The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate facts for kids
First edition cover, illustrated by Beth White and designed by April Ward
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| Author | Jacqueline Kelly |
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| Cover artist | Beth White, April Ward |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult, Historical fiction |
| Publisher | Henry Holt and Company |
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Publication date
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May 12, 2009 (1st edition) |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 340 (Hardcover) (1st edition) |
| ISBN | 0-312-65930-X (1st edition) |
| OCLC | 262143062 (1st edition) |
| LC Class | PZ7.K296184 Evo 2009 |
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is a historical novel for young adults. It was written by Jacqueline Kelly and published in 2009. The book won a Newbery Honor Award in 2010. It tells the story of a young girl growing up in Texas at the end of the 1800s.
Contents
Story Summary: Callie's Adventures
In the summer of 1899, Calpurnia Virginia Tate, or Callie, is almost twelve years old. She worries about becoming an adult and the duties that come with it. Callie would rather swim in the river near her family's pecan farm. This farm is just outside the small town of Fentress, Texas. She prefers this to learning how to cook, knit, or play the piano.
Discovering Science
One day, Callie notices two different kinds of grasshoppers in her yard. This makes her curious. She decides to find a copy of Charles Darwin's famous book, The Origin of Species. After a difficult visit to the town librarian, Callie looks for the book elsewhere. She soon finds out that her own Granddaddy has a copy in his personal library.
Granddaddy is a quiet and distant person. Callie has to be brave to ask him about her grasshopper puzzle. She also shares her own idea about why the grasshoppers are different sizes. This moment starts a special friendship between Callie and her grandfather. Soon, Callie spends most of her time with Granddaddy. She helps him collect wildlife for his collection. She also learns a lot about natural sciences by his side.
Balancing Expectations
When Callie is not exploring with Granddaddy, she struggles with "ladylike" skills. Her mother tries hard to teach her these things. Callie can only cook soft-boiled eggs and cheese sandwiches. Her needlepoint work is messy. Her piano playing is just okay, not special.
This is hard for Callie, especially when she compares herself to her best friend, Lula. Lula is a perfect young lady. She is great at all the things Callie struggles with. In fact, three of Callie's six brothers even fall in love with Lula during the summer!
Callie fears her days of freedom might end. She gets a scary Christmas gift from her mother. It is a book called "The Science of Housewifery". This book is all about how to run a home.
Changes and New Beginnings
Throughout the story, Callie learns to balance her curious personality with the rules for girls in the late 1800s. New inventions appear in Callie's life, and she adapts to them. First, her brother brings home a wind machine. Then, she tries a new drink called Coca-Cola.
But it is the arrival of the telephone in their small Texas town that truly shows the big changes ahead for Callie. As Granddaddy tells her, "The old century is dying, even as we watch. Remember this day." The book ends as the 20th century begins. A rare snow falls, leaving the reader hopeful for new chances for the spirited young Calpurnia.
Main Characters
- Calpurnia Virginia Tate: "Callie Vee" is the main character. She is an eleven-year-old girl who is curious and smart. She wants to learn about the world, even with the rules for girls in her time.
- Granddaddy (Captain Tate): Calpurnia's grandfather, Walter Tate. Through him, Callie learns about nature and her own abilities. He quickly becomes friends with Callie because she was brave enough to talk to him. He gets Callie interested in science, which she loves.
- Alfred Tate: Calpurnia's father. He works at a cotton gin and is not mentioned much in the story.
- Margaret Tate: Calpurnia's mother. She is strict and traditional. She wants Callie to become a proper lady and teaches her homemaking skills.
- Harry Tate: Calpurnia's oldest brother. He is the kindest of her six brothers and often tries to make Callie happy.
- Lamar Tate: Calpurnia's older brother. He can be rude and sees Callie as a rival. Lamar often expresses old-fashioned ideas about women's roles. He is lazy and spoiled.
- Travis Tate: Calpurnia's younger brother. He names his kittens after famous wild west outlaws. He is sensitive and caring.
- Lula Gates: Calpurnia's best friend. She is a proper, ladylike girl who wins awards for her embroidery. She is very accomplished.
Book Style
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is a story that focuses on its characters. It is told in a series of events, rather than one big problem that Callie has to solve.
Awards and Recognition
This book received many awards, including:
- A 2010 Newbery Honor Award
- The IRA Children's Book Award
- The North Carolina Young Adult Book Award
- The TN YA Volunteer State Book Award ML
- The Virginia M. Law Award
- The Josette Frank Award
- The Judy Lopez Book Award
It was also listed on:
- The Chicago Public Library Best of the Best list
- The Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Choice Award Master List
- The Texas Lone Star Reading List
- It was a 2009 Junior Library Guild Selection.
See also
In Spanish: La evolución de Calpurnia Tate para niños
