Jacqueline Kelly's debut novel, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, follows 11-year old
Callie Vee, the only daughter amongst six boys in a traditional, monied Texas family, at the end of 1899. Much to her mother's chagrin, Callie has no interest in nor aptitude for the womanly arts expected of her, such as music, sewing and cooking. Instead, Callie's passion and talent for observing the world around her as a naturalist increase as she develops a relationship with her grandfather who as a general rule does not mix with his grandchildren. As Callie's grandfather shares such taboo books as Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species, and as they realize that they may even have discovered a new species of plant, Callie's mother's efforts toward molding her daughter into a marriagable young lady heighten, forcing Callie to evaluate how she fits into her place in a rapidly changing society.
Told in the first person, Kelly manages to capture her protagonist's frustrations, high spirits, and intellectual nature, as well as her growing feelings for her grandfather and her eye for and interest in the natural world around her. Through highlighting and subtly developing several familial relationships, such as Callie's adoration of her oldest brother as well as her growing tension with her mother, Kelly allows the reader to see the multiple levels of both Callie's internal character, as well as the very real societal pressures and expectations of the time period. Kelly also squarely places her story in Texas, painting a vivid picture of the natural world that so intensely captures Callie's attention.
Definitely a Newbery contender.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0
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This book took me a long time to get into, I thought it started slowly. Once Callie's character began to develop though, I really enjoyed it. Her predicaments and reactions rang true to the time, place, and family she lived in. Nicely written historical fiction.