The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly is the coming-of-age story of an eleven year old girl at the turn of the 20^th century. “Callie Vee” as her brothers call her, is the only daughter in a fairly wealthy rural Texas household. She has six brothers and rebels inwardly at the notion that she must put aside her natural curiosity so she can learn to sew, cook and become a “lady”. While her brothers are allowed to be somewhat wild and free, Callie quietly follows her grandfather who teaches her things her mother and teachers have never considered necessary (or desirable) for girls’ education. Quite accurately, Calpurnia’s mother fears that “a diet of Darwin, Dickens, and her grandfather’s influence will make Callie unsatisfied with her life”.

This book won a Newbery Honor for 2010 and it is clear to see why. It is an entertaining historical fiction novel that shows women how far our gender has come in the past century! I would recommend it for girls 10-15 (grades 5-8) and all my grown-up friends who like historical fiction.

Grandma Dowdel is one of my all-time favorite book characters! I first met her in Richard Peck’s “A Long Way from Chicago” and then in his Newbery Award winning story, “A Year Down Yonder”.

Mrs. Dowdel is clever and resourceful and the kind of person who wields great influence (for good) without ever getting due credit for her remarkable wisdom and generosity. Those books took place during the Great Depression, but Peck’s latest book, “A Season of Gifts”, brings us all the way up to the year 1958. I resonate with the era – when I would have been a very young child much like little Ruth Ann Barnhart in the story.

The Barnharts have just moved into the house next door to Mrs. Dowdel. Mr. Barnhart has come as the new Methodist minister and has brought along his wife and three children – innocent little Ruth Ann, rebellious teenage daughter Phyllis, and bullied 12-year old Bob who narrates their season of trials and gifts spent in a small Midwestern town.

Peck truly has his own gift … storytelling. For those who love the style of the tale told by Ralphie in ‘The Christmas Story’ by Jean Shepherd (made into the classic Christmas movie) – pick up these (and other) books by Richard Peck. You won’t be sorry.