Richard Peck - A Long Way From Chicago

Pros: Seven laugh-out-loud stories wrapped up into one wonderful book! Makes a great "read-aloud" book, too!

Cons: Gun-totin' Grandma Dowdel doesn't make the best of role models. Some might take offense...

The Bottom Line: This 1999 Newbery Honor book appeals to young people and adults. It has it all: Hilarious and outrageous story-telling, plus lovable and memorable characters.

Review: Richard Peck has authored more than 20 books for young people. Until a few months ago, though, when Peck was awarded the 2000 Newbery for his latest book, A Year Down Yonder, I'd never heard of the man. I'd been rooting for Kate DiCamillo's...

Pros: Great characters and writing

Cons: Not for those who take things too literally

The Bottom Line: A real prize, no matter how you look at it.

Review: Many of my readers already know that I grew up in the farmlands of Ohio. There wasn’t much to do there. The entertainment gaps were often filled by visits from my grandparents. As a little girl, I would often sit with my grandparents as they told me...

Pros: rich characterization, strong author voice

Cons: main character is often on wrong side of law, book is too short (148 pages)

The Bottom Line: I highly recommend it because Grandma Dowdel is a rich, complex character and the writing is clever, clear and resounds strongly

Review: I didn't know what to expect from A Long Way From Chicago. Other than the Newbery Honor distinction, which to me is at the very least a litmus test of quality, I had no prior knowledge of content or author. Boy, do I love being surprised. I'm a ...

Pros: Short, entertaining read; a real delight for adults and kids alike

Cons: -

The Bottom Line: This is an oddly fun, entertaining look at two young city-slicker's yearly visits to their backwoods grandmother's home.

Review: Author Richard Peck has written a wonderful series of short stories that combine to form the brilliant novel A Long Way From Chicago. Set during the years of the Great Depression in rural Illinois, young Joey Dowdel takes us on a journey with his...

Pros: Will appeal to children

Cons: Available only in hardcover--so far

Review: The Newberry Medal Honor Book "A Long Way from Chicago" by Richard Peck is the story of a young girl and boy from Chicago at the time of the Depression who visit their unique grandmother who lives in a small town somewhere near St Louis. The...