From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
December Read - Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
By Kristen · 11 posts · 81 views
By Kristen · 11 posts · 81 views
last updated Jan 10, 2010 11:24AM
October Read - When You Reach Me
By Kristen · 17 posts · 222 views
By Kristen · 17 posts · 222 views
last updated Jan 09, 2010 08:14AM
What Members Thought
Bewildered by accolades. I really expected to like this a lot (I can generally lay aside isolated incidences of racial insensitivity when I'm deciding how good a book is otherwise, or how much I like it), because I've liked many of Peck's other books, including the previous one in the series, A Year Down Yonder--I read that when it came out and commented that it was the best new kid's book I'd read in years. The writing is good here, of course, because it's Richard Peck; it's technically good. B
...more
Richard Peck is such a trouble-maker, riling folks up with his potentially offensive plot-line about the desecrated remains (or are they?) of a Kickapoo princess, shotgun weddings, multiple counts of theft (Christmas trees, cars, you name it), twelve year olds driving recklessly under the encouragement of elderly women...
Okay, the only thing that actually has people up in arms is the Kickapoo princess. Personally, I thought Peck made it very clear that Grandma Dowdel fabricated the whole thing - ...more
Okay, the only thing that actually has people up in arms is the Kickapoo princess. Personally, I thought Peck made it very clear that Grandma Dowdel fabricated the whole thing - ...more
Grandma Dowdel, the shotgun toting woman of A YEAR DOWN YONDER and A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO, stars again in a delightful story. The year is 1958, so her grandchildren are grown, but a new family of 5 next door needs her help. There are laugh out loud episodes and clever solutions to problems, too. This is sure to be a hit and can stand alone just fine.
Very good and mostly satisfying follow-up to the other two beloved books about the mostly beloved Grandma Dowdel. Just hatedhatedhated the afterword....gah.
Not quite as great as the other two that it is a companion of, but I still really liked it. Richard Peck is definitely a favorite writer.
Peck is a consistently good author although it too me a while before I warmed up to this book. It just about defines what a slice-of-life book should be. It's also a good fit for an inspirational title if any of your readers need or would like something of that ilk. Fine for 4th, 5th-graders and up but it could definitely be given to an adult who wants a quick read in the inspirational genre.
...more
I'm predisposed to like this after reading its preceding companion novels and becoming very fond of Grandma Dowdel. I don't think this one was as strong as A Long Way From Chicago or A Year Down Yonder, but it is still rather delightful, though a little on the sticky-sweet side. Recommended for those who have read and enjoyed the companion novels. 3.5 stars.
...more
A warm account of small town life in 1958, written through the eyes of a sixth grade boy. Interesting potential discussions comparing and contrasting community values then and now, “othering”, bullying, cliques, snap judgments and more.
Dec 20, 2009
carissa
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
juvenile-fiction,
juvenile-fiction-historical
Recommended Ages: grades 5-8
Companion to "A Year Down Yonder" and "A Long Way From Chicago" ...more
Companion to "A Year Down Yonder" and "A Long Way From Chicago" ...more
Jul 03, 2009
Megan
marked it as to-read
Aug 27, 2009
Rachel
marked it as to-read
Sep 01, 2009
Holly
marked it as new-2009
RL 690
Dec 02, 2009
Kathryn
marked it as to-read
Mar 28, 2010
Elisabeth
marked it as to-read
Aug 24, 2011
Jessica
marked it as to-read
Mar 20, 2012
Jennifer
marked it as to-read
