Genre 5: Historical Fiction: A Book by Richard Peck

A Year Down Yonder

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Peck, Richard. 2000. A Year Down Yonder. New York, NY. Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-8037-2518-3.

2.PLOT SUMMARY
A Year Down Yonder is a story of a fifteen year old girl, named Mary Alice, whose parents experience hard times because of the Depression. After dad looses his job, then their apartment Mary Alice is forced to leave Chicago and spend a year with her grandma in a small Illinois town. This book chronicles the adventures Mary Alice share with her grandma, best known for shaking things up.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
A Year Down Yonder is a heartfelt story of an adventurous time shared between a young girl and her grandma. This story is told from the point of view of Mary Alice, the fifteen year old main character. In the beginning Mary is hesitant to spend time with her grandma because of her overwhelming and harsh personality, but she soons realizes grandma's ultimate motive is to help those in need. On one such occasion she showcases her willingness to assist when she makes pies for a school function with pecans she takes from Old Man Nyquist and pumpkins she takes from the Pensingers. "It was slim pickings on the refreshment table..."Grandma and I began cutting up the pies..." "I was shocked at how grown-ups pushed in first..."" We fed the multitudes." Peck vividly depicts the harsh, yet gentle side of grandma during such a depressing time. The characters and historical period definitely was brought to life in this brilliant story.
While the writing styles don't yield itself to too much historical details, readers have a strong sense of what it was like to live during that time. The story ends on an emotional note, not just happily ever after between man and woman, but between granddaughter and grandma. When conditions improved and Mary had to return home she did not want to go. Grandma realizes her hesitation. "You go on home to your folks. It'll be all right. I don't lock my doors." "She knew the decision was too big a load for me to carry by myself."" She had eyes in the back of her heart." It is at this moment that grandma showcases her wisdom and confirms the special bond that had formed between them. This heartfelt story is a must read for readers of all ages.


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
"Hilarious and Poignant."

----Publisher's Weekly

"Peck is at his best with these hilarious stories that rest solidly within the American literary tradition of Mark Twain."

-----Amazon.com

5. CONNECTIONS
Other Books by Richard Peck:
Strays Like Us
The Great Interactive Dream Machine
Lost in Cyberspace
Amanda/Miranda
A Long Way from Chicago


Classroom Connections:
Research information about the Depression
Spend time talking about grandmother and the important roles they play
Compare and contrast life in the city and the country