A Long Way from Chicago facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Richard Peck |
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| Illustrator | Yang Hee |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Coming of age |
| Genre | Children's historical fiction |
| Published | September 1, 1998 Dial Press |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 148 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-803-72290-3 |
| OCLC | 38249685 |
| LC Class | PZ7.P338 Ll 1998 |
| Followed by | A Year Down Yonder |
A Long Way from Chicago is a special kind of book by Richard Peck. It's called a "novel in stories" because it's a collection of short stories that all connect to tell a bigger tale. The book earned the Newbery Honor in 1999. This award recognizes a very good book for children. Richard Peck's next book, A Year Down Yonder, actually won the top Newbery Medal in 2001.
The stories in A Long Way from Chicago are about two kids, Joey and Mary Alice. They live in the big city of Chicago. Every summer, they leave the city to visit their Grandma Dowdel in a small town in rural Illinois. The book covers their visits from 1929 to 1942. Each summer brings a new adventure and shows how Grandma Dowdel is a very unique and clever person.
Contents
Summer Adventures with Grandma
Shotgun Cheatham's Last Night Above Ground (1929)
This story is about the first summer Joey and Mary Alice visit Grandma. A local man, Shotgun Cheatham, has just passed away. A newspaper reporter comes to town looking for information about him. Grandma Dowdel decides to hold a viewing at her house. She tells the reporter that Shotgun was a war hero, even though it wasn't true. Grandma's rival, Effie Wilcox, also comes to the viewing. Suddenly, the coffin seems to move! Grandma quickly fires her shotgun at the coffin. Everyone runs out, but it turns out a cat hiding under a curtain caused the movement.
The Mouse in the Milk (1930)
The next summer, two boys named the Cowgill brothers are causing trouble. They blow up Grandma's mailbox and Effie Wilcox's outhouse. Grandma knows they might try to steal from her. So, she tells one of the boys she won't be home for her milk delivery. That night, she waits in the dark for them. When they try to sneak in, she catches them. Grandma then threatens to spread a rumor about finding a mouse in their family's milk. This would hurt their family business. The Cowgill boys quickly promise to stop causing trouble.
A One-Woman Crime Wave (1931)
Grandma Dowdel has a clever way of getting catfish from the lake. She uses special traps that aren't quite allowed. She even uses the sheriff's boat without asking! She catches fish to feed people who are traveling through town. One day, she sees the sheriff's helpers while fishing. But they don't seem to notice what she's doing. Grandma is very good at getting things done her own way.
The Day of Judgment (1932)
This story is about a pie baking contest at the county fair. Grandma's gooseberry pie is competing against Rupert Pennypacker's pie. The winner gets a ride in a biplane! Grandma wants to win for her town's pride. At the last minute, she secretly switches the name tags on the pies. Rupert Pennypacker ends up winning with Grandma's pie. But Grandma still finds a way for Joey to get his airplane ride.
The Phantom Brakeman (1933)
Mary Alice is a big fan of the famous child star Shirley Temple this summer. Meanwhile, some young couples in town want to run away together. Their families don't approve. Grandma Dowdel uses an old ghost story to help them. With Joey pretending to be "The Phantom Brakeman," Grandma helps Vandalia Eubanks and Junior Stubbs escape and be together.
Things with Wings (1934)
Joey is fascinated by a new car model, the Hudson Terraplane 8. Grandma is busy trying to help Mrs. Effie Wilcox. Mrs. Wilcox lost her home because she couldn't pay her bank loan. Grandma uses rumors about Abe Lincoln to convince the banker, Mr. Weidenbach, to let Mrs. Wilcox have her home back. Grandma is very persuasive!
Centennial Summer (1935)
The town is celebrating its 100th birthday this summer. Grandma Dowdel has a friendly competition with Mrs. Weidenbach. They argue about whose family has the most talent. They also argue about who has the oldest living war veteran in their family. It's a fun and lively celebration for the whole town.
The Troop Train (1942)
Years later, Joey is grown up and has joined the Army Air Corps. He loves airplanes, just like when he was a kid. He sends a telegram to Grandma, telling her his troop train will pass through her town. When the train goes by, Joey sees Grandma's house brightly lit. Grandma is outside, waving to every single train car. She hopes Joey will see her. Joey waves back, knowing he's off to fight in World War II.
See Also
Images for kids
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First edition cover
