A Year Down Yonder

Title: A Year Down Yonder
Author: Richard Peck
Publisher: Dial
Reading Level: 3 and up
Pages: 130
Genre: Historical Fiction






Summary:

1937 borught Mary Alice to a realiziation that she didn't want to acknowledge. Joey, her brother, was going off to fly war planes in the war. Her paretns were sending her away so they could earn more money to recouperate from the depression. And Mary Alice. Well, she was going to live with Grandma. Now most kids love going to see grandma. She is fun and loving and always baking sweets and giving our hugs. Well, that was definitely NOT how you would describe Grandma Dowdel. She was big, mean, and always coniving. Mary Alice was used to the city life, so when she moved in with Grandma it was a shock. Most of the kids labeled her as the rich Chicago girl, and they did not talk to her. However, a girl by the name of Ina-Rae became friends with Mary Alice and the came up with all sorts of things to do. Halloween came along, and the boys usually destoryed privys all over town. So, Grandma rigged her yard and they sat down to wait. When the boys came they tripped over a line and Augie got homemade glue dumped on his head. Next time they saw him he had no hair, and his head was all scabbed. An old man in town offered Grandma any of the pecans that fell from his tree. When she went to get some there was hardly any there. She hopped into a tractor and rammed the tree. Mary Alice and her grabbed as many as they could fit into a bag on a wagon. On the way home Grandma stopped by the Pensingers and grabbed some pumpkins. Mary Alice had a hard time adapting to Grandma's 'borrowing,' but in the end it helped her to learn how to keep up for herslef and get things done. For the Christmas pageant Mary Alice was chosen to be the virgin Mary. Grandma hunted foxes and sold the skins, and at the pageant, Joey showed up, and Mary Alice and him were able to go home for Christmas. Mary Alice came back to finish school, and a new boy was there. His name was Royce McNabb and everybody was falling for him. For Valentine's Day Mary Alice made some fake Valentines for Ina-Rae with one from Royce. All the girls were upset, but it was a big joke for those who kneow. Arnold Greene came into town looking for a place that he could do stay while he did art. Grandma got him to stay, and after a dinner with Miss Butler, he married and stayed in the town he never thought he would. One day at school the sirens started ringing. Tornado! All the kids ran to the safety cellars at the school, but Mary Alice ran all the way home to make sure Grandma was alright. They ran to the cellar and waited the storm out. Once it was over Grandma got out and went to go check on people. Mary Alice realized that although Grandma may be tough, she really does care for everyone. When she finally hears from her parents, Mary Alice doesn't want to go home. However, Grandma tells her she needs to, so she does. Many years later it's Mary Alice's wedding day. She is married in Grandma's house, and Grandma gives her to the groom, Royce McNabb, and they live happily ever after.

My Reaction:

This wasn't one of my favorite books, but it definitely was a good one. I loved Richard Peck's humor throughout it, and I love Grandma Dowdel.

Potential Problems:

Grandma's pretty rough, but I think the kids would love her still. In one part, Ms. Wilcox is naked and runs down the street; that might be a problem...

Recommendations:

I would recommend this to someone who wants a good laugh. It definitley will make you laugh, and it does have a good moral.