THE CURIOUS WORLD OF CALPURNIA TATE
Whether wrangling a rogue armadillo or stray dog, a guileless younger brother or standoffish cousin, Callie Vee and her escapades will have readers laughing and crying in this return to Fentress, Texas. Travis keeps bringing home strays. And Callie has her hands full keeping the animals—her brother included—away from her mother’s critical eye. Will she succeed?
Whether wrangling a rogue armadillo or stray dog, a guileless younger brother or standoffish cousin, Callie Vee and her escapades will have readers laughing and crying in this return to Fentress, Texas. Travis keeps bringing home strays. And Callie has her hands full keeping the animals—her brother included—away from her mother’s critical eye. Will she succeed?
- Henry Holt and Co.
- Hardcover
- July 2015
- 320 Pages
- 9780805097443
Buy the Book
$16.99
About Jacqueline Kelly
Jacqueline Kelly won the Newbery Honor for The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, her first book. She was born in New Zealand and raised in Canada, in the dense rainforests of Vancouver Island. Her family then moved to El Paso, Texas, and Kelly attended college in El Paso, then went on to medical school in Galveston. After practicing medicine for many years, she went to law school at the University of Texas, and after several years of law practice, realized she wanted to write fiction. Her first story was published in the Mississippi Review in 2001. She now makes her home with her husband and various cats and dogs in Austin and Fentress, Texas.
Praise
“As curious and charming as ever.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Well worth waiting for.” —Booklist, starred review
“A warm, welcome stand-alone companion.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Tender and believable.” —School Library Journal, starred review
Discussion Questions
Why do the people in Fentress and the mayor of Galveston refuse to listen to Captain Tate’s prediction about the
storm? Why is he so sure the storm is going to occur? What other options does Captain Tate have to warn the
people?
When Calpurnia’s grandfather begins to teach Calpurnia about air pressure, he has Calpurnia make a barometer
even though he already has one. Calpurnia says, “This is going to be one of those lessons about learning something
from the ground up” (page 30). What does she mean by that statement? What other lessons does she learn from the
ground up?
Why is Aggie so unfriendly toward Calpurnia? How does Calpurnia negotiate with Aggie to get what she wants
from Aggie?
How do Calpurnia and her grandfather try to help Travis overcome his repulsion of blood and guts? Why is it
important for him to be able to look at blood without getting sick?
How does Calpurnia prove to Dr. Pritzker that she can handle the job of his assistant? Why is Dr. Pritzker so
surprised by Calpurnia’s actions and knowledge?
Calpurnia is overwhelmed by the secrets Travis and Aggie ask her to keep. What are those secrets? Why is
Calpurnia willing to cover for both Aggie and Travis?