Book Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom
The Children’s Book Review
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
What to Expect: Ancient Greek philosophy, big emotions, dog companionship, self-discovery, justice and fairness, and humor.
Eleven-year-old Callie (who would rather you call her Calliope Callisto Clark) doesn’t just speak her mind—she erupts with opinions that grow louder and larger until teachers, classmates, and especially her Grampy have had enough. Living with her grandparents after being orphaned as a toddler, Callie’s world centers on Archie, her rambunctious dog and most faithful companion. But after Archie causes Granny to break her wrist, Grampy issues an ultimatum: one more incident and Archie goes back to the Humane Society.
Determined to transform herself, Callie forms a philosophy club with her best friend, Peggy; her rival, Philip; and the beloved school librarian, Mr. Davenport. Through weekly discussions of Socrates, Plato, and Epictetus, Callie discovers these ancient thinkers won’t hand her easy answers—instead, they challenge her with questions about justice, fairness, and what it means to be good. When Grampy suffers a stroke, the philosophical questions she must ask herself become painfully personal.
Callie thinks with sharp insights while displaying the imperfect logic of a real eleven-year-old carrying genuine emotional weight, making her an authentic and relatable narrator. Ancient philosophy is seamlessly blended into the narrative, as author and retired philosophy professor Claudia Mills invites readers to discover that wisdom often begins with asking the right questions. Never feeling forced or pedantic, ideas are presented as naturally as Callie would discover them—complex enough to challenge readers but clear enough to help them understand her journey. Any emotional weight is instinctively balanced with humor and heart throughout, ensuring that even as the stakes rise, the story remains as funny as it is heartfelt (yes, Callie’s underwear does end up flapping from frenemy Philip’s bike).
Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom is a must-read for readers who wrestle with big questions or long to see themselves authentically reflected on the page, and of course, for those who adore dogs.
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About the Author
Claudia Mills is the author of over 60 books for young readers, including most recently the verse novel The Lost Language and the middle-grade novel The Last Apple Tree, as well as two chapter-book series: Franklin School Friends and After-School Superstars. Her books have been named Notable Books of the Year by the American Library Association and Best Books of the Year by the Bank Street College of Education; they have been translated into half a dozen languages. Claudia is also a professor emerita of philosophy at the University of Colorado and a faculty member in the graduate programs in children’s literature at Hollins University. She has written all her books in her faithful hour-a-day system while drinking Swiss Miss hot chocolate.
For more information, check out claudiamillsauthor.com.
