By: Richard C.,
on 7/9/2015
Calpurnia (who wants to be a nature scientist), her loveable granddaddy, her brother Travis (who is prone to adopting stray animals), and the rest of her family will entertain and warm your heart. This is a wonderful companion to the award-winning Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. Books mentioned in this post The Curious World of Calpurnia [...]
If you love books as much as we do, we know you'll love our selection of titles that highlights some of the best new kids books; including a never-before-seen picture book by Dr. Seuss and some highly anticipated sequels!
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By: Chris Barton,
on 6/25/2015
This month, one subscriber to my Bartography Express newsletter will win a copy of The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate (Henry Holt and Co.) by Jacqueline Kelly.
If you’re not already receiving Bartography Express, click the image below for a look. If you like what you see, click “Join” in the bottom right corner, and you’ll be in the running for the giveaway at the end of this week.
By: Betsy Bird,
on 5/21/2012
#66 The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly (2009)
30 points
(I will be in a purple froth if this book does not make the top 100!) – Dana Chidiac
Purple froth avoided! This Newbery Honor winner makes its debut on our list this time around. Ignored on the 2010 poll I’m pleased to see it climb quite high this time around.
The description from my review reads, “It’s 1899 and eleven-year-old Calpurnia Tate is the sole and single girl child in a family full of six brothers. She is generally ignored until one day she asks her grandfather a question: Where did the huge yellow grasshoppers that appeared during the unusually hot summer come from? Grandfather, an imposing figure the children usually avoid, merely says that he’s sure she’ll figure it out on her own. Only when she does exactly that does he begin to take an interest in her. Before long Calpurnia finds herself a naturalist in the making. Grandfather teaches her about evolution and the natural world, which is wonderful, but it’s really not the kind of thing a girl of her age and era would learn. Between adventures involving her brothers, her friends, and a whole new species of plant, Calpurnia must come to terms with what she is and what the world expects her to be. Ms. Kelly prefaces each chapter with a quote from Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species.”
The inspiration for the book itself is not difficult to find. In a Q&A with Macmillan Ms. Kelly explained it all in no uncertain terms: “This book was inspired by a summer sojourn in my big old 120-year-old farmhouse in Fentress, Texas. With the thermometer almost boiling over, I began to wonder how people stood the heat a hundred years ago with no air conditioning, especially since they had to wear all those clothes. Callie and her entire family sprang to life at that moment. The book was also inspired by the sight of a big yellow grasshopper and a small green grasshopper sunning themselves on one of the window screens. They looked so different that I wondered if they were different species or not. I spent a lot of time trying to figure this out but never could. Alas, the grasshoppers have refused an interview.”
As for the path to publication, I learned from The Write Stuff that Jacqueline Kelly won the 2002 Manuscript Contest Mainstream Fiction category with the first chapter of this book. Mind you, that was a full seven year gap between winning the contest and the book’s actual publication.
And the sequel? Well, recently Ms. Kelly put the finishing touches on a sequel . . . to The Wind in the Willows. Yep! In an interview with SLJ back in 2009, Ms. Kelly said that it was her favorite book when she was younger. This year on October 30th we shall see her Return to the Willows, illustrated by Clint Young. But after THAT I was told at a recent Macmillan librarian preview that a sequel to Calpurnia is
By: Beth Kephart ,
on 1/28/2011
What am I reading now? The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
I’ve always had this desire to work at a children’s bookstore. A desire that stems from my passion for children’s literature. I’m happy to report that now I actually do. The Flying Dragon Bookshop is a dream come true. It’s everything I imagined and more.
I describe The Flying Dragon Bookshop as a treasure chest. Those who venture through its door are fortunate enough to behold the jewels that lie within. And let me tell you, there are many. I’m not only talking about the books but also the people.
At the helm, you’ll find a trio of bona fide experts — Cathy Francis, Nina McCreath and Vikki VanSickle. If you’ve got a book related question, you can be sure they’ve got the answer. They encompass a wealth of knowledge that is revered by many, including me. But the speciality of The Flying Dragon Bookshop doesn’t end there.
