The Evolution of Calpurina Tate

The Evolution by Calpurina Tate by Jaqueline Kelly, has so far been a great read. I think it is very detailed and I really like the setting and I think it is one of the main focuses of the story. It takes place in 1889 in a town in Texas. There aren't a lot of ways to stay cool in the summer so Calpurina or "Callie" for short discovers the wild life and the world around her. With the help of her grandfather she is becoming a naturalist and studying the insects and small town rodents in her town. She is the only girl out of seven children which makes her one of the most unique.

In the beginning of the book, Callie and her grandfather weren't close. They would stay on opposite sides of the house and did not really bond like most grandfathers would. A little bit later when Callie needs to find a book that a girl shouldn't be looking at, about wildlife she asks her grandfather for help. it just so happens that he has the book and then they start their adventure. They go into the woods together and search for interesting species, go camping on the lawn and capture a bat, and talk a lot about their feelings of being a naturalist. I think this is where their relationship gets stronger.

Their are also a lot of thoughts about growing up and becoming a civilized woman that her mother has always wanted her to be. Callie doesn't think this is important. She doesn't like the idea of having to wear layers and layers of petticoats and a corset underneath. Two layers of tights and thick boots and frankly I don't like that idea either! Who would?

In conclusion this book is getting really interesting and will hopefully have a great ending and I will learn more about Calpurina Tate and her grandfather!