A Long Way from Chicago, by Richard Peck
I've been debating. "Which book should I recommend first?"
I'll begin with the book that started it all, Richard Peck's A Long Way from Chicago (Dial, 1998). This is the first book I felt compelled to share with *everyone.* Yes, it won the Newbery Honor. Yes, Richard Peck is an incredible writer. But it was the sheer force of the character of Grandma Dowdel that had me handing a copy to my not-so-warm-and-fuzzy, "I read Louis L'Amour, Tom Clancy, and W.E.B. Griffin" father.
And he loved it. He even read the sequel, "A Year Down Yonder," and it's about the sister, Mary Alice.
A Long Way from Chicago is a novel in short stories that chronicle the adventures of a pair of siblings (Joey and Mary Alice) as they visit their grandmother during the summers from 1929-1942. Peck's beautiful use of language brings to life the small town and its many unique characters, most notably Grandma Dowdel, whose ingenious schemes bring her unorthodox version of justice to children and adults alike. This is a great pick for reluctant readers, not only because of the humor, but because the short stories are perfect for shorter attention spans.
You'll laugh, cry, and wish you could meet Grandma Dowdel -- but you'll be glad she isn't *your* grandma!
I'll begin with the book that started it all, Richard Peck's A Long Way from Chicago (Dial, 1998). This is the first book I felt compelled to share with *everyone.* Yes, it won the Newbery Honor. Yes, Richard Peck is an incredible writer. But it was the sheer force of the character of Grandma Dowdel that had me handing a copy to my not-so-warm-and-fuzzy, "I read Louis L'Amour, Tom Clancy, and W.E.B. Griffin" father.
And he loved it. He even read the sequel, "A Year Down Yonder," and it's about the sister, Mary Alice.
A Long Way from Chicago is a novel in short stories that chronicle the adventures of a pair of siblings (Joey and Mary Alice) as they visit their grandmother during the summers from 1929-1942. Peck's beautiful use of language brings to life the small town and its many unique characters, most notably Grandma Dowdel, whose ingenious schemes bring her unorthodox version of justice to children and adults alike. This is a great pick for reluctant readers, not only because of the humor, but because the short stories are perfect for shorter attention spans.
You'll laugh, cry, and wish you could meet Grandma Dowdel -- but you'll be glad she isn't *your* grandma!
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