A Long Way from Chicago

A Long Way from Chicago, A Novel in Stories
by Richard Peck

Puffin Books, 1998







Genre:  Historical fiction, Realistic fiction

Honors:  Newbery Honor Book, National Book Award Finalist, ALA Notable Book

Review:  Every summer Joey and Mary Alice travel from Chicago to visit their Grandma Dowd, a woman who's both prickly on the outside but soft and kind in the middle. Each year their grandma unwittingly takes them along on new adventures in this humorous look at the meaning of loyalty and small town life in America during the late 1920's and early 30's. 

Opinion:  I thoroughly enjoyed the clever and witty Grandma Dowd and her loyalty towards her loved ones. The subtle humor of Richard Peck, combined with the historical background, made an enjoyable read.

Ideas:  This book could be used in reference to the understanding of rural America and studying small town communities. Additionally, the historical topic of the Great Depression, could tie in well with American history.