Review: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

Tags: middle grade, YA, historical fiction, Darwinism, science, family

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary

It is the year 1899. In sun-roasted rural Texas, 11-year-old Calpurnia Virginia Tate—better known as Callie Vee—attempts to navigate life with six brothers, a gentile mother, and an enigmatic grandfather who encourages her interest in science, even though the turn of the nineteenth century is no time for a young girl to be thinking about a “man’s occupation.”

While her mother tries valiantly to domesticate her, Calpurnia wants nothing more than to be outside, making naturalistic observations in her journal, catching plant and insect specimens, and helping her grandfather in his experiments. As she watches her older brothers grow up and fall in love, and helps her grandfather discover what could possibly be a new plant species, Callie tries to carve out a place for herself in the heavily masculine world.

Review

Ever reread your beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder boxed set, then wonder where to go from there? Look no further than Jacqueline Kelly’s stunning debut novel, THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE, which will be sure to win the hearts of any reader, whatever their age may be. In turn rip-roaringly funny and poignant, Callie Vee’s story of her struggles and triumph over her oppressors will be sure to stay with you for many weeks.

Calpurnia narrates from an almost distant future time, as if she were an older woman reflecting on her preteen days. While I’m not sure if this is intentional or not, the effect is that Calpurnia’s story will more easily attract older readers—if they aren’t already charmed by Callie Vee’s refreshingly innocent yet determined demeanor. She is the kind of middle-grade protagonist that can charm the pants off of everyone, an ahead-of-her-times young girl without the preaching or drama.

Not to be outdone, Jacqueline Kelly’s writing is just as impressive and genuine. She unwinds the characters’ stories with all the skill, ingenuity, and humor of a far more established character writer. We readers are left chuckling at the Tate family’s escapades and sighing with happiness when things go right.

THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE is definitely a 2009 debut that should not be missed. This is a book that will go far; I can only hope that my review will be just one more tiny little paddle pushing it in your, and the award givers’, direction.

Similar Authors

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Writing: 4/5

Characters: 5/5

Plot: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Henry Holt & Co. / May 2009 - OUT NOW

Thank you, Sarah of Blue Slip Media, and Caroline of Macmillan, for sending me a copy of this wonderful book!