The tight-knit group that works there is a family. They desire nothing more then to see each other thrive. The same holds true for the patrons that frequent the bookshop religiously. They aren’t just customers, they’re friends.
Being able to match the perfect book with the perfect person at the perfect moment is a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. I’m glad that somebody is me.
“The Flying Dragon Bookshop on the wings of a child’s imagination.”
By: Jennie,
on 4/15/2010
It's the Texas summer of 1899 and it's hot and dry. Calpurnia is about to turn twelve and is the middle child of 7--and the only girl. She doesn't like to cook or sew (but her mother's going to make her learn.) She likes to explore and notice the world around her and this curiosity leads her into a friendship with her eccentric grandfather. There isn't a whole lot of plot going on, but rather chronicles Calpurnia's day-to-day life and outlines her struggles in turn-of-the-century society. She wants to go to the university and be a scientist. Her mother wants her to be a debutante.
It's a quiet book that will appeal to your more serious readers. Kelly paints such a fantastic portrait of a small town on the brink of change at the end of the century. The first phone line comes, people see their first automobile at the state fair. Calpurnia deals with the troubles of having six brothers, along with the trails of piano recitals and pie dough. I didn't think I'd like this one, but I was sucked into Calpurnia's world and her family, her experiments and friends. I ate it up in just a day.
Also, Liz says what I would like to say, but much better than I do, so you should just read what she says.
But this is just one of the reasons why I love Calpurnia:
One day, I would have all the books in the world. Shelves and shelves of them. I would live my life in a tower of books. I would read all day long and eat peaches. And if any young knights in armor dared to come calling on their white chargers and plead with me to let down my hair, I would pelt them with peach pits until they went home.
Book Provided by... my local library
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If there was a theme in what the many published writers said at the Austin SCBWI conference a couple weeks ago, it was that perseverance is an important part of their success.
Three of this year’s ALA winners were there — Jacqueline Kelly (The Evolution of Capurnia Tate), Marla Frazee and Liz Garton Scanlon (All the World illustrator and author) and Chris Barton (The Day-Glo Brothers) — and they all told tales of facing many rejections before publication and of pursuing their dreams of being published for years before making them a reality.
Kirby Larson, author of the 2007 Newbery Honor book Hattie Big Sky, said she received piles of rejection letters before her publishing career began. Finally, after many years of trying and taking a 10-day course that happened over her daughter’s birthday — what a sacrifice — she sold her first picture books. A few more followed, but then she didn’t sell anything for seven years. That’s when she tried a different type of writing and Hattie Big Sky was born.
Former editor and now full-time author Lisa Graff explained that for her last book, Umbrella Summer, she wrote 18 complete drafts.
Yesterday, this theme was reinforced in an article in the Los Angeles Times about non-fiction author Rebecca Skloot, whose The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks appeared on Amazon’s bestseller list immediately after the book debuted on Feb. 2. This was all after Skloot spent 10 years working on the book and went through three publishing houses, four editors and two agents.
All these writers shared something in common: They didn’t give up.
So, the motto for today: Never give up.
Write On!
Sorry if you came here on Saturday looking for this post. I had a busy weekend and didn’t get to my computer much.
But here is day six of my reports from the Austin SCBWI conference. First, a quick recap of my other reports: agent Mark McVeigh on publishing, agent Andrea Cascardi on getting and working with an agent, editor Cheryl Klein on writing a great book, agent Nathan Bransford on finding the right agent for you and author/former editor Lisa Graff on writing and revising.
Today I’m featuring three of this year’s ALA award winners, all of whom show that success comes from perserverance.
Jacqueline Kelly, author of the 2010 Newbery Honor book The Evolution of Capurnia Tate, said the inspiration for her book came after she fell in love with a really old house that’s falling down. As she sat on its porch one day, she could hear the main character come alive in her head and recite the book’s first paragraph to her.
She first wrote about the characters in a short story, and it was her critique group members that encouraged her to expand it into a novel.
