Virtual Book Tour Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

 

Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom: Book Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Written by Claudia Mills

Ages: 9+ | 272 Pages

Publisher: Holiday House (2026) | ISBN-13: 978-0-8234-6050-2

Publisher’s Book Summary: “Difficult” student Callie joins a philosophy club seeking the wisdom she needs to keep her beloved but equally difficult dog in this hilarious, heartfelt middle-grade novel for underdogs and dog-lovers alike!

Once Callie (Calliope Callisto Clark) starts saying something, it’s hard for her to stop. The opinion gets bigger and bigger, her voice gets louder and louder—and she gets in more and more trouble. She’s in trouble with her teacher, who likes order and not Callie. She’s in bigger trouble with her Grampy, who blames Callie and her dog (a.k.a. Best Ever Friend) Archie for his ever-rising blood pressure. Then there’s the biggest trouble of all… just one more strike, and Callie could lose her beloved Archie forever.

When she turns to Greek philosophy for answers on how to solve her problems, she only gets more questions: What is justice? What is fairness? And as her problems get bigger, so do her questions: Is it Callie’s fault when Grampy has a stroke?

Told in Callie’s endearing, energetic voice, Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom is sure to speak to any student who’s ever been called “disruptive.” Acclaimed children’s book author and retired philosophy professor Claudia Mills delivers a heartfelt middle-grade novel for misunderstood readers who feel like they’re living their own Greek tragedies.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

ORDER LINKS

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org

MY REVIEW

Callie (or Calliope Callisto Clark, as she prefers to be called), is a girl that is full of energy and personality. She has decided opinions about most things, such as the belief that the new kid in school is trying to be a teacher’s pet, or that her best friend is the most awesome person ever. And some of those same characteristics are what make Calliope so unpopular with her teacher, Miss Kippenberger. 

Readers will sympathize with Calliope’s predicament when her grandfather warns her that he will return her dog to the animal shelter to be rehomed if she causes any more trouble. Calliope reacts in a way typical among children. She decides that if she can only be perfect and try extra hard to do everything right, then Grampy will be happy with her and won’t take Archie away. It takes the rest of the book for her to realize that no one is perfect and she just needs to do her best.

It may come as a surprise to readers that Calliope decides to investigate ancient Greek philosophy in order to find some life wisdom that will help her on her self-appointed journey to perfection. I really enjoyed the character of Mr. Davenport, the school librarian. The way he made the library a welcoming place for the students and how willing he was to start a philosophy club because a few kids showed an interest went right to my heart. I believe middle grade readers will love this look at dealing with school, grouchy adults, and figuring out your philosophy of life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Claudia Mills has written over sixty books for children, including The Lost Language, an NCTE Notable Verse Novel, a Charlotte Huck Recommended Book, A Mighty Girl Best Book of the Year, and A Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book. Her most recent book, The Last Apple Tree, received a starred review in Kirkus Reviews. She is a recipient of the Kerlan Award for her contribution to children’s literature. She was a professor of philosophy for more than two decades at the University of Colorado. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Visit her at claudiamillsauthor.com.

https://www.facebook.com/claudiamillsauthor/

https://bsky.app/profile/claudiamills123.bsky.social

https://www.instagram.com/claudiamillswriter/ 

TOUR SCHEDULE

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 The Children’s Book Review Book Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Thursday, February 19, 2026 Crafty Moms Share Book Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Friday, February 20, 2026 Life is What It’s Called Author Interview with Claudia Mills

Monday, February 23, 2026 ALWAYS in the MIDDLE Book Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 The Children’s Book Review Book List Featuring Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Thursday, February 26, 2026 @nissa_the.bookworm Instagram Post about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Friday, February 27, 2026 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Spotlight on Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Monday, March 2, 2026 Little Free Library Mystery Network Instagram Post about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 Writer with Wanderlust Book Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Q&As with Deborah Kalb Author Interview with Claudia Mills

Thursday, March 5, 2026 @meghenslittlelibrary Instagram Post about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Friday, March 6, 2026 The Starlit Path Instagram Reel about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Monday, March 9, 2026 Froggy Read Teach Instagram Post about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 The Growing Readers Podcast Author Interview with Claudia Mills

