Newbery Challenge 2007
A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck 
2001 Newbery Medal Winner
Main Characters: Mary Alice and Grandma Dowdel
Setting: Chicago to rural Illinois
Time Period: Post-depression, 1930’s
Plot: Mary Alice is sent to live with her ancient grandmother in a hick town south of Chicago. Mary Alice learns it isn’t the age or the place that confines her from learning.
The story is rich with humor and inter-generational play between a grandmother and her granddaughter. I don’t know about most people, but I consider my grandmother’s generation a hoot. They tell the best stories and they have the oddest names for everyday objects. My grandmother insist that I roll the glass down (window), and always wants to know where my pocketbook (purse) is.
Peck brings the feel of small-town America, with its limits and freedoms, to Mary Alice’s awareness. Knowing all in town has its advantages; until, one who knows you, won’t give you a chance. For instance, I have enjoyed stage fright all my life. People in my hometown know this, and cater to my problem. I was given parts where emotions could run high, such as I could yell a part and be red in the face because of acting and not fear. When I moved to the small town of Como, I was eager to get back on stage, so to speak. I performed a solo within a year of living there. I wasn’t nervous, my voice didn’t quiver, and the experience was rather liberating. I contribute it all to people not knowing my history, thus not pooh-poohing me into lesser demanding roles.
Loved this book and highly suggest it to other readers. Not as innocent as Anne of Green Gables, and a little too slow for the Harry Potter types, this is a possible read-aloud in 5th or 6th grade class. I think it complements Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer, because of the inter-generational relationship.
Monday, May 14, 2007
South of Illinois, but NOT Southern!
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2 comments:
You know it's funny. I live in Illinois. In the small town I grew up in (South of Chicago) my Grandmother's very best friend (for like 60 years!) was named Rosella. She was Richard Peck's aunt!! I have a couple of his early books signed from him. (Rosella and my grandmother both have since passed away!)
I have a feeling this might be written about MY small town! I may just have to read it!!
Wow! How cool is that!
He made the grandmother sound so country, I spent my time reading, wondering, "how far south did Mary Alice travel?" Tennessee? Mississippi? Arkansas? You should have heard me grunt when southern Illinois was mentioned! ;D
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