Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Calliope is an amusing narrator who displays both the remarkable insight and flawed logic realistic to an 11-year-old. The novel is exquisitely sensitive to the injustices of childhood, and equally celebratory of the comforts of friendship. The slice-of-life plot has momentum without feeling rushed, and the philosophy discussions are written to be understandable for a middle grade audience without being excessively simplified. . . . A love letter to seekers, as heartfelt as it is wise.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Mills (The Last Apple Tree), a Philosophy professor, adeptly makes Socrates and Epictetus understandable and relatable, and readers will find the various scrapes that Callie finds herself in with Archie and at school hilarious and heartwarming. . . .A recommended purchase, great for fans of Janae Marks or Dusti Bowling.
—School Library Journal

Topics like death, bullying, and empathy are woven into the narrative without being overt; seeing how 11-year-old Callie responds to different stressors will mirror readers’ own big emotions in their small bodies. A wonderful coming-of-age story serving as an introduction to complex theories, hopefully sparking curiosity about philosophy for young readers.
—Booklist

Callie is a chatty, personable narrator who is trying her best in situations that are both hilarious and heartbreakingly cringeworthy. . . . There’s nuanced growth and understanding in every relationship Callie has, from her connection with her grumpy but forgiving grandpa to a BFF who’s supportive even in the roughest times.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Funny, touching, and full of prompts for further thought, this realistic story of emotional development also makes an intriguing point of entry to ancient Greece and philosophy.
—The Horn Book