Another Great Book

The Evolution or Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly is another wonderful children's/young adult book. (It is listed as grades 5 to 8 or ages 10 and up.) Calpurnia Virginia Tate, known as Callie Vee, is a 12-year-old who believes herself to be a budding scientist. As the only girl in a family of seven children, she is the one who studies insects, observes the world, and befriends her grandfather in his "laboratory". Unfortunately, Callie's mother and society in general in 1899 Texas have other plans for her. She is expected to learn to cook and do needlework, when she is only interested in studying nature.


The story is told with humor and tenderness. The reader feels Callie's frustrations and roots for her victories. This is a completely satisfying book.