The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
By Jacqueline Kelly
Set in Texas at the turn of the twentieth century, Calpurnia Virigina Tate (Callie Vee to her family) is the only girl in a family of seven children. She’s more interested in the natural world around her than she is in learning the “science of housewifery,” much to her mother’s horror. Callie Vee develops a close relationship with her granddaddy as he discovers her interest in Darwin’s theories and science in general. She finds herself having to evolve with the changes in herself, her family and the world around her.
I really enjoyed this book every step of the way. While I was reading though, I wondered how the author was going to wrap everything up. I found the ending…perfect and extremely satisfying. :) Callie Vee is hilarious and it’s a great coming-of-age story. And I’m a sucker for those ;)
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place:
The Mysterious Howling (Book 1)
By Maryrose Wood
Riva Pollard of School Library Journal summed this book up well when she said “Jane Eyre meets Lemony Snicket.” Penelope Lumley is a 15-year-old girl who is the newly hired governess at Ashton Place. She soon learns that she is in over her head when it is revealed that her three young charges are not actually the children of Lord Frederick and Lady Constance. The children were found on the expansive grounds at Ashton Place and seem to have been raised by wolves (literally). Gathering her courage, Penelope forges ahead to show the Lord and Lady that the little wolves can not only become tame, but civilized and loveable children.
There are two books in this series; I’ve only read the first one. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second one. The narrator interjects comments of what we would say “now-a-days” compared to what they did during Penelope’s day (it’s set sometime in the 19th century). I love a book that makes me laugh out loud.
North & South
P.S. This is the best movie. Ever. I saw it for the first time last weekend. I’ll take Mr. Thornton over Mr. Darcy any day. Now I just need to read the book.
