The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. Jacqueline Kelly. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2009. 340 pages. $16.99 (Hardcover). ISBN 978-0-8050-8841-0. Grades 5-8.
“I had never classified myself with other girls. I was not of their species; I was different.” Eleven-year-old Calpurnia Virginia Tate, less formally Callie Vee, was indeed different. In 1899 when other girls her age were busy learning how to sew with accuracy and cook delectable dinners, she was off exploring the natural world around her. She loved spending hours with her amateur naturalist grandfather gathering specimens, making observations, and testing out the scientific method. When Callie and her grandfather discover a new species of vetch her ambitions and hope for the future grow; and as new inventions appear she realizes that there is a bigger world out there that she wants to be a part of. Although the turn of the century is approaching and Callie is ready to embrace it, her conservative Texas town and her society driven mother pose obstacles. Jacqueline Kelly not only transports readers to a sweltering Texas town in 1899 through details and historic accuracy of her debut novel, but places readers in the middle of scientific controversy and technological advancement. She successfully portrays the emotional turmoil of being an individual that young people encounter every day and translates it in to a different era. Readers are introduced to the controversy of Charles Darwin, the awe of telephones and automobiles, and just how different their way of life is. Recommended
My Thoughts...
It took me a little while to get drawn in to The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, but I think it had more to do with my reading situation than the text itself. While I am not a big fan of science and nature, I found that because this was the chosen outlet of interest and self discovery for the main character that I too became invested in her successes and experiences with it. I also found that I loved learning about the turn of the 20th century, a period that I seemed to forget from my one U.S. history class in high school. The fact that the book took place in rural Texas, where gender, social, and religious roles were so important and defined was especially interesting to me, and I enjoyed the story of those who were “before their time” and ready to break the molds, like Callie Vee. I really enjoyed that there were so many different stories within this larger story; because it was a good representation of all of the different factors one faces when growing up. There is a little side story for each aspect of Callie Vee’s growth, and since they are all different there is a little something for every reader. I personally found her desire to meddle in her brother’s love life amusing and cute, and I liked to learn about the courting rituals. I also laughed at how cute and personable all the different brothers were; and how this family really could have existed and lived like this.
In addition to the things I liked in this book, there were aspects that I think were particularly poignant and important for young adult literature and general. The historical fiction, for example, is a great way to introduce readers to the past and in this case introduce me to the past. I knew that there was controversy about Darwin’s Origin of Species, but this book goes a little deeper in to that, while also encouraging stepping outside the bounds of popular opinion. I also loved that each chapter featured an excerpt from this text. I loved the personal evolution of not only Calpurnia in this story, but of her brothers, her family, and society. It was great to read about Callie’s self-discovery amidst and her personal struggles, but it was even more interesting to see how they aligned with the social movement, technology, science, and already determined social roles. I also think the relationship and bond between Callie and her grandfather is important because it represents two generations coming together. Her grandfather taught her about the natural world and the past, while Callie kept her grandpa in the present. Young adults often forget that adults lived in another time and can shed light on a whole new world. I wondered what my grandparents really learned and lived through while reading this book. Overall I really enjoyed this book once I sat down and really started reading.
Oh, I did find it interesting that the author’s note acknowledged she took some liberties with history and that real historians would be able to pick them out. Well, I couldn’t and I wonder if young adults who have studied the period could.
Potential Reaction...
Callie Vee is eleven years old, an age similar to the target audience. What she shares in common with them is that she is growing up, facing challenges, and struggling to come in to her own. Although this story takes place in 1899 and the roles Callie faces are different than those of today’s young adults, readers will still be able to identify with her desire to pursue her interests and be herself. I think young girls, especially those that may be more interested in math, science, maybe academics in general, or sports than make-up and clothes would see themselves in Callie. I also think that students interested in science, nature, and history would be interested in the general circumstances and background of the story. I think the controversy and speculation around The Origin of Species in particular may encourage students to ask more questions about nature and evolution to their teachers, or inspire them to check out the book for themselves in the library. I am sure that some readers could find the fascination with nature and observation ‘boring,’ but I think that more students will find that they too want to know more about their surroundings. I think readers may become more aware of what is going on around them. They pay more attention to the squirrels in their back yard, or the different plants they see while out at lunch. I also think that they may become more aware of the social and gender roles that are set up around them. Of course women no longer take special classes in sewing or manners at school, but there are observable differences in their social roles. I wonder if female readers especially would begin to question this.
In addition to making the story relate to their own lives, I think readers will be interested in the historical setting. For example, young adults today have their cell phones attached to their fingers or ears at all times. I think it would be amazing for them to learn about the first telephone in one Texas town and how important it was. The same goes for automobiles. I think it will be eye opening for them to know how people lived before televisions and air conditioning. I also think readers will take interest in the courting story of Callie’s brother. I think some kids will laugh about all the formalities, but it would be an interesting contrast to today’s mating rituals. I do think that adult readers may hold a special place in their hearts for this book due to the family relationships, like that of Callie Vee and her grandpa. I think the intergenerational connection may be lost on younger readers. Then again, maybe the young readers will be close with their grandparents already or start asking questions about their lives and form a new bond.
Reminds Me Of...
I am drawing a complete blank here with titles, but I know I have read/heard/seen other young adult materials with similar themes. In particular I know I have read stories about girls wanting to step outside society’s prescribed social roles and explore other areas like Callie Vee. While this isn’t necessarily a coming of age story it is a coming in to one’s own story, and there are tons of books out there like this for young adults too. Based on my most recent class in Latino literature some coming to age books that come to mind are Becoming Naomi León and The Dreamer both by Pam Muñoz Ryan and Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez. I think The Dreamer in particular is similar to The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate because Neftalí’s character loves to write and wants to write, even though his father is dead set on him becoming a doctor, an engineer, or having another respectable profession. This story is also set in an older period and readers learn about social and territorial struggles in Chile. Neftalí, like Callie Vee, is also interesting in his surroundings. He collects treasures that inspire him, and he finds nature beautiful. Actually, the more I think about it, the more these titles could interest the same readers.
The historical fiction aspect of this book can also be found in many other titles. Recently I’ve read Fever 1793 and while it is not the same time period, it is another novel that follows a young girl’s struggle to survive while also growing up too quickly. The historical setting and background will appeal to those interested in history, science and medicine. I am sure that as I continue my journey through YA literature I will come across more titles that remind me of this one
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