Fentress, Texas

Fentress is a small town in rural Texas where Callie and her family live.

San Marcos River

The San Marcos River runs through the Tate family's farm and is the scene of much of Callie and Walter's scientific exploration.

The Origin of the Species

The Origin of the Species is an influential book on evolution by Charles Darwin. It becomes a factor in the book when Callie's grandfather gives her his secret copy to read and is symbolic of her own evolution throughout the course of the novel.

The Plant

The plant is a piece of vetch (a twining plant) that Callie and her grandfather think might be a previously-undiscovered species.

Cotton Gin

The cotton gin is a machine for processing raw cotton and is one of the businesses owned by the Tate family.

Petey

Petey is a caterpillar found by Callie and kept as a...