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The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (Calpurnia Tate, #1)

Jacqueline Kelly

Start date: April 1, 2010

Finish date: May 31, 2010

Discussion: Group Book Discussion

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Oct 02, 2016 Vanessa rated it really liked it

Shelves: npr

This book introduces us to the infinitely charming Calpurnia Virginia Tate, an 11 year old who lives in the (real) town of Fentress, Texas on a prosperous cotton farm. It covers around six eventful months in her life before the turn of the 20th century.

Calpurnia, the only girl in a family of six brothers, breaks the ice with her gruff and previously unapproachable grandfather that summer when she dares to ask him why some grasshoppers are small and green, while others are large and yellow. He se This book introduces us to the infinitely charming Calpurnia Virginia Tate, an 11 year old who lives in the (real) town of Fentress, Texas on a prosperous cotton farm. It covers around six eventful months in her life before the turn of the 20th century.

Calpurnia, the only girl in a family of six brothers, breaks the ice with her gruff and previously unapproachable grandfather that summer when she dares to ask him why some grasshoppers are small and green, while others are large and yellow. He sends her on assignment to find out, and it's the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Her grandfather is a prodigious amateur naturalist, a Civil War veteran, and a member of the National Geographic Society. He's also a delight and unlike some other people in the story, never tells Calpurnia to go away and do girl stuff.

Soon they are off spending the summer observing and collecting specimens, as well as possibly identifying a new species of hairy vetch (the "mootant", as Calpurnia calls it.) They do experiments. They discuss The Origin of Species. They correspond with the Smithsonian Institute (the chapter where they travel to nearby Austin to have pictures made of their proposed new plant species is now one of my favorite things ever.)

As this is a novel aimed at younger readers, there are other episodic vignettes that fill out Calpunia's world. Some are hilarious (oh, the indignity of piano recitals), and some are sad (farm animals are not pets.)

Alas, Calpurnia is a girl in 1899, and in the Deep South to boot, so her mother has other plans for her: lessons in baking and sewing so she can find a husband and do nothing but that for the rest of her life. No one is truly a villain in the story. No one is oppressing Calpunia in a cruel manner, or neglecting her. Calpurnia's parents are kind people, and are only looking out for her the best way they know how. Nevertheless, at the point where Callie's mother said she shouldn't be allowed to continue reading Dickens because reading too much caused "disaffection" in a young girl's mind, I was DONE with her.

Still, our heroine has her grandfather and an irrepressible spirit and intellect, and while the story doesn't end with everything neatly resolved, you feel and hope that she'll triumph. And not only that, there's a new century coming as her grandfather reminds her, with cars and telephones. She's a spiritual cousin to Alan Bradley's Flavia de Luce, although this book dives much deeper into chafing against traditional gender roles by both boys and girls (and is the richer for it.)

This book quite simply charmed the pants off of me, and its world and characters are lodged in my brain now. I think given time it could be a classic of YA literature, for now it's a 4.5 star read. If I were to be asked what books young girls should read, I'd easily put this on the list with the venerated likes of Harriet the Spy, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Blubber, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and The Westing Game. It was also a Newberry Honor book in 2010. Although this was a library book, I'm going to buy my own copy because I loved it that much that I want to keep it near me.

And that's probably the highest praise I can give it. ...more

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Dec 17, 2009 Amy rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2010, busy-as-a-bee-books-group

I just loved Callie and this entire book was a joy to read. So refreshing and captivating! I love a girl like Callie and I'm so glad that I read this if for no reason other than she's an amazing character! But, even better, the book itself is wonderful too - the story is refreshing, interesting and well written. I loved how Kelly made the characters, the place and the time in history come to life within the pages of this book. I felt as if I was there with them. I really enjoyed every moment of ...more

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May 31, 2011 Cherylann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya, feminist-themes, historical-fiction, bees

Calpurnia Tate is my new favorite protagonist! From the first lines of the book Callie's voice rings strong and true. With humor and poignancy, Callie learns what it means to be female at the turn of the 20th Century. I also love the multiple meanings of the title. This is a book I wanted to savor, but I ended up gulping it down. I have a feeling, I'll be revisiting this book often. If I were to give a literary dinner party, Calpurnia Tate would be seated at the table along with Scout, Flavia de ...more

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Apr 26, 2010 Lladroluv rated it liked it

I enjoyed Callie V.'s relationship with her Grandfather. A nice turn of the century book. ...more

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Dec 17, 2009 Lisa Hickman rated it it was amazing

Shelves: busy-as-a-bee-books, library-books, historical-fiction, young-adult

I was captivated by the character of Callie Vee. She was full of life, adventure and curiosity. I found myself smiling and laughing the whole time I read this novel. Grandfather was a hoot, and I cherished the relationship that he and Callie built. Kelly did a great job of bringing the entire family to life, and I could easily picture them in my mind's eye as I read. I would've loved reading this as a young adult. ...more

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Mar 22, 2010 Kate rated it liked it

Calpurnia is an easy read and smooth, quick read. The travails of a young Texan girl in 1899 evolved nicely. Calpurnia didn't want to be "Nellie" from Little House on the Prairie; she wanted to be Laura -- her grandfather, at first, reluctantly, but then devotedly, helped Callie define that for herself. I would read a novel following her through adolescence and into young adulthood . . . ...more

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