Capurnia Tate was rejected by 12 publishers before it was picked up.
If it wasn’t for Jacqueline’s critique group and her perserverance, we would not have Capurnia Tate to enjoy today.
Acclaimed illustrator Marla Frazee, whose picture book All the World is a 2010 Caldecott Honor book, has had similar perserverance during her career. She said it took 12 years to get her first book, then another five years before her second.
She said picture books are a collaboration between words and pictures, with the two working together to tell the story. Sometimes the pictures will illustrate the words completely, and other times the pictures will add new meaning to the words. For example, she showed a picture from her book A Couple of Boys Have The Best Week Ever, in which the words say the character is sad to leave his parents but the picture shows him excited and happy.
Marla said
By: Mark G. Mitchell,
on 1/21/2010
It’s been a landmark week for Austin children’s writers. Three of our gang scored top honors -- a Caldecott Honor, a Sibert Honor and a Newbery Honor — from the American Library Association.
Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Our Austin, Texas chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers (SCBWI) is a little dazed after last weekend’s 2010 award announcements. Austin’ s Jacqueline Kelly received a Newbery Honor for her YA novel The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate about a girl growing up at the turn of the 19th century. The picture book poem All the World penned by Liz Garton Scanlon of Austin and illustrated by Marla Frazee was named one of the two Caldecott Honor books. (Frazee’s second Caldecott Honor.)
"All the World" by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee
And The Day-Glo Brothers written by Chris Barton of Austin and illustrated with retro lines and Day-Glo colors by Tony Persiani won a Sibert Honor for children’s nonfiction. (From the ALA – “The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the preceding year.”)
Our SCBWI chapter claims all three of these writers and we’ll claim Frazee, too. So that makes four.
All four, as it just so happens had been scheduled to present at the Austin SCBWI regional 2010 conference “Destination Publication” next weekend (January 30) with an already honors heavy line-up of authors, editors and agents. Marla is giving the keynote address along with Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson (Hatti Big Sky)
Another Texan, Libba Bray won the Michael L. Printz Award
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By: Lizzy Burns,
on 12/31/2009
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
& Co. 2009. Listened to Brilliance Audio version (2009), copy supplied by Brilliance Audio. Narrated by Natalie Ross. Middle Grade Fiction.
The Plot: It's 1899, and Calpurnia Virginia Tate is twelve. Well, actually eleven. But she's the type who thinks twelve is an acceptable answer. It's a hot summer in Texas. Calpurnia, sometimes Callie Vee, is the middle child, with three older brothers and three younger, most named for Texas heroes. Her family is well off; as the only daughter, her mother has plans for her. Plans that include cookery and knitting and housewife skills and possibly being a debutante. It's not what Callie wants. But what does Callie want?
A chance conversation with her imposing Grandfather Tate about grasshoppers leads her science. And studying nature. And to realizing that there is more to life than her corner of Texas. But is it realistic for a girl to dream of being more than what her family wants her to be?
The Good: A look at six months in the life of one girl, when she begins to leave childhood behind and become her own person. Told with a lot of humor and love, with details for the grown up reader to love, such as the warm, loving, physical relationship between Callie's oh so formal and proper parents.
How many times do kids in books (boys or girls) like, I mean really, really like, science? Science and nature and observation are all key parts of the story; scientists are mentioned, and a quote from Darwin starts each chapter.
Callie wonders why suddenly there are both green and yellow grasshoppers and asks her grandfather. Years before, Grandfather passed the running of the family business (cotton and pecans) to his son, Callie's father, and Grandfather now spends his days indulging in a love of and passion for science. He tells Callie to figure it out herself, and so starts what becomes a beautiful grandparent/grandchild relationship. Grandfather, who cannot quite keep track of all the children in his son's large family, slowly rejoins the family to become Callie's "Granddaddy" while Callie blooms as she turns her love of being outdoors and books and animals into something more than a passing fancy.
