tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12461652.post2716377327629671774..comments2024-01-10T17:38:08.333-05:00Comments on Elizabeth Burns: The Evolution of Calpurnia TateLiz Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16671844475303001610noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12461652.post-61200278990035810222010-01-03T08:58:11.014-05:002010-01-03T08:58:11.014-05:00Jenn & rockinlibrarian, I wondered if saying n...Jenn & rockinlibrarian, I wondered if saying no Big Meaningful Death was a spoiler, but then realized that it's pretty sad if we expect good book to have a BMD to make it, well, serious. Would saying there are no zombies be a spoiler? Nope. It added an unnecessary level of fear to my reading that wasn't necessary. And I'm glad to hear that others feared the BMD.<br /><br />Vasily, my candidates for death were Grandpa, Mother (forcing Calpurnia into doing what she hated for the good of the family), and youngest brother Jim Bowie (so Call would be punished for not playing with him). So glad none of it happened!<br /><br />RC, Knowing your audience is important & I love how instead of just rejecting the book you're thinking of how to make it work. I agree that while Darwin is a red-letter word for some, Kelly uses him in a way that isn't extreme (ie 'there is no God', etc etc). I think CHARLES & EMMA may be too old for the group, but it's a quick read and it may be helpful to you to share with the group (and parents!) that Darwin's wife was religious & how they debated & still respected each other.Liz Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16671844475303001610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12461652.post-69477761770225759732009-12-31T14:51:42.632-05:002009-12-31T14:51:42.632-05:00Hah hah, if not a Big Meaningful Death, I kept exp...Hah hah, if not a Big Meaningful Death, I kept expecting SOME Big Bad thing to happen, and nothing did! It's amazing how riveting a book in which Nothing Much Happens can be. Come to think of it, maybe it's a better book for NOT having Huge Somethings happening in it, because if we were all expecting it, it's probably cliched! <br /><br />(My word verification is actually the last name of a friend of mine from college. Not likely that happens very often).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12461652.post-89018001358827229592009-12-31T12:11:24.668-05:002009-12-31T12:11:24.668-05:00I read it during the Christmas break (I teach fift...I read it during the Christmas break (I teach fifth grade and I am holding a girl's book club in Janurary). I thought the book started a bit slowly, but then it picked up quite nicely. I was worried in the beginning about the references to Darwin's theory of evolution, since I teach in a VERY conservative area. I know, I know. Before anyone claims ignorance on my part, don't. I just did not want the parents of my girls to disallow them to read/join in the book club discussion due to a lack of knowledge. In any case, I was so very pleased with the way in which Darwin was woven into the book and think it opened a door for discussion that might not be in certain households. I am skyping with the author during my book club, and plan on asking her about it. In addition to her being a lawyer, she is also a doctor...no dumb bunny. I enjoyed your review of the book! Thanks!Reading Countesshttp://blogs.katyisd.org/talfonsin/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12461652.post-28772852381547408982009-12-31T11:58:50.675-05:002009-12-31T11:58:50.675-05:00This is definitely one of my favorite reads of thi...This is definitely one of my favorite reads of this year. I really thought that Grandpa was going to die and thankful he didn't. I just checked this out from the library so I can re-read it.Vasillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08463689838763126048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12461652.post-640096672989878722009-12-31T11:26:24.739-05:002009-12-31T11:26:24.739-05:00i was quite worried that there was going to be a b...i was quite worried that there was going to be a big meaningful death as well, and dreaded it the entire book. rarely have i been so happily proved wrong. <br />great review, incidentally. this was one of my favorites of the year as well.Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06586965415823926291noreply@blogger.com