The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
#1 of 2 in Calpurnia Tate Series
on Goodreads (35,279)
What’s inside...
The story is about an 11-year-old girl named Calpurnia Tate who lives in Texas in 1899. She develops a close relationship with her grandfather, who introduces her to the world of science and naturalism, and she starts to question the traditional gender roles and expectations of her time. Calpurnia Virginia Tate is curious about the natural world and, with the guidance of her grandfather, discovers why yellow grasshoppers in her backyard are bigger than the green ones. As she continues to explore, she navigates life with six brothers and confronts the societal expectations for girls during her era. The debut author Jacqueline Kelly skillfully portrays Callie's year of growth with sensitivity and humor.
Discussion points
How does Calpurnia's curiosity help her learn about the natural world? Can you think of a time when your curiosity helped you learn something new?
What challenges does Calpurnia face being a young scientist in her time? How does she overcome these challenges?
Why do you think Calpurnia's relationship with her grandfather is important in the story? How does it influence her growth and discoveries?
How do the descriptions of the environment in the book make you feel about nature? What is your favorite part of nature to explore?
If you were Calpurnia, what scientific question would you want to explore and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences to Calpurnia’s adventures, fostering a deeper connection to the story and its themes.
Discuss the historical context of the book, focusing on the challenges of pursuing science as a young girl during that era, to add depth to the reading experience.
Explore Calpurnia’s discoveries together by researching more about the wildlife and natural elements mentioned in the book.
Reinforce the idea of perseverance and curiosity as positive traits, by highlighting Calpurnia’s determination in the face of obstacles.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge
Explanation: The protagonist, Calpurnia, is a young, inquisitive girl who explores the natural world around her. Her curiosity is encouraged by her grandfather, who guides her scientific investigations.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to ask questions and explore the world around them, promoting lifelong learning and observation skills.
Example Lesson: Challenging gender roles
Explanation: Calpurnia faces societal expectations of women during the 1890s but strives to pursue her passion for science despite these limitations.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of pursuing their interests and talents regardless of societal stereotypes about gender roles. Demonstrates that they can define their own paths.
Example Lesson: Importance of mentorship
Explanation: Calpurnia’s relationship with her grandfather shows how an encouraging and supportive mentor can positively impact a child's development and confidence in their abilities.
Real-World Application: Highlights the value of having positive role models and mentors in fostering a child’s talents and boosting their confidence.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of adversity
Explanation: Throughout the book, Calpurnia encounters several challenges, but her determination and resilience help her to overcome them.
Real-World Application: Instills the value of perseverance and resilience in children, teaching them to tackle challenges with determination.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature and scientific inquiry
Explanation: The book showcases the beauty and complexity of the natural world through Calpurnia’s explorations and studies with her grandfather.
Real-World Application: Encourages environmental awareness and scientific thinking in children, promoting respect and care for nature.