The supporting characters are fully drawn. Mother, who uses an alcohol-ladden ladies tonic to ease her headaches, wants for Callie all that Mother either had or wanted as a child. Which means cooking, and sewing, and embroidery, and perhaps being a debutante. Her mother fails to see that Callie has her own dreams; and Callie, just 11 (almost 12), doesn't know how to please her mother and follow her own desires. Cooking and "housewifery" isn't shown to be wrong; it's just shown to not be what Callie likes doing. Her friend Lula likes it; as does her mother. But it's not for Callie.
Likewise, Granddaddy, who spent his life doing what he had to do -- building a business and life for his family -- only now does what he wants. Granddaddy doesn't appear to give his full support to C
By: Melissa Wiley,
on 9/30/2009
Why, I wonder, am I so compelled to write about my reading life? I suppose it has something to do with memory, with holding on to things (we recall best those things which we have narrated, as Charlotte Mason was astute enough to recognize), and also with the way putting thoughts into words, written words, shifts vague and swirling impressions to coherent observations, connections, understanding.
Then, too, the urge to talk (write) about books springs also from booklover’s enthusiasm: when I’ve enjoyed something, or even just parts of something, I am eager, eager, eager to share. This creates all sorts of readerly, writerly dilemmas for me: sometimes I start conversations that I can’t squeeze out time to finish (though, in my mind, they are never finished, never closed; and I’m always figuring I’ll have a chance to chime in at some point). Sometimes I want to talk about books that I mostly loved, but I had this one quibble with a plot point, or I thought the ending was weak, or the first-person narrative voice was an unfortunate choice, or—well, any critical observations at all, and if the author is a living person, I find myself completely paralyzed at the prospect of putting my criticism in print. (Which is why, of course, I’m not a book reviewer by trade.)
Then, of course, there’s the spoiler problem, over which I’ve sweated here before. For example, I want to tell you all about how much I enjoyed Rebecca Stead’s excellent middle-grade novel, When You Reach Me—but if I say anything, practically anything at all, I’ll give away things I’d rather you discovered yourself in the pages of the book, in the perfect way Stead has chosen to reveal them to you. I can say that it’s about a girl who reads A Wrinkle in Time repeatedly, constantly; that her best friend, a boy, abruptly withdraws from her; that her mother is a single, working mom hoping for a chance to shine on $20,000 Pyramid; that it’s 1979; that there’s a mystery; that there are characters I will never forget, completely fresh, completely believable; that I haven’t read a novel that nails the flavor of New York City so perfectly since, gosh, Harriet the Spy. But none of that tells you what I loved most about the book, or what makes it sing, or why I won’t soon forget it. I can’t tell you those things until you’ve read it—and then you won’t need me to, because you’ll know too.
Or how about The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly? I loved it: this funny, tangy tale of an eleven-year-old girl, surrounded by brothers on a Texas pecan farm in 1899, with a mother yearning for a girly-girl, a fascination with the critters whose doings she records in her very important notebook, and an aloof, bewhiskered grandfather who has never, until now, seemed to notice her existence? I was delighted by the way Callie and her grandfather become acquainted with one another via their mutual interest in the natural world—he’s a correspondent of Charles Darwin and an amateur naturalist and scientist, ever on the lookout for a new species of flora or fauna that might add his name to the rolls of the distinguished discoverers of the day. At first he reacts to Callie rather as if she’s a curious new species herself, and the feeling is mutual. Slowly, they bond…oh, I loved it, the slow revelation of kindred spirits. And meanwhile, there are family antics, and wondrous new technology coming to town (a telegraph! an automobile!), and Callie has to figure out how to carve out time for her burning interests when the womenfolk in her life demand piano practice and embroidery and cookery lessons. Certainly there have been many books tackling a girl’s struggles to define and defend her own identity as the people around her seem determined to squeeze her into a mold she isn’t sure fits—I’ve worked with that theme myself, in my Martha books—but I don’t think we’ve ever seen anyone quite like Miss Calpurnia Tate. It’s the setting, the context, that sold me on this book: I’d place it with The Great Brain and Ginger Pye on my mental bookshelf: episodic, comical, historically delicious novels full of eccentric and lovable characters, with that something extra that sets them apart from the crowd.
