Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom Awareness Tour is presented in partnership* with Claudia Mills and The Children’s Book Review.
Get ready for big opinions, bigger questions, and one unforgettable dog-loving heroine in Claudia Mills’s Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom!
When outspoken Calliope Callisto Clark finds herself in trouble at school and at home, she turns to an unexpected place for answers: Greek philosophy. With her beloved dog Archie always by her side, Callie sets out in search of wisdom, justice, and fairness. Told in Callie’s endearing, energetic voice, Claudia Mills’s Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom is a humorous, heartfelt middle-grade novel for every student who’s ever been labeled “disruptive” and every reader who isn’t afraid to wrestle with life’s biggest questions.
. . A love letter to seekers, as heartfelt as it is wise.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Readers who join us on this virtual book tour have the chance to win one of 10 signed hardcover copies of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom. One grand prize winner will receive two additional signed books by Claudia Mills, plus an unforgettable one-hour Zoom visit with the author herself. Don’t miss your chance to bring Callie’s story — and a little literary wisdom — home. Enter below!
Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom
Virtual Tour Dates
| 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 |
Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom Book Giveaway
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
Buy the Book
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.
Thanks for following along with us on Claudia Mills’ Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom awareness tour!
65 Comments
There is a child in our family who is likely to enjoy this book, and I would be happy to read it along with her. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I hope your child likes it! I’m happy to answer any of her questions if you email them to me!
This sounds like a cute story!
I tried to balance the seriousness of Callie’s life situations (orphaned, raised by her elderly grandparents) with humor – I hope the balance worked!
I tried to balance the seriousness of Callie’s life situation with plenty of humor, I hope this worked!
Do you have any advice for new writers?
I have loads of advice! My own tried-and-true system is to commit to writing just a small amount every single day – not too daunting! And of course, to read widely in the field in which I’m trying to write. I learn a lot from reading “mentor texts” – outstanding books of the same type I’m trying to write.
Did you pull anything into your stories from your hometown?
Not specifically from my hometown – but definitely from my own childhood. I was as intellectually and emotionally intense as Callie!
nice cover
Thanks! It’s by artist Matt Rockefeller, and I just love it. It reflects the book perfectly!
What do you think was the most iconic book ever written?
do you use Apple products or not?
This would be perfect for my nephews and my niece.
I hope they like it!
How did we get here?
I would love to win this book for my grandson.
What are your plans for the week?
We would like to win this book.
Who is your favourite authors?
What annoys you as a writer?
Nothing better than a secular book. Hopefully, its appropriately secular and not subjective.
This sounds like a funny book.
We would be so excited to get this book.
Who were your first allies are you started writing?
My grandson would be so excited to get this book.
Have you ever won a giveaway yourself?
A question for a philosopher would be: How can a person make the most out of their life?
This is a fun and hilarious entertaining book.
What do you do when you’re feeling totally burned out?
Are you an early riser?
I would give this cute adventure book to my grandson.
This book takes you on an exciting adventure.
Any plans for your upcoming 10 year?
This sounds like the perfect suspenseful adventure mystery story.
Can you seperate the art from the artist?
Are you able to make a living writing?
What has been the best way to promote your book?
This sounds like a cool story.
This book sounds like an intriguing adventure story.
If you could go into any book, which would it be?
We would be so excited to get this interesting book.
Where is your ideal writer’s retreat?
Are any of your parents writers?
I would love to see what happens in this fun adventure book.
Did any authors inspire you as a child?
A good, exciting adventure book.
A very interesting book to read.
What are your writing rituals?
This book sounds like a great journey to go one
This book takes the reader on a fun adventure.
Do you think you’ll write a sequel?
This book would make a wonderful addition to our home library.
Do you have a go to writing snack?
How well did you do in English class?
What book has made you laugh the most?
My grandson would really enjoy this fascinating book.
An exciting book that takes you on an unforgettable adventure.
Do you have a go to writing drink for the warmer months?
We would be excited to get this book.
Who do you look up to as a writer?
A fun and interesting book this is.
Thank you for the chance to read this cute and fun book!
Did you start writing young?
Thank you for the opportunity to win this prize for my grandson.