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shoelessmama's review against another edition
4.0
It's been a while since I read the first book but I really think I liked this second installment even more. So it makes me a little sad that as of this reading among Goodreads readers around 23,000 people read the first book but just under 2,000 have read the second. Hmmm.
I find the Hurricane that hit Galveston, Texas a fascinating part of history. This book only dealt with some of the repercussions of it but I still enjoyed the inclusion. I loved reading about Calpurnia's relationships with her brother Travis, her cousin Agatha and, of course, her grandfather. I was glad for all of the little bits concerning her ambitions and all that stood in her way during this time period. The way it was done really got my blood boiling, which I kind of love.
It wasn't until I had finished this that I read a few reviews saying that there wasn't much of a plot. Looking back I agree but it didn't affect my enjoyment of this book. Perhaps I didn't notice because I listened to this. If I had read it I may have found the lack of plot more obvious and liked this less, I don't know. However, I do remember being bored during parts of the first book and that never happened for me in this one.
I find the Hurricane that hit Galveston, Texas a fascinating part of history. This book only dealt with some of the repercussions of it but I still enjoyed the inclusion. I loved reading about Calpurnia's relationships with her brother Travis, her cousin Agatha and, of course, her grandfather. I was glad for all of the little bits concerning her ambitions and all that stood in her way during this time period. The way it was done really got my blood boiling, which I kind of love.
It wasn't until I had finished this that I read a few reviews saying that there wasn't much of a plot. Looking back I agree but it didn't affect my enjoyment of this book. Perhaps I didn't notice because I listened to this. If I had read it I may have found the lack of plot more obvious and liked this less, I don't know. However, I do remember being bored during parts of the first book and that never happened for me in this one.
stenaros's review against another edition
2.0
Read for Librarian Book Group
I was a great fan of Kelly's first book, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. I wasn't alone, it won a ton of awards including a Newbery honor. Which, I guess, means that this book came to pass, even as mediocre as it was. I couldn't find a plot thread to save my life, the entire book seemed to be episodic and rambling. Kelley also kept dropping broad hints as that other things would come to pass in a very "Duh, duh DUMMMMMM!!!!" way that set my teeth on edge, especially when this undermined the things that did come to pass, making them seem not quite the earth shattering events they were promised to be. I would suggest a re-read of the first book rather than spending time with this one.
I was a great fan of Kelly's first book, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. I wasn't alone, it won a ton of awards including a Newbery honor. Which, I guess, means that this book came to pass, even as mediocre as it was. I couldn't find a plot thread to save my life, the entire book seemed to be episodic and rambling. Kelley also kept dropping broad hints as that other things would come to pass in a very "Duh, duh DUMMMMMM!!!!" way that set my teeth on edge, especially when this undermined the things that did come to pass, making them seem not quite the earth shattering events they were promised to be. I would suggest a re-read of the first book rather than spending time with this one.
joyfulme's review against another edition
4.0
Even moreso than the first volume, this book reads like separate anecdotes rather than an overarching story. Still it’s such a thoughtful living book for discussing scientific study, inquisitiveness, and observation, and for life in Texas at the turn of the 20th century, including an account of the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900. I love how this family with Confederate sympathies is painted with warmth, dignity, and humanity in an age that seeks to vilify anything that is not submitted to today’s “woke” sensibilities. I love how Calpurnia’s hero is her own grandfather, and how she finds more reasons to adore him with every story of his past. While never directly addressed, the growing false dichotomy of faith vs science are hinted at. Even someone who does not believe in evolution or even in an earth that is millions of years old can appreciate that others, (like Cal,) take those theories in faith and are still considered scientists, and visa versa; even someone who does not believe in creationism or a young earth proponents can appreciate that Christians, (like Cal,) can be research-oriented scientists and still hold their beliefs as well. Calpurnia herself embodies the contrast. Darwin and his work is almost idolized (and still is by institutions today despite the fact that most of his theories have been debunked.) On the downside, there is little sympathy for traditional women’s roles even though such norms were born out of necessity prior to the era of washing machines, restaurant chains, and cheap clothes. The text does feature one “damn!” and the Lord’s name is taken in vain. It could be read independent of the first volume.
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
My 13-year-old son read these after watching me dissolve into laughter while reading them.
In Curious, when my son got to the part where Callie Vee discovers her father values her exactly half as much as her brothers, he marched into my room and demanded: "Why? Why did he do this? This is just wrong."
Teachers Note: The publisher offers a bare-bones teaching guide for the books. It's aimed at Common Core Standards for grades 4-6, in part because Social Studies CC Standards touching on the struggle for women's rights are not really addressed in the upper grades (7th/ 8th) SS standards.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
In Curious, when my son got to the part where Callie Vee discovers her father values her exactly half as much as her brothers, he marched into my room and demanded: "Why? Why did he do this? This is just wrong."
Teachers Note: The publisher offers a bare-bones teaching guide for the books. It's aimed at Common Core Standards for grades 4-6, in part because Social Studies CC Standards touching on the struggle for women's rights are not really addressed in the upper grades (7th/ 8th) SS standards.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
artist_lace's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I adore this series 💙
allen_h's review against another edition
4.0
Not as good as the first book, but it was still enjoyable and full of science. I expect more in the series.
nobookendinsight's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
stinalee's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed both of the Calpurnia Tate books and hope there will be more!
#popsugar Book with a Blue Cover
#popsugar Book with a Blue Cover
acrosby8's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written. It was nice to read Calpurina again. Calpurina is a strong role model for young girls. I hope that when a person reads this, they see that Calpurina isn't going to let facts just slip by. She's going to ask those questions that most people shy away from. Sad to see this book end but happy to have had the chance to read it.