The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly- Newbery Honour Book 2010

So, I’ve decided to read all the Newbery Honour books since I’ve already read the winner.  I want to know if I agree with their choice!

I chose to read this one first because of the cover.  Isn’t it fun?  Anyway, Calpurnia Tate is a twelve-year-old girl with six brothers, three older and three younger.  She lives in Texas at the turn of the century (the 20th that is).  Her grandfather is distant and most of the kids are afraid of him (if not all), until Calpurnia goes to him with a question about grasshoppers.  He tells her she’s smart enough, she should figure it out herself.  When she figures it out she reports to him and they begin to develop a relationship based on their mutual interest in the natural world.

The book is really about Calpurnia’s relationship with her grandfather.  There isn’t a major plot and while I really liked the book, I can see that it might not appeal to the younger audiences like When You Reach Me would.  That being said, I still think I would have enjoyed this book as a twelve-year-old…I just can’t see reading it to my seven-year-old anytime soon.

But, I did really like it.  Calpurnia was a likable protagonist and her brothers were entertaining as well.  There was also a coming-of-age aspect to the book, both for Calpurnia and some of her brothers.  I like the Kelly’s writing style as well.  I can’t quite put my finger on what appealed to me but it did.  I can see why this was chosen as one of the honour books, and I would recommend it but I also see why it didn’t win the actual prize.  Not because it isn’t good, but because When You Reach Me is better.