Additional Information:
- Paperback, 148 pages
- Awards: Newberry Honor Book
Synopsis: In A Long
Way from Chicago, every chapter recounts a different summer that Joey
Dowdel and his sister, Mary Alice, visit their grandmother, beginning in summer
of 1929. On their first trip in chapter
one, Joey and Mary Alice are less than enthusiastic about visiting a woman they
have never met in a town where one must still use an outhouse to go to the
bathroom. But throughout the years, each
one more humorous and surprising than before, Joey and Mary Alice learn to
appreciate and love their grandmother through her hilarious escapades. Told from the perspective of Joey, A Long Way from Chicago takes place over
a time period of eight years, and concludes with Joey traveling through his
grandmother’s town on a troop train during World War II. Through remarkable storytelling, A Long Way from Chicago conveys the bond
between grandmother and grandchildren through several small-town adventures.
Book Notes: A Long Way from Chicago is witty, nostalgic, and a page turner for readers of all ages. It is perfect for reading aloud or reading independently in the classroom. It is also set during the Great Depression, so it is a wonderful choice for teaching historical fiction. There are no illustrations on the inside, but the chapters are short and each tells a different story from a different year. A Long Way from Chicago can be used to teach theme, narrator's frame, characterization, setting, and American history.
Critique: A Long Way from Chicago is a perfect read, especially during the summer. The characters are well developed and the story truly transports the reader into the 1940s. It is light-hearted, funny, and addicting to read, leaving the reader hungry for more. It is an excellent choice for a novel study, especially for fourth and fifth grade students, because it includes various literary elements. Beautifully written and charming beyond compare, A Long Way from Chicago never fails to warm the heart and entertain the reader to the last page.
Classroom Activities: As previously stated, this book is a great choice for a novel study in the classroom. It includes elements of theme, setting, characterization, frame, and voice. Below are links to classroom ideas and lesson plans affiliated with the book.
Helpful Links:
Author website: http://richardepeck.com/
Book review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEI59nOQVsM
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