Although The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is set in Texas, 1899, I saw a lot of myself in her...aways fun for a reader! Curious, outdoorsy, feeling pre...moreAlthough The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is set in Texas, 1899, I saw a lot of myself in her...aways fun for a reader! Curious, outdoorsy, feeling pretty wretched about being a girl. Her grandfather, a devoted naturalist in his retirement years, takes her under his wing and stokes her mind with science and the exploration of the natural world.
Callie Vee, as she is called in her family, is an 11-almost-12-year old sadwiched between three older brothers and three younger brothers. Her mother, determined to transform Calpurnia into a proper young lady,forces piano practice, lessons in the kitchen, and entry of Callie Vee's homecrafts into the County Fair. Calpurnia, on the other hand, would rather be exploring the local flora and fauna with her grandfather and entering her observations into her "Notebook." She longs for a vision of her future that doesn't involve cooking, cleaning, sewing, and starting it all over again the next day. When she and her grandfather discover a possible new species, they send their findings off to the Smithsonian Institution and wait for a response.
The language is clever. The characters are fun. Ms. Kelly deftly handles the culture shifts of a post-Civil War/Emmancipation era in rural Texas and makes the pursuit of scientific learning an attractive proposition...a plus for books with female leads. You may find yourself so busy rooting for young Calpurnia, that you'll end up neglecting your own household chores!(less)
My copy of this book is littered with post-it tags and notes. It has given me an interesting look into the world I'm writing about with Gaia Girls Air...moreMy copy of this book is littered with post-it tags and notes. It has given me an interesting look into the world I'm writing about with Gaia Girls Air Apparent. Kane's writing of the people and places from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean are vivid and wonderful. It is an impressive tale.(less)
I love this book! It is giving me all kinds of ideas for cool "air" powers in the next Gaia Girls book. Glenn Wolff's illustrations are amazing. I wan...moreI love this book! It is giving me all kinds of ideas for cool "air" powers in the next Gaia Girls book. Glenn Wolff's illustrations are amazing. I want posters of them! Thought I would share this as I am back to work on Gaia Girls Air Apparent.(less)
This was an incredible story! Rosita Arvigo's tale of becoming a Mayan Shaman's apprentice has me thinking about our relationships to plants (Good for...moreThis was an incredible story! Rosita Arvigo's tale of becoming a Mayan Shaman's apprentice has me thinking about our relationships to plants (Good for Gaia-writing!) Each chapter is headed by a paticular plant or herb, it's Mayan name, scientific name, and common name. and a wonderful description of the healing properties of the plant. The chapter then relays how they used this plant in a practical setting. What amazed me most was how this "elderly" man hiked up mountains, pre-dawn each day to collect plants used for healing. He would often carry 50# loads back! This is an easy read and over much to quickly!(less)
So far, I am LOVING this book! A lovely collection of essays and poetry...perfect for when I can only read for 15-20 minutes. I will be exploring Hele...moreSo far, I am LOVING this book! A lovely collection of essays and poetry...perfect for when I can only read for 15-20 minutes. I will be exploring Helen Hoover's writing after finding her in these pages!(less)
I'm a sucker for new stories that incorporate old myths! This is an extememly enjoyable read. Saaski is a changling. Half-human and half-fairy folk, s...moreI'm a sucker for new stories that incorporate old myths! This is an extememly enjoyable read. Saaski is a changling. Half-human and half-fairy folk, she is swapped at birth for a human baby. The other children are repulsed by her oddness and Saaski doesn't much care for them either. When she befrieds a goathearder, Tam, she finds an ally. The adventure gets rolling as Saaski slowly remembers her origins and goes back to Folk. I enjoyed the role music has in Saaski discovering her 'real self.' A must-read Newberry Honor book(less)
It was a bit of a letdown after Stargirl. I think I liked wondering what is going on in Stargirl's mind (the first book) vs. being privy to all her ty...moreIt was a bit of a letdown after Stargirl. I think I liked wondering what is going on in Stargirl's mind (the first book) vs. being privy to all her typical teenage insecurities (this book) The diary/letter format struck me as a bit of a cop out as well. Especially when it drifted into lenghty dialog and detail. Nobody journals that way. (less)
What an eye-opening look at life as a teen in the middle ages! I was surprised by how often I laughed. I was surprised by how honest it seemed to be....moreWhat an eye-opening look at life as a teen in the middle ages! I was surprised by how often I laughed. I was surprised by how honest it seemed to be. "I have 47 flea bites. I can only reach 21." This is a must read for every 14-year old who thinks she has it tough!(less)
I'm still charmed by the format. I was also tickled that a reference to a series of web cartoons were actually real and viewable, (Big Bunny) Call me...moreI'm still charmed by the format. I was also tickled that a reference to a series of web cartoons were actually real and viewable, (Big Bunny) Call me naive, but I just get uncomfortable with books that have at their center, girls coniving against girls. These girls don't seem to have much going on besides revenge and boys. There is a lot of talk about college, but no mention of life aspirations.(less)