And I’ve ten times written and deleted a sentence of criticism about one of these two novels, which my what-if-I-hurt-the-writer’s-feelings cowardice will not allow me to keep intact. How’s that for some obnoxious ambiguity?
By: Mark G. Mitchell,
on 9/30/2009
What does this short animated clip have to do with John Singer Sargent or children’s book illustration?
A quoi ca sert l’amour, a short animation by Louis Clichy, with thanks to illustrator and animation/game artist Amanda Williams for finding this. She called it “brutal and adorable.”
If a child-friendly story had illustrations with these lines — and visual characters as memorable as these, and color the way John Singer Sargent used it in his painted scenes, it would be some picture book, right?
I’m assembling my fantasy football — I mean illustration project — team here.
So, starting with the cartoon: What makes these stick figures tug at your emotions as they do?
The honesty? That we know these people? And been these people?
The “simple” (but oh-so-sophisticated) graphics with their varied perspectives and 360 degree “camera revolutions”?
All the fast cutting and surprise transitions?
The song? Edith Piaf’s and Theo Sarapo’s singing?
The subject?
Could some of this aplomb be translated into picture book illustrations?
Are these enough questions for now?
OK, so let’s add some color and texture. John Singer Sargent had a knack for these.
Thanks to Chicago based painter Raymond Thornton for finding this.
I know. Sargent is the painter who gives all other painters inferiority complexes. We don’t now a lot about how he made his palette choices. (We know that he looked carefully.)
So enough with dream teaming. We’ve got some housecleaning items today.
Two powerhouse chapters of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) have announced their 2010 pow-wows — both set for early next year.
Austin SCBWI comes first with Destination Publication featuring a Caldeecott Honor Illustrator and Newberry Honor Author, along with agents, editors, more authors, another fab illustrator, critiques, portfolio reviews and parties.
Mark the date – Saturday, January 30, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Get the full lowdown and the registration form here. Send in your form pronto if you’re interested — more than 100 people have already signed up. Manuscript crtiques are already sold out. But a few portfolio reviews are still open at this writing!
Destination Publication features Kirby Larson, author of the 2007 Newbery Honor Book, Hattie Big Sky and Marla Frazee, author-illustrator of A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, which received a Caldecott Honor Award, and more recently All the World penned (all 200 words of it) by Austin’s own children’s author/poet Liz Garton Scanlon.
Frazee teaches children’s book illustration at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. She and Scanlon plan to talk about their collaboration. You can read wonderful essays by them on this very topic here.
"All the World" by Liz Garton Scanlon and Marla Frazee
The faculty also includes: Cheryl Klein, senior editor at Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic, Lisa Graff, Associate Editor at Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers, Stacy Cantor, Editor, Bloomsbury USA/Walker Books For Young Readers, Andrea Cascardi agent with Transatlantic Literary Agency (and a former editor), another former editor, Mark McVeigh who represents writers, illustrators, photographers and graphic novelists for both the adult and children’s markets, and agent Nathan Bransford.
The conference also features authors Sara Lewis Holmes, Shana Burg, P. J. Hoover, Jessica Lee Anderson, Chris Barton, Jacqueline Kelly, Jennifer Ziegler, Philip Yates, and illustrator Patrice Barton.
Read more about everyone here.
Houston SCBWI has announced the (still developing) lineup for its conference just three weeks after Austin’s: Saturday, February 20, 2010. Registration is NOW OPEN.
It headlines Cynthia Leitich Smith, acclaimed author of short stories, funny picture books, Native American fiction, and YA Gothic fantasies, Ruta Rimas, assistant editor Balzer & Bray/HarperCollin, and Patrick Collins, creative director at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers. Collins art directs and designs picture books, young adult novels and middle grade fiction.
Among the recent picture books he has worked on: Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?, Old Penn Station and Rosa, which was a Caldecott Honor book.
