The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

Audrey recommended this book, and I enjoyed it. It was a Newbery Honor book last year.

Calpurnia is an eleven year old girl living in Texas. She is the only daughter in a family of seven children. As the story unfolds in the year 1899 Texas is in the middle of a drought. We learn about Calpurnia, her family, and what life was like back then.

The book is entertaining and kept my interest the whole time. The Origin of the Species by Darwin is an element in the story, and each chapter of the book has an epigraph taken from Darwin's book. The epigraphs are cleverly chosen to hint at the chapter content, but don't give away what will really happen. I enjoyed rereading the epigraph after I read the chapter. I don't know how many children who read this book would do that, but I certainly did.

I would recommend the book. It's not heart stopping high adventure. It's good writing, and a good story.