A Year Down Yonder

A Year Down Yonder
by: Richard Peck
Copyright: 2000
Pages: 130
Reading Level: 9-12

"You old busybody buzzard," he growled at Grandma.
"How'd you get in?"
"Your kitchen door's in the yard, you ossified old owl-hoot," Grandma yelled, returning fire. "I come to rob you blind."

A Year Down Yonder is a story of a 15 year old girl going to live with her grandma. Mary Alice's father had lost his job, and they couldn't afford to have her living with them anymore. So Mary Alice, a girl from Chicago goes to Illinois to live with her Grandma Dowdel. She has spent every summer down there before, but this time it was for the whole year, and Mary had no idea what was in store. In school she right off the bat makes an enemy, luckily Grandma Dowdel takes care of her.
Mary Alice learns that Grandma though has "Eyes in the back of her heart", she can also be ruthless. Especially with the poor boys trying to play there Halloween tricks. Mary Alice also learns to cook from her Grandma, often with other people pumpkins and pecans. Through out the story Grandma is constantly doing little things of service, and we see that she truly cares about those close to her life.
Mary Alice early on makes a friend Ina-Rae, and for Valentines Day we see a little bit of Grandma coming out of Mary Alice. They decide to play a trick on Carleen Lovejoy. The day of Valentines day Ina- Rae finds on her desk three love letters. We later find out they are from the one and only Mary Alice, but Carleen doesn't know this. Mary Alice eventually works up the courage to ask out the cutest boy in school, Royce McNabb. The Sunday he comes over things go less than planned and an unexpected guest drops in on Maxine Patch who was "naked- nude" posing (for the artist Arnold Green.) Maxine Patch comes running down the stairs with only a large snake wrapped around her. That seems to be the end of Mary Alice's and Royce's study date. However at the end of the year party they manage to sit together on the hayride. And years later they are married.

Recommended to: I think this is a fun read for anyone. Most people can relate to spending time with Grandma. I know mine is often mean but I know she has "Eyes in the back of her heart."
Problems: In the book the bully of the town has a child and abandons it during the school play, so this may be something parents need to discuss with there children.
My Reaction: This is such a fun book. Its a quick read, and doesn't dwell on details. Its just one fun story after another. Also would be a fun one to read with your daughter or granddaughter.