A Long Way from Chicago

by Richard Peck

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

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Joey and Mary Alice are being shipped off to their grandmother's house.

Every year during summer break, Joey and his little sister Mary Alice are packed off and set on a train to go visit their grandmother.  She lives in a small town a good ways off from the wild Chicago life that the kids are used to, and so it takes them a little while to adjust.  Every year, though, is a new adventure.

From dead bodies to the oldest living settler, every summer is filled with surprises for the kids, who never quite know what their grandmother is up to!

This book was a delight.

The writing style of A Long Way From Chicago reminds me of Anne of Green Gables.  It is sweet, sincere, and shocking at times.  The narrator, Ron McLarty, did an incredible job fluctuation between different characters and bringing them all to life.  I love the snapshots into Joey's life.  Peck presents the different aspects of this book in such as way that it's like sitting with someone over dinner and listening to them reminisce about the good old days.  It's charming.

And yet, Peck also bring's Grandma's town to life.  You really get a sense of the old houses and society circles and the backwoods and the rumbling train that cuts the town in half.  That's not always present in this type of book, but it makes the stories much more animated and interesting.

Grandma is a hoot.

You can't help but love the rascally old woman.  When you're first introduced to Grandma, she's correcting some gossip the kids heard in town.  A minute later, she's talking to a reporter and giving a completely different story!  Grandma's trickery is a consistent theme throughout the book.  She's the type of lady who knows what she wants and goes out to get it.  And as a reader, you're on the edge of your seat wondering what she's up to now.

For all her lying and cheating, Grandma is a good-hearted soul and does things for the right reasons.  The last story in the book pulled at my heartstrings.  That's all I'm going to say.

This is an endearing read for all ages.

I don't care if you're 6 or 60 - A Long Way From Chicago is a quick read with great characters and a wonderful spin of tales.  Especially for those who are enchanted by the past, this is a rewarding read.  I recommend it and it's definitely one I'm glad I experienced!