ALWAYS in the MIDDLE is the fourth stop on the virtual book tour for this new middle grade novel (see below for the entire tour schedule and GIVEAWAY details). I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first saw the cover. A female character and a dog staring at a Greek Philosopher? What was going on here?
When I began reading the story, greatness and satisfaction arose from the pages. It was that good.
Callie Clark is a sixth grader being raised by her 80-year-old grandparents. At the young age of two her parents died in a car accident leaving her in the care of Granny and Grampy.
They eventually let Callie get a dog who supplies much love and friendship. Unfortunately, Archie hasn’t been trained to not jump up on others or limit his excessive barking. It hasn’t been easy. Grampy would like nothing more than to send the dog back to the shelter so the pup can be placed with another family.
A unit on ancient Greece in old Miss Kippenberger’s class gives Callie hope that she can learn more about her often disruptive behavior and how to keep Archie (Her Best Forever Friend) from being sent way. As she learns about the Greeks Philosophers, Callie decides her name should be more philosopher like. She chooses Calliope Callisto Clark.
Calliope is enthused about getting answers to her own big questions from these famous Greeks. After talking with the school librarian, a person she respects, they decide to create a club to do just that. Only her best friend Peggy and her never-ever friend Phillip join in for the weekly meeting.
Instead of answers, she finds that Socrates, Plato, and Epictetus bring more questions, but ones that will hopefully make her a better person and Archie a better behaved dog. Calliope’s first person narration is so engaging and spot on for an 11-year-old. She wants respect both at home and at school. The 45 chapters fly by with heartfelt humor, tension, and life threatening changes for her grandparents.
CALLIOPE CLARK AND THE SEARCH FOR WISDOM is at the top of my list in 2026 for favorite MG contemporary story.
BOOK BIRTHDAY: MARCH 10, 2026 PAGES: 272
FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: CALLIOPE CALLISTO CLARK AND THE SEARCH FOR WISDOM by Claudia Mills
- Peggy is the friend every kid deserves. She’s very different from Callie, but the two of them together bring about a bond they both need in their life.
- The discussions about the Greek Philosophers are easily understandable for the intended audience. They can enjoy the sometimes erroneous thoughts and emotions Callie has about others and how she brings herself to realize not everything you believe in is true.
- Phillip, her always perfect classmate, is another character you will like. His true story eventually surfaces and it is masterful how his character evolves by book’s end.
- It’s hard to change when teaching one way your entire career. Miss Kippenberger is certainly set in her ways, but the emotional events in the story bring about a small welcome change.
- Those who have owned a dog will understand the behavior of Archie. It’s not really a dog story but he does become a hero.
About the Author
Claudia Mills is the author of almost 60 books for young readers. To write her books she draws on childhood memories of growing up in New Jersey as well as funny stories her two sons brought home from elementary school and middle school as they grew up in Colorado. She loves to visit schools, where she is always on the prowl for material that can make its way into a chapter book or middle grade novel.
Claudia had a second career as a professor of philosophy at the University of Colorado at Boulder, specializing in ethics and political philosophy, which she left a few years ago to devote herself full time to writing. In addition to her books for children, she has published many articles on philosophical and ethical themes in children’s literature, including essays on the work of Maud Hart Lovelace, Eleanor Estes, Betty MacDonald, Louisa May Alcott, and Rosamond du Jardin, and published an edited collection, Ethics and Children’s Literature, as well.
All of Claudia’s books have been written between 5 and 7 in the morning, while drinking Swiss Miss hot chocolate at her cozy home near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. She likes to write for an hour every day, watching little bits of daily writing grow into big piles of published books to share with children everywhere. (For about Claudia and her writings visit her author website)
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 this link for the entry form!
TOUR SCHEDULE
| Wednesday, February 18, 2026The Children’s Book ReviewBook Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Thursday, February 19, 2026Crafty Moms ShareBook Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Friday, February 20, 2026Life is What It’s CalledAuthor Interview with Claudia Mills |
| Monday, February 23, 2026ALWAYS in the MIDDLEBook Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Tuesday, February 24, 2026icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Wednesday, February 25, 2026The Children’s Book ReviewBook List Featuring Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Thursday, February 26, 2026@nissa_the.bookwormInstagram Post about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Friday, February 27, 2026Confessions of a Book AddictBook Spotlight on Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Monday, March 2, 2026Little Free Library Mystery NetworkInstagram Post about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Tuesday, March 3, 2026Writer with WanderlustBook Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Wednesday, March 4, 2026Q&As with Deborah KalbAuthor Interview with Claudia Mills |
| Thursday, March 5, 2026@meghenslittlelibraryInstagram Post about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Friday, March 6, 2026The Starlit PathInstagram Reel about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Monday, March 9, 2026Froggy Read TeachInstagram Post about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Tuesday, March 10, 2026The Growing Readers PodcastAuthor Interview with Claudia Mills |
| Wednesday, March 11, 2026Lisa’s ReadingGuest Post about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Thursday, March 12, 2026The Fairview ReviewBook Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Friday, March 13, 2026One More ExclamationBook Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Monday, March 16, 2026A Blue Box Full of BooksBook Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Tuesday, March 17, 2026Country Mamas With KidsGuest Post about Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
| Wednesday, March 18, 2026Glass of Wine, Glass of MilkBook Review of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom |
The Children’s Book Review Team
growingreaders@thechildrensbookreview.com
The Children’s Book Review Website
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BE SURE TO VISIT ALL THE OTHER BLOGGERS ON TODAY’S MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY!
Always in the Middle... 
I have loved every Claudia Mills MG book I’ve read. She makes me laugh and sometimes I get a good cry which I discover I needed. This book sounds relatable and with one more great MG voice that generous Claudia shares always. We MG writers can learn much from her exemplary craft. Thank you for sharing, Greg and all Clsudia Mills’ team of supporters!
This must be a great story if it’s on your top list of contemporary stories for 2026. It sounds really good. Thanks for sharing it for MMGM.
Great review! So glad you loved this one as much as I do, Greg!
The cover right off made me want to read it. It sounds like it might be a kind of comforting book.
Greg, thank you so much for hosting me today and for the generous review. I’m especially grateful for the little shout-out for Peggy; she is the best friend I would like to have myself! And I’m relieved you found the philosophy discussions understandable. After teaching at the university level for so many years, I was a bit unsure about whether I could succeed in making these challenging texts accessible to young readers. Though I always used to say that college students were just big fifth graders, and that graduate students were just REALLY big fifth graders! Anyway, thanks for including me in your “middle” space!
I’m totally intrigued by the Greek philosophers! That’s always been an interest of mine, but it’s not normally something you see in middle grade. But what a great way to get kids interested in that topic. I’m also excited that there’s a dog, of course. Max has gone through a lot of training to get him to be nicer to other dogs, so far, it hasn’t worked, so I can empathize with Callie’s plight.