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A Year Down Yonder Review
User Submitted A Year Down Yonder ReviewsDecember 13, 2008 Down Home Much like John Steinbeck, Richard Peck has a keen eye focused toward the picture he paints of life in early 20th Century America. Much like "A Long Way from Chicago", "A Year Down Yonder" finds Mary Alice spending a year of the Great Depression with the ever spry Grandma Dowdel. Though Mary Alice is older, Grandma still seems young. While the chapters can be enjoyed as short stories themselves, the year of adventures may be best enjoyed as a whole. As the cycle of the school year goes, the events of Mary Alice and Grandma flow with the dates of the calendar. The pranks of of Halloween are stymied by the mischievous grandma. The nativity of Christmas receives an unusual twist. With grandma's baking and even match-making, the pace of the book makes a quick read. But in the eyes of a girl, no event may be as important as the day the new boy shows up at school. It also gives this series a good sense of closure. Richard Peck may be the best American children's writer today. Even if his work is written for children or young adults, there is no reason adults cannot enjoy it. September 25, 2008 Wonderful I read this for a young adult lit class and absolutely fell in love with the blatant charm of the old-school small-town charm and the subtle heart that pervades even the brashness of the characters. This is for fans of all of Peck's coloquial writing, though I'm sure it might annoy a few who would rather have their stories dark and serious. Still, I can't help but be fond of it, and it's hard to see a guy write a girl's mind as well as Mr. Peck can. September 14, 2008 Funny, Funny, Funny! My son and I read this book while he was in 7th grade. It was one of the funniest books that we had read in a long time. HIGHLY recommended, even for boys that hate to read! June 13, 2008 A Year Down Yonder While this is a sequel to A Long Way from Chicago, it can easily be read and enjoyed on its own. Richard Peck writes the adventures of Mary Alice, spending a year away from her home in depression-era Chicago at her grandmother's house in the country. While grandma Dowdel is gruff and no-nonsense, she soon enlists Mary Alice in her schemes to influence neighbors - some who are friends, some who are enemies. This hilarious book is great to read aloud, and it will leave both adults and kids in stitches. February 28, 2008 Very Nice This is one of the best books I have ever read, and cried at the end. February 12, 2008 Wonderful book My daughter had to read A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck for her 8th grade English class. We both read the book and both enjoyed it. We loved the characters, especially the grandmother. This is a wonderful book for young readers! January 13, 2008 Fabulous read aloud I read this aloud to my students each year and they LOVE it. Not only does it lead to discussions of the Great Depression and new vocabulary, it allows my students to see that a character, like Grandma Dowdel, is seldom one dimensional and can surprise the reader with her deep affection as well as her steely determination. Thank you, Mr. Peck, for this wonderful book and A Long Way from Chicago. December 1, 2007 A Well-Written Book by Richard Peck I just read the book A Year Down Yonder, by Richard Peck. The book is about 15 year old Chicago girl, Mary Alice, living in the Roosevelt recession. Mary has to move in with her outspoken, trigger-happy, grandmother because her parents can't afford to rent a big enough home. Mary's first impression of her grandmother is much like everyone else's. She thinks she is quite odd. But once she gets to know her she finds out her grandmother is really a strong, brave, secure, caring, woman. Mary and her grandmother have many adventures. They do everything from trapping foxes to baking pies. This sequel to the Newbery Honor-winning book A Long Way From Chicago is very well written and I enjoyed reading it very much. By Val Charter (age 11) October 11, 2007 A Year Down Yonder This sequel to Peck's _A Long Way from Chicago_ focuses on a year spent "in the sticks" by Mary Alice Dowdel, grandchild of Mrs. Dowdel- the most intimidating woman in town. This book is by turns funny and heart-warming. This unabridged spoken word title is a great title for families to share. August 31, 2007 wonderful story, great performance We loved this story and the reader, Lois Smith, did a fabulous job. Her voice was perfect for the part and the story itself was just charming. Richard Peck is an exceptional author, creating a very believable (fictional) memoir of a girl growing up in Illinois during the depression, told in the first person. The character of Grandma Dowdel is someone you just grow to love, even though at first she seems most unlovable. A wonderful book to listen to as a family. For more A Year Down Yonder reviews click here.
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