HISTORICAL FICTION - A Year Down Yonder

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Peck, Richard. 2000. A YEAR DOWN YONDER. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0803725183

PLOT SUMMARY
Peck’s work on this Newbery winning novel of historical fiction packs a wallop. The time is 1937 during the Roosevelt recession. The place is a rural, close-knit Illinois town where, “Everybody. . . .[knows] everything about you, even things that haven’t happened yet.” The people. . . . .well, suffice it to say that a flat character won’t be found in the bunch! There’s Mary Alice, a somewhat solemn teenager sent to live with her grandmother for a year while her parents work to recover from the effects of the Great Depression. Then, there’s Grandma Dowdel who is an imposing and feisty mix of cantankerous outward demeanor and wise, empathetic soul. Other characters such as Augie Fluke, Ina-Rae Gage, Old Man Nyquist, and Royce McNabb won’t disappoint either. The book chronicles a year in the Illinois “hick-town” following Mary Alice and Grandma’s adventures together. From Grandma’s outwitting of the town pranksters to Mary Alice’s classic teenage romance, the book covers the gamut of humor, subtle sentiment, and evolving characters. The flow of the novel reads more like a series of short stories, and the tales make for a rollicking and slapstick good time. What Mary Alice learns during her year down yonder is enough to last her a lifetime.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
As a piece of historical fiction, A Year Down Yonder is a superb example of a work that remains accurate while the bits of history mesh seamlessly with the rest of the story, never overwhelming the reader with too many details. However, the details that are provided are genuine descriptions of life during the Great Depression era. Peck’s treatment of the historical aspects is broad in its scope, covering both political and social life. The reader is exposed to accurate and hard-hitting facts about the times such as job loss, recessionary pressures, New Deal programs (Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration), and the beginnings of World War II. Peck also manages to work in other signs of the times like Amelia Earhart’s disappearance and Kate Smith’s singing talents. The history is impeccable, but simply serves as a backdrop for the greater story of what Mary Alice comes to know about life over the course of the year.

The story is both funny and poignant. Grandma Dowdel’s gut-busting one-liners lend a sense of playfulness to the story: “That’s the skinniest girl I ever saw. She could rest in the shade of a clothesline.” At the same time, however, Grandma doles out bits of wisdom infused with her humor: “I can’t fight all your battles for you, but I can give you a level start.” The first-person narrative delivered by Mary Alice is an effective tool, tracing the growth she experiences over the course of the year. The little gem this story hands the reader is subtle, yet powerful: things aren’t always as they appear. Mary Alice discovers that for all of her grandma’s cockles and burrs, she has a deep, abiding love for her family that Mary Alice grows to respect. Grandma becomes a heroine of sorts for Mary Alice, and this change in attitude is really the heart of the story.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Winner of the 2001 Newbery Medal
* ALA Best Books & Notable Book – 2001
* School Library Journal Starred Review – 2000
* Booklist Starred Review – 2000
* SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW: “Peck has created a delightful, insightful tale that resounds with a storyteller's wit, humor, and vivid description. Mary Alice's memories capture the atmosphere, attitudes, and lifestyle of the times while shedding light on human strengths and weaknesses.”
* HORN BOOK REVIEW: “Peck again presents memorable characters, and his subdued humor is much in evidence. Those looking to be entertained by Grandma Dowdel will enjoy this visit.”
* PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW: “In this hilarious and poignant sequel to A Long Way to Chicago, Peck once again shows that country life is anything but boring. Each season brings new adventures to 15-year-old Mary Alice as she becomes Grandma's partner in crime, helping to carry out madcap schemes to benefit friends and avenge enemies.”

CONNECTIONS
* Grandma Dowdel is full of pranks and surprises. Think of a prank you’ve played or one that has been pulled on you. Write about the experience or create an oral narrative to share with your peers.
* Read one selection from A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO and one selection from A YEAR DOWN YONDER. Compare and contrast Joey Dowdel with his sister Mary Alice Dowdel. Do you notice any similarities between the stories? Any differences? Which story is your favorite? Why?
* As a history tie-in, learn about the Great Depression and the New Deal. Research some of the New Deal programs that are a part of the book such as the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration. Go on a treasure hunt to see how many meanings of acronyms from the New Deal you can find (CCC, WPA, TVA, NYA, CWA, FDIC, PWA, SEC, REA, FERA, etc.).
*Other Children’s Books Featuring Feisty Grandparents:
1) Peck, Richard. A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO. ISBN 0142401102
2) Grimes, Nikki. STEPPING OUT WITH GRANDMA MAC. ISBN 0531303209
3) Schwartz, David. SUPER GRANDPA. ISBN 1889910333
4) Spinell, Jerry. CRASH. ISBN 0679885501
5) Konigsburg, E.L. A VIEW FROM SATURDAY. ISBN 0689817215