A Year Down Yonder

A Year Down Yonder

By: Richard Peck

Published by: Puffin Books 2000

Reading level: Young Adult

130 pages

Summary: The depression hit Chicago hard, and Mary Alice's father had lost his job. They were forced to move into a little apartment that no room for Mary Alice and her brother Joey. Joey headed out west to work and they shipped Mary Alice down to her Grandma Dowdels for a whole year. Grandma Dowdel is not your ordinary squeeze your cheeks, knit you a blanket kind of Grandma. She is a large lady who, hunts, fishes, plays pranks, and tries to stay out of everyone's business as long as they stay out of hers. Mary has to go to school in her grandma's town and from day one causes a stir. When the bully of the town follows her home grandma is there for her and makes sure the bully will never bother her again. When Mary Alice is in the christmas play grandma makes sure she is the prettiest one up there. As hard hearted as grandma seems, you come to realize she has a soft spot for her grand daughter and will do anything for her.

Personal Review: Hilarious, heartwarming, entertaining, and charming are just a few words i would use to describe this book. I love it! It is one of those books that you cannot stop laughing and cannot put down. Richard Peck is brilliant in describing the people of Grandma Dowdels town. If you want an easy, entertaining, funny read this book is the one to choose!