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huntleeauld's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jomarch436's review against another edition
3.0
I've read the first two Calpurnia Tate books, meant for older children and they are some of my favorite children's books of all time. This new series is intended for a younger audience, so the story isn't as developed. This story was really cute, as were the illustrations. However, the ending felt a little bit... abrupt, like I needed a little more closure.
starnosedmole's review against another edition
4.0
Young Callie and her brother Travis can't help loving animals of all kinds. When Travis finds two abandoned skunk kits, the two tend to them. Set in early 1900s Texas, the story offers an old-fashioned charm that would appeal to fans of Little House on the Prairie. A charming slice-of-life early reader.
jmshirtz's review against another edition
3.0
This intermediate reader will appeal to children who are interested in animals or historical fiction. Callie and Travis' efforts to save two skunk kits is admirable, but I was very disappointed by their relationship. I really don't like name-calling in books and Callie's continuous reference to how her brother is an idiot or making stupid choices really bothered me.
emtobiasz's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't read the original middle grade Calpurnia Tate book, [b:The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate|6202556|The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (Calpurnia Tate, #1)|Jacqueline Kelly|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1437655533s/6202556.jpg|6383049], but I started picking up these first chapter books for my library and decided to read one for myself. I like the protagonist as a young naturalist, her relationship with her brother, the beautiful illustrations, and the idea of the historical Texas setting. I wish that setting (at least the year) had been mentioned explicitly somewhere, even on the back description (I looked at the original book to find it's set in 1899, but this one makes no mention of the actual time). I'm not sure how I feel about the family cook Viola and her use of a very gentle vernacular that I assume means she's African American, although the book never explicitly mentions anyone's race. That feels like the kind of historical detail that, while probably accurate to the time, needs to be addressed more explicitly in a book for young readers. I'm also somewhat disappointed by the lack of characterization of all characters besides Callie and Travis, but that can probably be blamed on the length of the book, its being first in a series (there's three out so far), and it being based on a longer book that has probably done that work. Overall, though, I'm glad to have a historical first chapter book series, particularly one about animals. I love the way love of animals and the desire to be a veterinarian is explicitly linked to nature as a science and not just an obsession with cute baby animals.
ohestelle's review
4.0
A book about a science-loving girl with her own fossil collection who has adventures with animals?! It’s as if this was written just for my daughter.
donifaber's review
4.0
It's really fun that Kelly has made these stories easier to share with younger readers.
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