The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (Module 5)

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kelly, Jacqueline. 2009. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. New York: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN: 9780805088410


2. PLOT SUMMARY

Callie Vee wants only to explore the outdoors and become a naturalist, yet the conventions of 1899 for young ladies do not allow for such behavior. While striking up an unexpected friendship with her eccentric grandfather over their love of nature and science, Callie Vee must fight against the normal cultural roles and expectations that she become a proper woman if she is to be able to pursue her dreams.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Set in the small Texas town of Fentress at the turn of the twentieth century, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is a novel about following your dreams and breaking molds/stereotypes. Calpurnia Tate (Callie Vee), the only girl out of seven kids in her family, is growing up as a tomboy during an era where nothing could be more improper. Through a budding relationship with her naturalist grandfather, she is exploring nature and the outdoors, rather than her mother’s desires to learn cooking, embroidery, and music. Young readers should definitely be able to relate to having expectations placed on you, especially familial ones, while still trying to figure out who you are in the first place.

Kelly uses facts and elements of history expertly in this story so that we get a feel for the era without realizing we’re learning a lot about what life was like “back then.” Readers appreciate how much life has changed as Kelly highlights moments like the family getting a “wind machine,” Callie and her grandfather having to go to town to take a picture with their plant, and the celebration of the first telephone in town. The language used is accessible but does carry authenticity. For example, “Isn’t she a corker?” is used to describe Callie’s brother’s love interest and “Dear Sir, Your letter of Wednesday instant at my hand” is how Callie begins a letter.

The acknowledgements at the end explain the liberties Kelly took with Texas history and the blooming seasons of plants. Some sources (e.g. Dallas Museum of Art) are also thanked here. Kelly’s biography on the jacket cover mentions that she lives in Fentress, Texas now. Otherwise, there is not much information given on research or suggestions for further reading.

One final note is that there is some stereotyping of women’s roles within the book. Although I find it delightful that Callie Vee was breaking out from the rather constricting roles placed on women, the idea that a woman might enjoy staying at home and raising children is not even considered. Instead, her mother is seen being at her wits end with her kids and often taking a tonic that is mostly alcohol. It would have been nice to have one adult female figure that enjoyed children and life at home. I’d hate for any reader to feel that her dream/life of raising a family is less than that of someone who works outside the home.

For me, the story seemed slow to get off the ground and got bogged in description/details at times. However, it still is a worthwhile and fascinating read that ties in science and history all within a great story about family and growing up.


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)


• Newbery Medal Honor
• Booklist starred review: “Interwoven with the scientific theme are threads of daily life in a large family—the bonds with siblings, the conversations overheard, the unspoken understandings and misunderstandings—all told with wry humor and a sharp eye for details that bring the characters and the setting to life.”
• Horn Book starred review: “Kelly, without anachronism, has created a memorable, warm, spirited young woman who's refreshingly ahead of her time.”
• Kirkus starred review: “Readers will finish this witty, deftly crafted debut novel rooting for ‘Callie Vee’ and wishing they knew what kind of adult she would become.”
• Publishers Weekly starred review: “Callie's transformation into an adult and her unexpected bravery make for an exciting and enjoyable read.”


5. CONNECTIONS

• The publisher provides a discussion guide that touches on questions of both the fiction (e.g. characters) and fact (e.g. history). It can be downloaded at http://us.macmillan.com/theevolutionofcalpurniatate.
• This book could open up discussions with older students on evolution vs. creationism. This is obviously a hot topic that could create for dissonance, so make sure to allow for all beliefs and ideas to be respected and listened to. Teaching students how to disagree without attacking is an important life lesson. Set-up the discussion with ground rules that encourage active listening, clarification of someone else’s argument before refuting, and speaking with humility.
• Series fiction books that include science (multiple ISBNs within each series):

Benton, Jim. Franny K Stein, Mad Scientist Series.

Brinley, Bertrand R. Mad Scientists’ Club Series.

Cole, Joanna. Magic School Bus Series.

L'Engle, Madeleine. A Wrinkle in Time Quintet.

Torrey, Michele. Doyle and Fossey, Science Detectives Series.