The conference also features Alexandra Cooper, senior editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Lisa Ann Sandell, senior editor at Scholastic Inc., and Sara Crowe, an agent with Harvey Klinger, Inc. in New York.
You can download Houston conference info and registration sheets from this page.
No, you don’t have to be Texan to register for either of these big events. You just have to be willing to get here for them.
Remember that just about any SCBWI conference or workshop is a great education for a very modest investment.
* * * * *
Speaking of great educations for a very modest investment, Mark Mitchell, author of this post and host of this blog teaches classes in children’s book illustration at the Austin Museum of Art Art School and online. Learn more about the online course here — or sample some color lessons from the course here.
By: Amanda,
on 7/26/2009
Back in May I gave a rave review of The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly and have already recommended it to several middle graders over the past couple of months, to good results. I love the story, love the main character, and love the cover, and the kids I've passed it onto seem to agree.
The kind people over at Henry Holt have offered up three copies of the finished books for me to give to three lucky winners....a pretty nice Sunday afternoon treat I would say!
To enter, leave a comment on this post by Wednesday night at 11:59pm, Eastern time, with an email address (in case you win) if you don't have a blog for me to go to. Open to U.S. residents only. To get a second and a third entry, blog about the contest and/or Twitter about it. Leave a separate comment for each entry.
Thanks again Henry Holt!
By: Marya Jansen-Gruber,
on 6/26/2009
By: Amanda,
on 5/13/2009
What a charming, lovely book. The cover will be the first thing to catch your eye and reel you in.... leaving you the feeling of home, love, and something old-fashioned. Jacqueline Kelly has created an adorable middle grade novel that will completely charm children and parents alike, making a great story for sharing together as a family.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate follows the title character, 11 year old Calpurnia during the hot summer of 1899 as she begins to discover the world around her. Smack dab in the middle of six brothers and the only girl, Calpurnia has never really had anything that was just hers, until she begins spending time with her grumpy grandfather...the man that everyone else in the family is afraid of.
Her grandfather teaches her all about nature in a time when Charles Darwin has just come out with a controversial book. Callie Vee learns all about microscopes, plants, trees, and organisms. The pair conducts experiments, attempt to discover new plant species, and have a good time just chatting with one another on their walks through the woods. Unfortunately, Calpurnia's mother does not think that she being a "naturalist" is a good plan and at all and insists that Calpurnia learn how to properly sew, cook, and be a homemaker...the things a girl at the turn of the century should be doing.
The spunky, outgoing, vivacious girl is such a breath of fresh air on every single page and the history of the time period is embedded into the story effortlessly and brilliantly. Family relationships are as much as an important plot aspect as the nature and education aspects. Each family member is able to learn something from Callie Vee and she from them.
A truly charming, wonderful story for your middle grader or a great family read aloud or book club choice for kids. I loved this story and think it needs a place in every library. Brilliant!
To learn more or to purchase, click on the book cover above to link to Amazon.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Jacqueline Kelly
352 pages
Middle Grade fiction
Henry Holt
9780805088410
May 2009
Very glad to see this on this list! And I hadn’t pictured a sequel, but that’s perfect, since we don’t know how or even if Callie will be able to achieve any of her desires.
A sequel to Calpurnia! That I did not know.
(I reviewed The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate for SLJ! I was so happy to do so. Forgive me for bragging. I’m happy reviewing anything for SLJ, but this remains one of my favorites.)
Yeah, I thought about mentioning that you wrote that review, Jennifer. Then I figured I hadn’t mentioned who the other reviewers were on other books so I kept mum. But I did indeed notice last night and felt good I knew you.
I really enjoyed reading this when it was published and am happy to see it on the list. Looking forward to the sequel, and more of Callie and her family.
Well, I have to say I’m tickled pink by all of this. Thanks, everyone!
Jackie Kelly
Aww, that’s sweet, Betsy. Thank you. Jackie, I cannot wait to find out what happens to Callie!