What is the theme of a year down yonder?
The central theme in the book is love, and it is exemplified most clearly in the character of Grandma Dowdel. She facilitates a union between the Works Progress Administration artist, Arnold Green, and Mary Alice’s teacher, Miss Butler, but her understanding of love goes far beyond its romantic aspect.
What is the setting of A Year Down Yonder?
Plot. The year is 1938, and the Great Depression has hit the Dowdel family hard. 15-year-old Mary Alice is sent downstate to live with Grandma Dowdel while her mother and father remain in Chicago.
What is the name of the town in a year down yonder?
The Great Depression is winding down, and fifteen-year-old Mary Alice Dowdel’s parents are in dire financial straits. That’s why she has no choice but to go and stay with her grandmother in small-town Illinois, a place that feels pretty far away from bustling Chicago.
Who is the narrator of A Year Down Yonder?
Mary Alice Dowdel
Mary Alice isn’t just the narrator of A Year Down Yonder, she’s the protagonist. The whole book is told from her perspective and—let’s face it—it’s all about her.
What is the plot of A Year Down Yonder?
This book tells the story of Mary Alice, age 15, who is not excited about spending a whole year living at her Grandma Dowdel’s house, but before long she becomes a willing accomplice in her outrageous grandma’s schemes to run the town her own way, do good anonymously, help friends, and avenge enemies.
CONTINUE READING BELOW
Why was Mary Alice’s radio so important to her?
One of Mary Alice’s cherished possessions is a radio. Mary Alice listens to the various musical and variety programs of the day on her radio to help her sleep and pass the time.
What is the setting of a long way from Chicago?
A Long Way from Chicago is set in rural Illinois during the Great Depression.
What does Grandma surprise Mary Alice with for Christmas?
While Mary Alice thinks Christmas is not exactly Grandma’s favorite holiday, Grandma surprises her by having her pick out a pair of new shoes to buy from the Sears catalogue.
Who wrote the newsy notes?
Newsy Farm Notes (later just Newsy Notes) was a column written by Islander Blythe Hurst under the pen name “Agricola.” It was published by The Guardian PEI newspaper (then known as The Guardian of the Gulf or The Charlottetown Guardian) in the mid-20th century.
Who is the author of newsy notes from our communities?
75-93) hint that Mary Alice is the one writing the “Newsy Notes from our Communities” quoted in the text?
Where is the first place Grandma took Mary Alice upon her arrival?
Can’t a girl even see her bedroom first? Grandma takes Mary Alice into the basement of the school and introduces her to a man who is cleaning up down there.
What is the genre of a long way from Chicago?
Can’t a girl even see her bedroom first? Grandma takes Mary Alice into the basement of the school and introduces her to a man who is cleaning up down there.
What are the themes in A Long Way from Chicago?
The main theme in the book is family. Joey and Mary Alice travel each summer to visit their Grandma. The reader can see how their relationship grows through the years. Family is always strong and can even be seen in the relationships between some of the minor characters.
What are some themes in A Long Way from Chicago?
A Long Way from Chicago has several themes:
- Growing up is obviously a main theme. …
- Family is another obvious theme. …
- Do the right thing is also a theme. …
- Friendship is a theme. …
- Small town life and community is also a theme that Joey and Mary Alice learn about with each visit.
What did Grandma use the fox pelt money for?
But the craziest (and most exciting) thing that happens is that Mary Alice’s brother Joey shows up as a Christmas surprise. Turns out Grandma sent him a plane ticket, bought with all the money she earned from her fox furs.
What part does Mary Alice play in the school Christmas program?
The heart of the Christmas program is the Nativity scene, and to everyone’s surprise, Mary Alice is chosen to play the part of the Virgin Mary. Carleen Lovejoy will play the leader of the heavenly angels, and she is intent on outshining all others.
What did Joey and Mary Alice find in the attic?
She tells him to go up to the attic and find things to sell at the rummage sale instead. Joey and Mary Alice look around and bring down some things to take to the rummage sale. They also find some ancient valentines that were probably sent to Grandma in the past—which is definitely a weird thought.
What act at the Centennial Celebration talent show tilted Joey’s world?
What act at the Centennial Celebration talent show “tilted Joey’s world”? Mary Alice and Ray Veech waltzing (dancing) at the talent show.
What lies did grandma tell Ernie?
Joey is appalled by her lies. After the kid leaves, Grandma tells them that Ernie is the youngest of the four Cowgill boys and that she had the rifle out when he came over as bait.
What year does A Long Way from Chicago take place?
Every summer from 1929-1935, in A Long Way from Chicago, Joey Dowdel and his younger sister, Mary Alice, are sent to spend a week with their grandmother in her small Illinois town located halfway between Chicago and St. Louis.
Is A Long Way from Chicago a true story?
A Long Way from Chicago is a “novel in stories” (or short story cycle) by Richard Peck.
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A Long Way from Chicago.
| First edition | |
|---|---|
| Author | Richard Peck |
| Subject | Coming of age |
| Genre | Children’s historical fiction |
| Published | September 1, 1998 Dial Press |
What is the plot of A Long Way from Chicago?
A Long Way from Chicago takes place during the Great Depression, and each chapter spans a different year when the kids travel via train to see their eccentric, huge Grandma Dowdel.
What is the main problem in a Long Way from Chicago?
The novel’s main conflict is centered around Mrs. Dowdel’s struggle to survive during the Great Depression.
Who is the protagonist in a Long Way from Chicago?
Although Joey Dowdel is the main character and narrator in A Long Way from Chicago, his sister,…
What kind of person is Grandma Dowdel?
She’s big and tough, and she won’t let anyone mess with her—or her grandkids. When she heads off to go trap fishing, she doesn’t ask the kids to carry her big sack of stinky cheese, even though she’s an old lady. She’s not afraid of hard work or incapable of carrying heavy things.