Friday Spines Book Review Number 17:
Calpurnia Tate and her evolution take place in the hot, hot summer of 1899. Her small Texas town has much the same attitude toward her upbringing as her large Texan family (complete with grandparents and six brothers): girls should be taught to cook, clean, and nor ask questions. Calpurnia Virginia Tate, or Callie Vee as she was called when she was eleven, hated to clean and cook, and she loved to ask questions. She pondered the different kinds of grasshoppers in her front yard, made drawings of the hunting dogs' mouths as they lay yawning in the sun, and searched her town's tiny library for Darwin's publicly ridiculed book "Origin of Species".
As Callie Vee decides to cut an inch of her hair off a week--afraid that her mother will notice but unable to bear the hot weight of it down her back--she becomes friends with her grandfather, a white-bearded, formidable man who spends most of his time in his library, inventing things and reading. She grows closer to him over the summer as she gains the skills of asking questions, looking at the world, and seeing people as they are.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is a book with light writing that tells of a hot, heavy place going through great changes. Much like Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, there's tension the "way things are" and the "way things will be", and it's eloquently narrated by a spunky, unique young girl. The writing is easy to read but powerful, and the plot will keep you gently engaged through the Evolution.
Callie Vee's story is appropriate for all ages. You may want to use it as a read-aloud book for younger readers (it works well as a bedtime story in installments), or devour it all in one sitting by yourself. It's recommended for ages 7 and up, not for inappropriate contents but because Callie Vee's vocabulary is extensive and might discourage younger readers.
Other things I liked about this book:
Other books you may enjoy: To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee; Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery; and The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Don't forget to check back on Thursday for the announcement of the next book!
Happy reading,
M. Gabrielle
Calpurnia Tate and her evolution take place in the hot, hot summer of 1899. Her small Texas town has much the same attitude toward her upbringing as her large Texan family (complete with grandparents and six brothers): girls should be taught to cook, clean, and nor ask questions. Calpurnia Virginia Tate, or Callie Vee as she was called when she was eleven, hated to clean and cook, and she loved to ask questions. She pondered the different kinds of grasshoppers in her front yard, made drawings of the hunting dogs' mouths as they lay yawning in the sun, and searched her town's tiny library for Darwin's publicly ridiculed book "Origin of Species".
As Callie Vee decides to cut an inch of her hair off a week--afraid that her mother will notice but unable to bear the hot weight of it down her back--she becomes friends with her grandfather, a white-bearded, formidable man who spends most of his time in his library, inventing things and reading. She grows closer to him over the summer as she gains the skills of asking questions, looking at the world, and seeing people as they are.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is a book with light writing that tells of a hot, heavy place going through great changes. Much like Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, there's tension the "way things are" and the "way things will be", and it's eloquently narrated by a spunky, unique young girl. The writing is easy to read but powerful, and the plot will keep you gently engaged through the Evolution.
Callie Vee's story is appropriate for all ages. You may want to use it as a read-aloud book for younger readers (it works well as a bedtime story in installments), or devour it all in one sitting by yourself. It's recommended for ages 7 and up, not for inappropriate contents but because Callie Vee's vocabulary is extensive and might discourage younger readers.
Other things I liked about this book:
- The cover of this book fits the story perfectly, and the chapter titles have fun fonts (a nice boost if you're trying to stay awake, which won't be a problem with this book).
- Callie's relationship with her brothers. Although they're be constantly in each other's way, Callie appreciates them all as individuals and is willing to share her experiences and adventures when her brothers are willing to listen.
- The ending! I won't give you any details, but it fits the story perfectly and is exciting without being unnecessarily dramatic.
- The interesting, concise excerpt from "Origin of Species" at the beginning of each chapter.
Other books you may enjoy: To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee; Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery; and The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Don't forget to check back on Thursday for the announcement of the next book!
Happy reading,
M. Gabrielle
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