The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Jacqueline Kelly is a Newbery Honor recipient who is known for her work in the genres of children’s literature and young adult fiction. Kelly was born in New Zealand and raised in Canada, then later moved to El Paso, Texas, with her family; she attended medical school in Galveston. She spent several years practicing medicine before attending law school at the University of Texas. After working in her chosen field for a few years, she ultimately discovered a passion for writing fiction, and her first story was published in the Mississippi Review in 2001.

Her debut novel, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, was published in 2009 and was favorably received, earning a Newbery Honor in 2010. The novel is set in Texas during 1899, and it follows the journey of a young woman named Calpurnia Tate as she defies social norms and pursues her scientific curiosity. Through her narrative, Kelly contemplates themes such as the pursuit of knowledge, the navigation of gender norms, and the complexities of family dynamics during an era marked by social change and tension. Apart from her Calpurnia Tate series, Kelly has also written young adult novels like Return to the Willows.