Title: Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom | Author: Claudia Mills | Genre: Middle Grade | Publisher: Holiday House (2026) |  ISBN: 978-0-8234-6050-2

“A love letter to seekers, as heartfelt as it is wise”—Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

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.

My Thoughts: Callie, who has renamed herself Calliope (though no one will call her that other than her favorite librarian), is in a heap of trouble. If she or her treasured dog, Archie, make one more mistake, he’s going to be re-homed. And that’s the very last thing that Callie can bear. So, after an injustice in class that leads to a call home from school, Callie is determined to be on her very best behavior.

But trouble seems to follow her and her big opinions. Her friends don’t seem as friendly as she once believed. And the teacher’s pet, Philip the Perfect, always seems to get the better of Callie. If only she could win the best project on Greek History in Ms. Kippenberger’s class! If she did, it would be submitted to the contest by The Association for the Study of Ancient Greece and she could win that too. Then her grandparents would have to believe that Callie was capable of caring for Archie and wouldn’t send him away. It’s up to Callie to come up with the best project ever. So, she starts a Philosophy Club at school to tackle big questions. Can Ancient Greek philosophers help Callie make sense of her world?

This is the second book by Claudia Mills that I’ve read after thoroughly enjoying The Last Apple Tree. Her writing is so engaging and the voices of her characters are spot on middle grade. Case in point, my favorite chapter has to be 22: “The Humiliating Downfall of Philippides and the Glorious Triumph of Calliope: A Tragedy in Three Acts”. It’s a hilarious and very short section that discusses Callie’s plans for her school project in perfect tween tone and humor. Plus, the philosophy discussions are a wonderful introduction to thinking about big issues written deftly by a former professor of philosophy. This book works on so many levels. Definitely recommended!

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.

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Giveaway: Enter for 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!

Click here for the entry form: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/calliope-callisto-clark-and-the-search-for-wisdom-awareness-tour/. Good luck!

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

Extra! Extra!

Find everything you need to start a conversation about Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom in this helpful Discussion Guide.

Disclosure: A sincere thank you to the publisher for a review copy of the book read in partnership with The Children’s Book Review. This post is sponsored by Claudia Mills. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.