The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

2010 Newbery Honor Book

Calpurnia Tate is eleven and three quarters old during the summer of 1899.  Though she lives in a small community in Texas, big ideas and changes begin happening all around her.  Taking an interest in the natural world, she thrives under the tutelage of her retired grandfather, a Civil War veteran, businessman, and self made scientist.  Calpurnia, being the only daughter and middle child with three older brothers and three younger brothers, also learns some hard lessons about the expectations of her by her parents and society in a world where women do not yet have much say in their social progression.  Time with her Grandfather learning about the natural world and how to reason critically both saves and defeats her in many ways.  Together they embark on an intellectual pursuit that may offer a permanent contribution to the world.

There were a few things I truly loved about this book. For one, it did not 'talk down' to readers.  The vocabulary was rich; I even found myself looking up words in the dictionary.  The narrative was more than just vocabulary-rich, though, it offered some ideas and time-period specific references that most kids would need to research in books about history or seek discussion with others to understand. This did not diminish the book (as that style of writing sometimes does) but made it more complex and an excellent springboard for engaging in dialog with caring adults.

The second thing I loved about book was the quotes from Charles Darwin's Origin of Species that headed each chapter and suited the theme and action.  Darwin's theories provide a mild source of conflict and contention that underplays the book, in subtle but meaningful ways.  His works, and many other scientific works of the time, also support the framework of the narrative in a historical context.

The third thing I loved about this book was that it did not necessarily have a neat and tidy ending.  The ending suited the narrative perfectly, and left you hoping and wondering about the future.  The story was complete, though the reader may have to ponder what the true conflict was throughout based on the ending.

The fourth thing I loved about this book was that it made me laugh out loud in several places, in scenes I believe young readers will enjoy the same way I did.

With that said, I must offer a caveat.  In living with Calpurnia and her turn of the *last* century lifestyle, a few delicate themes are touched upon.  There is also some casual reference to violence of the time period - though it is not dealt with graphically or in an overwhelming manner.  What the reader most likely will take away from these small matters is a sense of how different Calpurnia's culture and norms were from ours. Again, it is an excellent opportunity for discussion of life, history, and culture.

I recommend this book to mature 4th graders, or 5th grade and older.
It is available to Greensboro Day School students in the Lower School Library.