Calpurnia is the only girl of seven children she doesn't want to do the boring things of growing up like practicing piano and sewing. She would rather swim in the river or play. When Calpurnia discovers that the grasshoppers in her house are two different colors she wonders about it. She decides to take out Mr. Darwin's book about evolution. She goes to the public library but looking for the book doesn't go right. What she doesn't know is that her grandfather has the same book in his library at the house. That begins the friendship of Calpurnia and her grandfather who everyone thinks is a little crazy. This was a very lovable book I enjoyed it.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
By Jacqueline Kelly
Book 1 of 2 in the
Calpurnia Tate Series
| Interest Level | Reading Level | Reading A-Z | ATOS | Word Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 4 - 8 | Grades 4 - 8 | Y | 5.3 | 80972 |
Calpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old in 1899 when she wonders why the yellow grasshoppers in her Texas backyard are so much bigger than the green ones.With a little help from her notoriously cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist, she figures out that the green grasshoppers are easier to see against the yellow grass, so they are eaten before they can get any larger. As Callie explores the natural world around her, she develops a close relationship with her grandfather, navigates the dangers of living with six brothers, and comes up against just what it means to be a girl at the turn of the century.
Debut author Jacqueline Kelly deftly brings Callie and her family to life, capturing a year of growing up with unique sensitivity and a wry wit.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is a 2010 Newbery Honor Book and the winner of the 2010 Bank Street - Josette Frank Award. This title has Common Core connections.
Publisher: Square Fish
Published on 1/4/2011
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 352
Book Reviews (78)
Good book for when you are bored. very sciency & takes more thought than other books. But over all, it is a very good book.
This is an amazing book! It takes place in 1889 and shows how a little girl and her grandfather, a naturalist, come together thanks to science. The time the story takes place plays an important role in the lives of the characters. This is a must read!
I won this book from a dogobooks free book giveaway and I'm so glad I did. It is a must read book. Don't keep staring at the screen! Read it so you can find the real adventure.
Calpurnia loves science, does not like stitching, sewing or cooking, and would hang with and learn from her Grandpa all day if she were allowed. This story takes place during the turn of the 20th century in Texas, near where I used to live. There are lots of big words, but I learned them by looking them up and it made this book so much more fun!
This book is fantastic. It has a few different plots bits - Calpurnia and her grandfather, with their shared love for science, and the fact that in the time the story is set, it is frowned upon for women and girls to deal in math and science. I recommend The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate to just about everyone.
Calpurnia Tate is a girl who is very curious and likes to explore new things. My favorie part of the book was when Calpurnia wondered about the size of the different colored grasshoppers. This book is calm and soothing for me:)
Hi guys i have heard that there is cool science in the book and it is interesting.
good book for when your bored or have a project in school. very sciency and takes more thought than most books. but over all it is a very good book.
I enjoyed The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate a lot. It's about this girl named Calpurnia who lives with her parents, six brothers, and her grandfather in the hot summer of 1899 in Texas. As Calpurnia begins to study the natural world around her, she becomes close to her grandfather who is studying science, dodges her mother's concern of doing lady-like chores, and navigates through the dangerous path of living with her six brothers, shaping her future life and career. I thought this book was very interesting and exciting.