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Lisa’s Reading Guest Post about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Thursday, March 12, 2026 The Fairview Review Book Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Friday, March 13, 2026 One More Exclamation Book Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Monday, March 16, 2026 A Blue Box Full of Books Book Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Country Mamas With Kids Guest Post about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk Book Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

This post is sponsored by Claudia Mills. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

Virtual Book Tour In My Mind

In My Mind: Book Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

In My Mind

Written by Carmen Hernández

Illustrated by HV Helmut

Ages: 3-8 | 38 Pages

Publisher: Mascot Kids! (2026) | ISBN: 979-8891382909

Publisher’s Book Summary: Starting school is both terrifying and exciting for Camilo. He wonders what his new teacher and classmates will think of him. But, as the day unfolds, Camilo has a hard time fitting in. The classroom feels overwhelming, and he battles nerves that make it hard to focus or speak up. He gets distracted, daydreaming about far-away places, and sometimes he forgets that he is in school altogether. But as the day goes on, Camilo discovers unexpected joys.

This heartwarming story captures the challenges of a child with ADHD who has to navigate a busy first day at school.

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop

MY REVIEW

Many of us know a story from the first day of school about a child getting lost on the way back to class from the lunchroom, getting their shoelaces knotted up trying to tie them without help, forgetting the teacher’s name, etc. In Camilo’s case, he imagines that everyone in class will be his friend, but then it doesn’t feel that way. 

As the day progresses Camilo faces one difficulty after another. He feels overwhelmed when everyone turns to watch him enter the room. The illustrations show that the children in class were waving and smiling, but he was looking down at his shoes and didn’t register their welcoming gestures. He gets distracted and doesn’t come to circle time. During a phonics lesson he gets bored and curls up on the rug; the teacher has to remind him the “carpet is not your bed” and send him back to his seat. It seems that when it is not his turn during a lesson he has a hard time paying attention. 

I have seen many students who have similar difficulties. Like Camilo they are ambivalent about cafeteria food because it does not taste like their mother’s cooking. They are great at playing recess games and at leading an activity (just as the images show Camilo smiling as he leads the class in identifying numbers), but are easily distracted when they have to sit quietly or wait for a turn. And many of them have an interior dialogue like Camilo’s: “I think differently from my classmates, and I am scared some of them are starting to look at me like I’m different.” 

Books like this help families and classmates understand what children are going through when they find it difficult to sit still and give their undivided attention in school. Stories of this sort can open up discussions about how all of us process things differently and what we can do to help each other be successful. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carmen Y. Hernández was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and moved to the United States at the age of five. Carmen is the first in her family of five to earn a master’s degree in general education. With fifteen years of experience as an educator, she has witnessed a growing number of students with undiagnosed cases of dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and intermittent explosive disorder (IED).

Through this book, Carmen hopes to raise awareness among a new generation of parents about the increasing prevalence of these disorders and the importance of understanding and supporting children with these challenges.

https://www.instagram.com/carmen.y.hernandez/

https://www.facebook.com/carmen.y.hernandez/

https://www.tiktok.com/@carmenyhernandez

https://www.instagram.com/MascotBooks/?hl=en 

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, February 2, 2026 The Children’s Book Review Book Review of In My Mind

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 The Starlit Path Book Review of In My Mind

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 @nissa_the.bookworm Instagram Post about In My Mind

Thursday, February 5, 2026 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers Book Review of In My Mind

Friday, February 6, 2026 @avainbookland Instagram Post about In My Mind

Monday, February 9, 2026 The Fairview Review Book Review of In My Mind

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of In My Mind

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Crafty Moms Share Book Review of In My Mind

Thursday, February 12, 2026 Un Viaje en Libro Book Activity for In My Mind

Friday, February 13, 2026 The Little Free Library Mystery Network Instagram Post about In My Mind

Monday, February 16, 2026 Froggy Read Teach Instagram Post about In My Mind

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 @bored_military_wife Instagram Post about In My Mind

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Lisa’s Reading Book Review of In My Mind

Thursday, February 19, 2026 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Spotlight on In My Mind

Friday, February 20, 2026 Country Mamas With Kids Book Review of In My Mind

Monday, February 23, 2026 A Blue Box Full of Books Instagram Post about In My Mind

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 @meghenslittlelibrary Instagram Post about In My Mind

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 @tinks_books_and_fosters Instagram Post about In My Mind

This post is sponsored by Carmen Hernández. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.