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A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck

Summary

When her father loses his job, Mary Alice's family has to give up their apartment in Chicago. They move into a light housekeeping room that will only fit the two of them. The Civilian Conservation Corps takes on her older brother Joey so Mary Alice is on her own. "I had to go down to live with Grandma Dowdel, till we could get on our feet as a family again. It meant I'd have to leave my school. I'd have to enroll in the hick-town school where Grandma lived. Me, a city girl, in a town that didn't even have a picture show." Grandma is a woman well known for shaking up the local populace. And all Mary Alice can know for certain is this: When trying to predict how life with Grandma might turn out . . . better not even try.

Discussion questions

Spoiler alert! Some questions give away key parts of the plot!

  1. When Mary Alice first arrives by train and describes Grandma Dowdel she says, "She drew nearer till she blotted out the day." In what ways is Grandma Dowdel larger than life?
  2. How is Mary Alice's life in the country different from what you think her life in the city was like?
  3. Grandma Dowdel is often gruff. Find some of the scenes in the book where she shows her love through actions instead of words.
  4. Why do you think Grandma takes Mary Alice to meet the Abernathy's?
  5. How does Mary Alice change over the course of the year?
  6. Is Mrs. Wilcox Grandma's best friend? Why or why not?
  7. How does Grandma feel about Bootsie when the cat and Mary Alice first arrives? How do her feelings change?
  8. Why won't Grandma let Mary Alice stay at the end of the year?
  9. Were you surprised to see that Mary Alice married Royce at the end of the book?
  10. What are some of the things about Grandma that Mary Alice says she'll carry with her through life?

Snacks: Create your own tea like the DAR tea Grandma hosts.

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