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A Long Way from Chicago
A summer they'll never forget.
Each summer Joey and his sister, Mary Alice—two city slickers from Chicago—visit Grandma Dowdel's seemingly sleepy Illinois town. Soon enough, they find that it's far from sleepy...and Grandma is far from your typical grandmother. From seeing their first corpse (and he isn't resting easy) to helping Grandma trespass, catch the sheriff in his underwear, and feed the hungry—all in one day—Joey and Mary Alice have nine summers they'll never forget!
"A rollicking celebration of an eccentric grandmother and childhood memories." —School Library Journal, starred review
"Each tale is a small masterpiece of storytelling." —The Horn Book, starred review
"Grandma Dowdel embodies not only the heart of a small town but the spirit of an era gone by...Remarkable and fine." —Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewA Newbery Honor Book
A National Book Award Finalist
An ALA Notable Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Each summer Joey and his sister, Mary Alice—two city slickers from Chicago—visit Grandma Dowdel's seemingly sleepy Illinois town. Soon enough, they find that it's far from sleepy...and Grandma is far from your typical grandmother. From seeing their first corpse (and he isn't resting easy) to helping Grandma trespass, catch the sheriff in his underwear, and feed the hungry—all in one day—Joey and Mary Alice have nine summers they'll never forget!
"A rollicking celebration of an eccentric grandmother and childhood memories." —School Library Journal, starred review
"Each tale is a small masterpiece of storytelling." —The Horn Book, starred review
"Grandma Dowdel embodies not only the heart of a small town but the spirit of an era gone by...Remarkable and fine." —Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewA Newbery Honor Book
A National Book Award Finalist
An ALA Notable Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
157 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1998
548 people are currently reading
13743 people want to read
About the author
Richard Peck
113 books731 followersRichard Peck was an American novelist known for his prolific contributions to modern young adult literature. He was awarded the Newbery Medal in 2001 for his novel A Year Down Yonder. For his cumulative contribution to young-adult literature, he received the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1990.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,982 reviews
September 19, 2017
"I don't think Grandma's a very good influence on us," Mary Alice said.
Every August, Joey Dowdel and his kid sister Mary Alice spend a week at their Granny's house.
She was so big and the town was so small. She was old too, or so we thought -- old as the hills. And tough! She was tough as an old boot, or so we thought. As the years went by though, Mary Alice and I grew up, and though Grandma never changed, we'd seem to see a different woman every summer.
Over the years, Grandma Dowdel gets the kids involved in all sorts of hilarious adventures - catching criminals, helping some star-crossed lovers elope, and showing up the snooty banker's wife. Grandma is not above stretching the truth orstealing borrowing someone's boat to achieve her goals. The sheriff even calls her a "one-woman crime wave." She may indeed seem to be as tough as a boot - after the first summer, Grandma doesn't even meet the kids at the train station; she figures that they can find their own way to her house, but Joey, Mary Alice, and the reader soon come to realize that she's something of an old softy inside. And she's also one of the most delightful literary characters I've ever encountered.
This book has already made the jump onto my favorites list; it's one of those feel-good stories I look forward to reading again and again.
Every August, Joey Dowdel and his kid sister Mary Alice spend a week at their Granny's house.
She was so big and the town was so small. She was old too, or so we thought -- old as the hills. And tough! She was tough as an old boot, or so we thought. As the years went by though, Mary Alice and I grew up, and though Grandma never changed, we'd seem to see a different woman every summer.
Over the years, Grandma Dowdel gets the kids involved in all sorts of hilarious adventures - catching criminals, helping some star-crossed lovers elope, and showing up the snooty banker's wife. Grandma is not above stretching the truth or
This book has already made the jump onto my favorites list; it's one of those feel-good stories I look forward to reading again and again.
December 29, 2022
How could I row these grandkids of mine back past the Rod and Gun Club? They'd already seen what no child should--the sheriff and his deputies, blind drunk and naked as jaybirds, dancin' jigs and I don't know what all. It's like to have marked this girl for life.
Grandma nudged Mary Alice, who stood there in the big apron looking drooped and damaged. (PGS. 57-58)
YA- Newbery Honor Award- 1998
I think I found a new (to me) favorite YA writer. Rest in Peace.
These were 8 chapters of every summer for one week Joey and Mary Alice spend with grandma, told by Joey. Every chapter is hilarious and even better than the last. The kids have conflicting feelings on their grandma and her behavior. She seems tough and crazy but deep down that country exterior she is kind in her own way. Discovering what makes her tick is worth the craziness.
I loved and enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend this author and this novel.
Grandma nudged Mary Alice, who stood there in the big apron looking drooped and damaged. (PGS. 57-58)
YA- Newbery Honor Award- 1998
I think I found a new (to me) favorite YA writer. Rest in Peace.
These were 8 chapters of every summer for one week Joey and Mary Alice spend with grandma, told by Joey. Every chapter is hilarious and even better than the last. The kids have conflicting feelings on their grandma and her behavior. She seems tough and crazy but deep down that country exterior she is kind in her own way. Discovering what makes her tick is worth the craziness.
I loved and enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend this author and this novel.
May 31, 2008
I liked this little book. It was funny. It's about two kids from Chicago who go and visit their Grandma in the country every summer, and how she is exactly like my funny Grandma (aka "Granny") in North Carolina.
My sister recommended this book to me after she read it in her book club. I am a book club virgin. (Meaning, I have never actually belonged to a book club, or attended a live meeting, but I DO love talking about books on this website - oh my gosh, is that like the dorky guys who never actually talk to girls in real life, but chat with girls online all the time and think that counts???)
I forgot what I was saying.
Oh yeah. So anyways, I have never been in a real live book club, but I don't know what you would actually discuss about this book. Unless, of course, you have a southern grandma like me and my sister do. I don't think most people do.
Here is a story about my Granny and my one and only cousin Daniel. This is exactly what the Grandma in this book was like, except it's a real story about my real Granny.
Daniel was a little kid, and he found fire crackers in one of her closets. He asked if he could set them off in her back yard and she said "Sure!". So he set them off. Unfortunately, they were illegal, and someone called the police. The cops showed up at her door, and Daniel hid in the closet, terrified. Granny knew how to handle the situation. The officers said, "Ma'am, we've had some reports of illegal fire crackers being set off at your house. Could we please have a look around?"
My Granny said, "What? You boys want some crackers? Don't bother me! I'm not feeding you!" And she slammed the door. And my cousin did not end up in the slammer. Slam dunk, Granny!
I think that tale gets taller each time my sister and I re-tell it. But hey, it's our heritage. Some people came from pioneer stock, but we came from a real "mountain woman". (Her words.) She sleeps with an ice pick under her pillow. Although she acknowledges that by the time a burglar (or one of the "dope dealers" she says hang out in the abandoned house across the street) gets close enough to her bed for her to stab him with it, it'll be too late, she says, "But at least he'll get a real good surprise from this little old lady first!"
My sister recommended this book to me after she read it in her book club. I am a book club virgin. (Meaning, I have never actually belonged to a book club, or attended a live meeting, but I DO love talking about books on this website - oh my gosh, is that like the dorky guys who never actually talk to girls in real life, but chat with girls online all the time and think that counts???)
I forgot what I was saying.
Oh yeah. So anyways, I have never been in a real live book club, but I don't know what you would actually discuss about this book. Unless, of course, you have a southern grandma like me and my sister do. I don't think most people do.
Here is a story about my Granny and my one and only cousin Daniel. This is exactly what the Grandma in this book was like, except it's a real story about my real Granny.
Daniel was a little kid, and he found fire crackers in one of her closets. He asked if he could set them off in her back yard and she said "Sure!". So he set them off. Unfortunately, they were illegal, and someone called the police. The cops showed up at her door, and Daniel hid in the closet, terrified. Granny knew how to handle the situation. The officers said, "Ma'am, we've had some reports of illegal fire crackers being set off at your house. Could we please have a look around?"
My Granny said, "What? You boys want some crackers? Don't bother me! I'm not feeding you!" And she slammed the door. And my cousin did not end up in the slammer. Slam dunk, Granny!
I think that tale gets taller each time my sister and I re-tell it. But hey, it's our heritage. Some people came from pioneer stock, but we came from a real "mountain woman". (Her words.) She sleeps with an ice pick under her pillow. Although she acknowledges that by the time a burglar (or one of the "dope dealers" she says hang out in the abandoned house across the street) gets close enough to her bed for her to stab him with it, it'll be too late, she says, "But at least he'll get a real good surprise from this little old lady first!"
July 27, 2008
This story’s grandma does not exactly fit the mold of the classic plump, white-haired, cookie-baking character used in other stories or commercial ads. Grandma Dowdel has a rather tough and leather-like persona that fascinates her two grandchildren each summer as they learn more and more about how she thinks.
Through these summer experiences, the reader learns about the Great Depression, small town America, and gets a glimpse of Chicago during its gangster-plagued years. More than history, however, our readers see that classic societal problems as well as classic character traits have always been with us.
Grandma doesn’t lecture these kids. Instead she shows them life’s realities and her special way of dealing with them. The problems include drunkenness and lewd behavior, child abuse, gossip, foreclosures, bullying and more. The positive characteristics include caring for the poor and the elderly, independence, self-reliance, and wisdom. Her sheer ordinary humanity is shown via the use of white lies, wit, patience, and hard work. Grandma seems to intuit the needs of others, but really she simply made a choice to listen and see, and not turn away from hardship.
Through these summer experiences, the reader learns about the Great Depression, small town America, and gets a glimpse of Chicago during its gangster-plagued years. More than history, however, our readers see that classic societal problems as well as classic character traits have always been with us.
Grandma doesn’t lecture these kids. Instead she shows them life’s realities and her special way of dealing with them. The problems include drunkenness and lewd behavior, child abuse, gossip, foreclosures, bullying and more. The positive characteristics include caring for the poor and the elderly, independence, self-reliance, and wisdom. Her sheer ordinary humanity is shown via the use of white lies, wit, patience, and hard work. Grandma seems to intuit the needs of others, but really she simply made a choice to listen and see, and not turn away from hardship.
October 2, 2017
I'm really loving this author. Yes, I'm picking up books from the children's section and reading them to myself. But these books are so much easier to enjoy than the junk written for adult readers!! Characters that you either want to meet or could swear you have already. Circumstances that feel familiar and comfortable - like an old worn cotton shirt, the smell of breakfast coming up the stairs to wake you with the pleasant reminder that you are visiting grandma and they don't serve cold cereal here... nice, friendly, pleasant.
Maybe I should pick up flowers for algernon next so I can relate to the main character as his brain cells similarly disappear..!
Maybe I should pick up flowers for algernon next so I can relate to the main character as his brain cells similarly disappear..!
July 10, 2021
Read with my two grandkids and we all enjoyed Grandma Dowdel's antics. I think I laughed out loud more than they did! Somewhat dated but there are many aspects that seem timeless to me.
September 19, 2024
Back in the 1990s my wife and I had a project of trying to read all the Newbery Medal books. We made a pretty good run of it but got bogged down by some series where the Newbery book fell in the middle. Twenty-some years after we set the list aside, we're going to see if we can get back into it. Here's an Honor Book that precedes the actual Medal winner.
A brother and sister leave Chicago every summer from 1929 to 1935 to visit their grandmother in Downstate Illinois. Grandma Dowdel is a colorful, larger-than-life figure: willful, petty and spiteful, with a strong sense of justice, be it within or -- more usually -- above the law.
She's a hero to those she likes and a terror to those that cross her. And her adventures are amusing yarns that verge on tall tales.
Fun.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Prologue -- Shotgun Cheatham's Last Night Above Ground ~ 1929 -- The Mouse in the Milk ~ 1930 -- A One-Woman Crime Wave ~ 1931 -- The Day of Judgment ~ 1932 -- The Phantom Brakeman ~ 1933 -- Things With Wings ~ 1934 -- Centennial Summer ~ 1935 -- The Troop Train ~ 1942
A brother and sister leave Chicago every summer from 1929 to 1935 to visit their grandmother in Downstate Illinois. Grandma Dowdel is a colorful, larger-than-life figure: willful, petty and spiteful, with a strong sense of justice, be it within or -- more usually -- above the law.
She's a hero to those she likes and a terror to those that cross her. And her adventures are amusing yarns that verge on tall tales.
Fun.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Prologue -- Shotgun Cheatham's Last Night Above Ground ~ 1929 -- The Mouse in the Milk ~ 1930 -- A One-Woman Crime Wave ~ 1931 -- The Day of Judgment ~ 1932 -- The Phantom Brakeman ~ 1933 -- Things With Wings ~ 1934 -- Centennial Summer ~ 1935 -- The Troop Train ~ 1942
September 11, 2018
This is good, ol' timey fun. If you like A Christmas Story kind of content and storytelling, Richard Peck's series on the enigmatic Grandma Dowdel will warm your heart and jiggle your funny bone.
January 13, 2026
I’ve read this book so many times, I can’t even count. But it’s been several years between this reading and the last. I won’t make that mistake again. Grandma Dowdel is one of my all-time favorite characters in literature. I. Love. Her. So. Much. She makes me think of the line from Into The Woods that says, “Nice is different than good.”
Reread: December, 2024
I read this out loud to my 7th graders, and we finished today. I cannot get through that last short chapter without tearing up, no matter how many times I read it. I just love this book so danged much.
Reread: January, 2026
Read aloud to my 7th graders. I want to be Grandma Dowdel when I grow up.
Reread: December, 2024
I read this out loud to my 7th graders, and we finished today. I cannot get through that last short chapter without tearing up, no matter how many times I read it. I just love this book so danged much.
Reread: January, 2026
Read aloud to my 7th graders. I want to be Grandma Dowdel when I grow up.
October 1, 2015
This is just a really good MG book that I think all ages will enjoy. My adult daughter saw it on the table next to my writing space and said, "That is worth re-reading often." That's totally true. I love Grandma Dowdel and the complexity of her character, and I love seeing the two kids grow up over the years and be shaped by what they learn a long way from Chicago.
April 8, 2021
Stories from two children's visits with their grandmother back in the early 1930's. These stories are priceless and mostly from the viewpoint of the young boy. The grandmother is old, rambunctious, flamboyant, and laugh-out-loud funny as she slyly teaches life lessons to her grandchildren during their once a year week visit. I chose this book to fulfill a challenge, but I don't know when a book has entertained me so thoroughly. I chose the audio which is fantastic in bringing the hilarious scenes to life. I most certainly will listen to book 2 asap. While this genre is out of my wheelhouse, it was exactly what I needed at this dreary time in life. Thank you, Richard Peck, for the many laughs. Highly recommended to all!!
June 21, 2011
This book is so funny, had me laughing, grinning, chuckling. A great feel good book, which was well timed after an 'apocalyptic read'. I just love grandma and her tricks. Because of this, a fat five star rating!
April 24, 2023
Fans of children's literature can do a lot better.
March 21, 2024
A Long Way From Chicago is a collection of stories featuring two siblings as they visit their grandmother in the country. Each chapter covers another summer, so we spend 9 summers with Joey’s Grandma.
This is not your typical grandma. She gets into trouble and often does things just because, for no moral reason. Some situations were humorous, but I didn’t find myself laughing or finding anything particularly funny. Nothing here is particularly wholesome, beyond the fact that the children are being forced to spend time with a crazy relative and they discover sometimes that they don’t entirely hate it.
If nothing else, I was reminded of summers with my own grandma, which, while nothing like the grandma in this story, reminds me to treasure those memories and summers as much as I can. Perhaps that’s why I didn’t find myself enjoying the book, despite the rave reviews. Maybe if they’d have had a grandma like mine, I’d have given it 5 stars.
Content: nothing particularly of note, except for some questionable and unclear morals/motivations for decisions. This was recommended by Gladys Hunt in “Honey for a Woman’s heart” as a good read aloud book. I can see many children finding the bizarre events funny.
This is not your typical grandma. She gets into trouble and often does things just because, for no moral reason. Some situations were humorous, but I didn’t find myself laughing or finding anything particularly funny. Nothing here is particularly wholesome, beyond the fact that the children are being forced to spend time with a crazy relative and they discover sometimes that they don’t entirely hate it.
If nothing else, I was reminded of summers with my own grandma, which, while nothing like the grandma in this story, reminds me to treasure those memories and summers as much as I can. Perhaps that’s why I didn’t find myself enjoying the book, despite the rave reviews. Maybe if they’d have had a grandma like mine, I’d have given it 5 stars.
Content: nothing particularly of note, except for some questionable and unclear morals/motivations for decisions. This was recommended by Gladys Hunt in “Honey for a Woman’s heart” as a good read aloud book. I can see many children finding the bizarre events funny.
September 11, 2024
I started reading this book because it was a recommendation from my incredible goal teacher Mrs. Edlin who has amazing book choices. Once again her recommendations have not failed me because this is a really good book. It is funny and unique and not what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it.
March 17, 2009
A great book! Very funny. People who live in or grew up in small towns will recognize something of their lives in Grandma's small Illinois town where everyone knows everyone's business--"sometimes before it happens." Grandma herself is an unforgettable character. Crotchety and aloof from the rest of the town, shunned by most of her neighbors (until they need her help), Grandma gets the best of snobby society women, out-of-town interlopers, Halloween pranksters & theives, and school bullies by skillfully setting up situations where their own vices and vanities trip them up and get them in trouble. Underneath her hard exterior, Grandma of course has a heart of gold (but don't mention it to her; she'd only get mad) and she routinely cares for the people in her town who the more affluent and influential townfolk would ignore. You'll wish she were your grandma!
My favorite part is the ending. (Spoilers ahead.)
When the children leave after their week with Grandma in each of the seven chapters of the book, they wave from the train even though Grandma never waves back. In an epilogue set seven years after that last summer visit, the narrator Joey is 17 and on a troop train headed to basic training and, eventually, World War II. He has sent a telegram to Grandma to tell her that the troop train will pass through her town, though without stopping, sometime in the middle of the night. The train is two hours behind schedule when it finally does pass through Grandma's town in the hour before dawn. As it approaches Grandma's house, the last house in town, Joey sees that every light in the house is on, though Grandma always turned out a light when she left a room, and there's Grandma on the porch, "watching through the watches of the night . . . waving--waving big at all the cars, hoping [Joey'd] see." I cried.
My favorite part is the ending. (Spoilers ahead.)
When the children leave after their week with Grandma in each of the seven chapters of the book, they wave from the train even though Grandma never waves back. In an epilogue set seven years after that last summer visit, the narrator Joey is 17 and on a troop train headed to basic training and, eventually, World War II. He has sent a telegram to Grandma to tell her that the troop train will pass through her town, though without stopping, sometime in the middle of the night. The train is two hours behind schedule when it finally does pass through Grandma's town in the hour before dawn. As it approaches Grandma's house, the last house in town, Joey sees that every light in the house is on, though Grandma always turned out a light when she left a room, and there's Grandma on the porch, "watching through the watches of the night . . . waving--waving big at all the cars, hoping [Joey'd] see." I cried.
February 9, 2017
I basically just LOVE Richard Peck.
November 18, 2019
Sweet book with a great grandmother character.
March 6, 2023
This book was great and made me laugh!
The stories were mostly more humorous as the grandkids were younger, but there were still awesome quotable passages to help teach Chicaho history and make it relatable to teens.
Grandma Dowdel is a hoot! Most of the wisdom comes from Joey.
Worth the read! I'm going to have to re-read it now with my tween!
Some of the many quotes that made me laugh
"Even from a distance, he looked like somebody you didn't want to know better."
"About the only thing Vandaylia and Junior had going for them as a couple was that they weren't cousins."
“Never trust an ugly woman. She's got a grudge against the world,' said Grandma who was no oil painting herself.”
Solid 4 Stars.
The stories were mostly more humorous as the grandkids were younger, but there were still awesome quotable passages to help teach Chicaho history and make it relatable to teens.
Grandma Dowdel is a hoot! Most of the wisdom comes from Joey.
Worth the read! I'm going to have to re-read it now with my tween!
Some of the many quotes that made me laugh
"Even from a distance, he looked like somebody you didn't want to know better."
"About the only thing Vandaylia and Junior had going for them as a couple was that they weren't cousins."
“Never trust an ugly woman. She's got a grudge against the world,' said Grandma who was no oil painting herself.”
Solid 4 Stars.
May 12, 2023
Where has this book been all my life! It was fantastic!!! I listened to it on audio. The narrator did a great job with all the voices. I wish I had known about this one when my kids were younger. Highly recommended!
August 22, 2025
A silly book reminiscent of childhood, but also so endearing. You can tell Grandma Dowdel has a heart for the outcast even if she has a funny way of showing it. And the end just always gets me - nothing like a Grandma’s love🤍
April 2, 2018
Don’t let the juvenile designation fool you, this is a book anyone can enjoy. Granny Mazur’s grandkids soon learn that there is a lot more to her than her grouchy exterior. She doesn’t suffer fools or snobs lightly and has a great many tricks up her sleeves. She outwits both the rowdy neighborhood kids and condescending adults and you will enjoy every minute. My husband and I both laughed our way through this book and its sequel: A Year Down Yonder.
