A Year Down Yonder was written by Richard Peck. It is the follow-up to the Newbery Honor book, A Long Way from Chicago. It won the Newbery Medal in 2001. It is suited for students in grades 3rd-7th. This book relates to topics such as the Great Depression, grandparents, bullies, and family relationships.
In 1937, fifteen year-old Mary Alice Dowdel is sent to rural Illinois to live with her grandmother as her family tries to get back on their feet after the 1937 recession. Mary Alice's grandmother is not your typical grandmother. She is rough, tough, and mischievous. Deep down, she has a soft heart. Mary Alice is taken on many adventures as they reverse pranks on Halloween pranksters, one of which turned out to be the principal's son. Grandmother Dowdel with Mary Alice's help steals ingredients to take to the community Halloween party. Being a city girl and the granddaughter to Grandmother Dowdel makes it hard for Mary Alice to fit in. However, she ends up landing the role of Mary in the Christmas play and studying with the star basketball player. Mary Alice learns that her grandmother has a soft soft and is there when she needs her.
This book was excellent. Grandmother Dowdel and her ideas are hilarious. I enjoyed reading the historical information about the recession that was included. This would be a great read for any child or adult!
This book reminded me of my grandparents. Like Mary Alice, I had grandparents that lived far away (New Jersey) that I saw only for a 1-2 weeks a year. Sometimes they could be embarrassing like Grandmother Dowdel. For instance, my grandma loved waiting for the school bus with us. She would even make us line up in front of the bus and take our picture. It's cute when you're 5- not 15. Despite all of their embarrassing antics, I know that they love me and are there for me at all times.
In 1937, fifteen year-old Mary Alice Dowdel is sent to rural Illinois to live with her grandmother as her family tries to get back on their feet after the 1937 recession. Mary Alice's grandmother is not your typical grandmother. She is rough, tough, and mischievous. Deep down, she has a soft heart. Mary Alice is taken on many adventures as they reverse pranks on Halloween pranksters, one of which turned out to be the principal's son. Grandmother Dowdel with Mary Alice's help steals ingredients to take to the community Halloween party. Being a city girl and the granddaughter to Grandmother Dowdel makes it hard for Mary Alice to fit in. However, she ends up landing the role of Mary in the Christmas play and studying with the star basketball player. Mary Alice learns that her grandmother has a soft soft and is there when she needs her.
This book was excellent. Grandmother Dowdel and her ideas are hilarious. I enjoyed reading the historical information about the recession that was included. This would be a great read for any child or adult!
This book reminded me of my grandparents. Like Mary Alice, I had grandparents that lived far away (New Jersey) that I saw only for a 1-2 weeks a year. Sometimes they could be embarrassing like Grandmother Dowdel. For instance, my grandma loved waiting for the school bus with us. She would even make us line up in front of the bus and take our picture. It's cute when you're 5- not 15. Despite all of their embarrassing antics, I know that they love me and are there for me at all times.
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