My biggest compliment to "series" books? I want to read the next one! I enjoyed Nick Sagan's take on virtual reality and got surprisingly interested i...moreMy biggest compliment to "series" books? I want to read the next one! I enjoyed Nick Sagan's take on virtual reality and got surprisingly interested in the characters as individuals. Nicely done!(less)
I like a book that I think about for days after reading it! I really enjoyed how Mitchell drew Irish folklore into the modern day. I especially like t...moreI like a book that I think about for days after reading it! I really enjoyed how Mitchell drew Irish folklore into the modern day. I especially like the "brownie" and will be taking a closer look at things I think I see out of the corner of my eye! I'm looking forward to his first YA novel (due out in '09, I believe)(less)
I'm slowly adding books I feel have contributed to the writing of Gaia Girls. Watership Down has been with me since I was 12. It's traveled to FL, CA...moreI'm slowly adding books I feel have contributed to the writing of Gaia Girls. Watership Down has been with me since I was 12. It's traveled to FL, CA and back to NY. It has lived with me in 13 different apartments, my childhood home and now the home I share with my hubby. I love it that much.
Richard Adams does a remarkable job of telling an epic tale in which rabbits are the characters. What makes his telling remarkable, is that you never once doubt they are real rabbits. They don't drink tea or wear clothes. They are the same rabbits you see in your yard or garden. His landscapes are vivid and his characters have depth. The emotional highs and lows are placed in a way that keeps you completely engaged. No other book has made me "root for the good guys," as much as this one! Any writer would do well to study this book and any reader will be enriched for having read it.(less)
This is one of my "Big Four" books on writing. (More to come) While there are many wonderful books on writing, there were four that really propelled m...moreThis is one of my "Big Four" books on writing. (More to come) While there are many wonderful books on writing, there were four that really propelled me into this profession. I'm reviewing this one first, because regardless of your chosen form of creative outlet, The War of Art will get you off your bum and doing the work!
Thus far, it is the best book I've read to get you past procrastination, resistence and any other guise fear comes in. If you want to create, you must read this book. Bonus points: Many "chapters" are just a paragraph or two. No excuse for not reading it!(less)
This book may shake your foundations. You will walk away with your mind churning and your heart yearning. I'm impressed that Mr. Quinn could create su...moreThis book may shake your foundations. You will walk away with your mind churning and your heart yearning. I'm impressed that Mr. Quinn could create such a compelling novel that is, for the most part, dialog. This book changed my thinking about humankind, our history and our trajectory. These are my thoughts even though I read this book about 12 years ago! I really should re-read it. It is sitting in an honored spot on my bookshelf.(less)
Karin Muller does a remarkable job of helping us explore a culture so different from are own, while simultaneously telling a great story of interperso...moreKarin Muller does a remarkable job of helping us explore a culture so different from are own, while simultaneously telling a great story of interpersonal relationships. I liked that I continually wondered, and still do, if the tension between her and her host's wife was strickly due to cultural differences or if the personalities would have clashed regardless. The writing is tight and often laugh-ou-loud funny.(less)
If you love the earth and love children, this is a must read! David Sobel writes with clarity how children are being denied what used to be taken for...moreIf you love the earth and love children, this is a must read! David Sobel writes with clarity how children are being denied what used to be taken for granted as part of childhood--being comfortable with nature and identifying with it.
It is a very short book, more like a long essay. I loved it.(less)
For a few years, adult fans of my juvenile Gaia Girls books have told me I MUST read this book! "It's Gaia Girls for grown-ups!" They said.
They were r...moreFor a few years, adult fans of my juvenile Gaia Girls books have told me I MUST read this book! "It's Gaia Girls for grown-ups!" They said.
They were right! I deeply appreciated the way Ms. Kingsolver wrapped "gaia-truths" within an engaging fictional tale. Any book that makes me wonder what the characters are "doing now," days after I've finished reading is an automatic 5-star recommend from me!(less)
I enjoyed the book overall, but felt that the use of a natural event to move the plot to it's final resolution was a bit contrived. I would've found i...moreI enjoyed the book overall, but felt that the use of a natural event to move the plot to it's final resolution was a bit contrived. I would've found it more believable if weather and/or nature had been pepper into the story all along the way. Since it didn't, I immediately thought, "Ah! Deus ex Machina!" (Google it, if you haven't heard that before; it's a great term to know if you love books/story!)(less)
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