Find A Long Way From Chicago at the Westminster Public Library!
Find A Year Down Yonder at the Westminster Public Library!
Find A Long Way From Chicago at the Westminster Public Library!
Find A Year Down Yonder at the Westminster Public Library!
April 12, 2025
Owen: it. Was. So. AWESOME! The grandma was really cool! She has a gigantic gun behind a shelf and when trespassers come she just whips it out! Like when those Cowgills come and she’s like “not today!” You need to read it.
Mom: this book was a lot of fun! It’s told in a series of short stories that feature the main event from each year of Joey and Mary Alice’s annual summer visit to their grandma’s house. Grandma is a Character, and each story is hilarious. I’m really looking forward to A Year Down Yonder!
2025 update: still hilarious, enjoyed immensely once again
Mom: this book was a lot of fun! It’s told in a series of short stories that feature the main event from each year of Joey and Mary Alice’s annual summer visit to their grandma’s house. Grandma is a Character, and each story is hilarious. I’m really looking forward to A Year Down Yonder!
2025 update: still hilarious, enjoyed immensely once again
January 24, 2025
School reading. Awesome. I need to get back into reading older Newbery books because they are impeccable. xD
May 11, 2022
Welcome to another episode of me finding books now that I wish I had read as a kid! This book's writing style was smooth and entertaining, and the characters were so fun and unique. While the plot lacked a bit for me now, I can't imagine how much I would have loved this book years ago. Grandma is such a great character, awful and yet amazing at the same time!
Those who know me know that I'm not a fan of books spanning over many years, but I didn't really mind it here. The stories still flowed in with one another, and we got to watch the characters "grow up" over the years. I read this book easily in one day, and while it wasn't the most exciting book ever, I still enjoyed the purity of the storyline in comparison to all the YA I've been reading!
Those who know me know that I'm not a fan of books spanning over many years, but I didn't really mind it here. The stories still flowed in with one another, and we got to watch the characters "grow up" over the years. I read this book easily in one day, and while it wasn't the most exciting book ever, I still enjoyed the purity of the storyline in comparison to all the YA I've been reading!
March 15, 2023
it was a good book, definitely a lot better than the teacher's funeral. i liked how it was a different story every chapter.
February 10, 2017
Author Richard Peck started this novel as a short story, using his story "Shotgun Cheatham's Last Night Above Ground" as the first chapter when he discovered that his main character Grandma Dowdel couldn't be contained to just one story. The narrative structure is built around grandchildren Joey and Mary Alice visiting their Grandmother in rural Illinois every summer. Growing up in Chicago, the two siblings have a lot to learn about small town living, and their crusty Grandmother's old fashioned ways. Each chapter is written as a stand alone story, and cover the years between 1929-1935. We see the children age into teens, and their relationship with their Grandmother matures. She is truly a force to be reckoned with, and has the proverbial kind heart underneath her gruff exterior. A lovely prologue and epilogue bookend the stories, and Grandma Dowdel is someone you will never ever forget!
August 16, 2019
I've been meaning to read this for years, and now it's the "classic" on our Battle of the Books list, so (yay) it advanced to the top of my TBR list. This novel is a sweet, funny, nostalgic tale of summers at grandma's house. This grandma is unlike any you've ever encoutered, though. I chuckled quite a bit and genuinely enjoyed this yarn in which the kids were observers and sometimes unwitting participants in Grandma Dowdle's outrageous, yet good-hearted, schemes.
The only thing that I didn't like was that Grandma and the kids rarely talked, which seemed weird to me. While I enjoyed this and totally understand why it won a Newbery when it did, I am interested in seeing if it resonates with my middle school readers this year.
The only thing that I didn't like was that Grandma and the kids rarely talked, which seemed weird to me. While I enjoyed this and totally understand why it won a Newbery when it did, I am interested in seeing if it resonates with my middle school readers this year.
February 6, 2008
One word: BORING. I'm sorry, but I had to fight to pay attention to this book. I was going to read the sequel, but forget it, I can't take anymore of the characters or their stories. It wasn't that this was badly written, it just never really grabbed me. I couldn't find any point to the stories, other than a kind was relating his summers with his wacky grandmother. Oh well I gave it a shot.
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