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“The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.”
Book set on San Marcos River wins Newbery award
Answers To Go
Each week hundreds of people call or visit the San Marcos Public Library to find information. "Answers•To•Go" highlights recently received questions. Please visit the library at 625 East Hopkins, call 393-8200 for information over the phone, or e-mail us through our web-page at www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us/library.htm.
Q. I heard that a children’s book set on the San Marcos River just won a national award. Could that be right? Do you have the book?
A. Yes and yes! Jacqueline Kelly’s first novel, “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” is one of this year’s Newbery Honor books. The Newbery is the most prestigious annual award for American children’s novels.
Kelly’s novel is set on the San Marcos River in Fentress. The book received starred reviews from three of the major book review sources used by libraries. The “Booklist” review offers this synopsis: “Growing up with six brothers in rural Texas in 1899, 12-year-old Callie realizes that her aversion to needlework and cooking disappoints her mother.
“Callie prefers to spend her time exploring the river, observing animals, and keeping notes on what she sees. Her growing interest in nature creates a bond with her previously distant grandfather, an amateur naturalist of some distinction. After they discover an unknown species of plant life, he attempts to have it officially recognized.
“Callie's gradual self-discovery is revealed in her vivid first-person narrative. As the novel unfolds, she is aware of both her growing desire to become a scientist and of societal expectations that make her dream seem nearly impossible.
“Interwoven with the scientific theme are threads of daily life in a large family-the bonds with siblings, the conversations overheard, the unspoken understandings and misunderstandings-all told with wry humor and a sharp eye for details that bring the characters and the setting to life.
“Many readers will hope for a sequel to this engaging, satisfying first novel.”
Q. I work at Wal-Mart. I was told I could get my W-2 online this year. Can I do that at the library?
A. Sure. You’ll need your Social Security number and the total gross earnings from your most recent pay check.
Wal-Mart has arranged for your W-2 to be online at www.w2express.com. You’ll enter the employer code for Wal-Mart which is 10108.
Then type in your Social Security number and your PIN number. Your PIN number will be the total gross earnings from your most recent pay check without the decimal. For example, $345.32 would be entered as 34532.
We’d be happy to help those who work with other local companies that have arranged for online W-2 delivery. Just bring in the details supplied by the employer and we’ll figure it out together.
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