The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
by Jacqueline Kelly
Historical Fiction
Realistic Fiction
* * * * Stars (Great!)
Eleven-year-old Calpurnia Tate has the utter misfortune of being the only girl right in the middle of a family full of boys. Because of this, there are some expectations put on her by her mother. Calpurnia struggles to improve her sewing, knitting, and cooking because in 1899 a girl is expected to do these well. She really prefers being in the company of her grandpa, studying natural selection and variation of species. Calpurnia’s growing passion for the world of science causes her to question the direction of her future. Should she do what she loves or do what she is expected to do?
Reviewed by Anne Kunzen, Youth Services
Grade level recommendation: 4-8 Lexile: 830
