwin's Origin of Species, cunningly breaking the 4th wall for the reader in an effort to compare the evolution of Calpurnia and her world to that of Darwin's scientific expositions.For those looking for an excellent read that contains layers of depth that can be turned to several times before fully comprehending everything, then this is the perfect novel. I recommend it to all readers 10+.-Lindsey Miller,[...]

My eleven year old grand daughter requested this author's books for Christmas.

Llegó mucho antes de lo esperado. Excelente relación precio-calidad. Solo un diminuto dobles en una esquina, pero no soy quisquilloso. No puedo esperar a leerlo.

Amazing book! I loved calpurnia’s character: very human and realistic, and at the same time almost the archetype of the 20th century woman (or girl). The entire plot takes place at the end of the nineteenth century, narrated elegance and realism, but it “feels” very true and related to our present time.

Fabulously well written, enjoyable and informative book! Calpurnia Tate is an inspirational figure for any kid - she has a great thirst for knowledge, and the late 19th century setting is a great one for teaching about history as well as nature and science as the story rolls along. The book is suitable for smart kids of any age (there’s no nastiness - we read it to our young daughter). Her six brothers and the rest of her family, but particularly her grandpa, make for interesting foils providing excellent and humorous contrasts with Calpurnia’s viewpoint.

A wonderful book, now used as a text book rapid reader in some schools.An excellent introduction to some of Charles Darwin's original writings and findings of his Theory of Evolution.