The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

"The summer of 1899 is hot in Calpurnia's sleepy Texas town, and there aren't a lot of good ways to stay cool. Her mother has a new wind machine, but instead, Callie's comtemplating cutting off her hair, one sneaky inch at a time. She's also spending a lot of time at the river with her notoriously cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist. But just when Callie and her grandfather are about to make an amazing discovery, the reality of Callie's situation catches up with her. She's a girl at the turn of the century, expected to cook and sew. What a waste of time! Will Callie ever find a way to take control of her own destiny?"

From the back of The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly, published 2009. Designated a 2010 Newbery Honor Book.

Synopsis
At the turn of the 20th century, Callie Vee Tate's small Texas town gets their very first telephone. Callie, much like the residents of her small town, is going through a life-changing time. She's about to turn twelve, and her mother is anxious to teach her the 'science of house-wifery.' Between knitting socks and trying to bake apple pies, Callie joins her grandfather in exploring the outdoors and secretly flips through the pages of The Origin of the Species.

Characters

 * Calpurnia Virginia Tate: "Callie Vee" is the main character and narrator of the story. She's a bright, eleven-year old girl who wants to explore the world around her even while she lives under the restrictions of 1899.
 * Walter Tate: "Grandaddy" or "Captain Tate" Callie experiences science and exploration as her relationshp with him grows.
 * Alfred Tate: Callie's father, who works at a cotton gin.
 * Margaret Tate: Callie's mother, a strict and traditional woman who wants to teach her daughter how to grow into a respectable house-wife one day.

Other Books In Series

 * The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate (sequel), released July 2015

Awards

 * 2010 Newbery Honor Book
 * IRA Children's Book Award