Youth New Fiction - Lower Level - KELLY
Calpurnia Virgina Tate, known to her family mostly as Callie V, is 11 years old and right in the middle of six brothers. It’s Texas, near the turn of the last century. Callie would like to learn more about that Mr. Darwin’s ideas, but the librarian at her small town library absolutely refuses to let a little girl check out such a dangerous book. When he hears about this, her fearsome Granddaddy takes her into his own private library and lends her his own copy. Thus begins a tender relationship between Callie and her grandfather, an amateur naturalist. He teaches her the basics of observing and collecting; she listens to his stories of the War and finds things in life much more interesting than the housekeeping and handiwork skills her mother thinks so important. Callie struggles also with three of her brothers going sweet on her best friend, the trials of her favorite oldest brother falling in love, and the humiliations of the piano recital. In spite of her growing awareness of the oppressiveness of her role and the lack of options for women, Callie has a great sense of humor, making hers a truly delightful story. I hope to hear more from you soon, Miss Callie.
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