A Long Way From Chicago

Title: A Long Way From Chicago 

Author: Richard Peck
# of Pages: 148 pages 

Published by: Puffin Books
Age Range: 8-12 years
Grade Level: 3-7 years

This story takes place during the years 1929-1942, and told in eight episodes. This book is funny and fresh and tells the story of a boy and his sister's annual summer trips to rural Illinois to visit their grandma. Grandma Dowdel is larger than life, and astounds her grandchildren with her nonconformist behavior and her take-charge attitude. Joey's sister, Mary Alice and him go to this tired old Illinois town for the summer to meet with their grandma. Some examples of the summer events include seeing their first corpse, grandma fights back with a bottle of mice and a dead mouse after the Cowgill boys terrorize the town, and they help their grandma trespass and catch the sherif in his underwear, and this is only one day! Joe and his sister make several summer trips to visit their grandma and they turn into great adventures. 

The language used throughout the book displays the time period. Readers feel immersed in the time by the actions of Joey and his sister and how the towns are run and the actions of others. The facts are true and historically accurate. This book was very enjoyable to read and was a great plot line. It teaches many lessons and is relatable to students who take many trips to their grandparent's house. 

Classroom Activities and Lesson Ideas: 

• Discussion Questions and Subject Integration Activities 
• Webquest, Lessons, and Planning tools 
• Teach about the 1920's-1940's time period 
• Geography lesson on Chicago and Illinois and compare/contrast to your own home town

Here's a great book review: