This was a satisfying conclusion to Richard Peck's trilogy "A Long Way From Chicago". Joey and Mary Alice have grown up and moved on, leaving Grandma Dowdell alone in her small town. The story is told from the point of view of Bob, a twelve year old preacher's kid that is new in town. We follow Bob and his family from just before school starts in 1958 until Christmas of that same year. This book is very good and well-written. Although it is aimed at middle schoolers, this book is suitable for all ages. This book is a sequel to Peck's other two in this series, A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder. Grandma Dowdel is the same, perhaps a bit gentler in her advanced years, but this time, the story is told from the perspective of a Preacher's son that moves in next door. You do not have to have read the previous two books, except that it gives you a better sense of the Grandma character, who is so larger than life it is hard to wrap up a description on a few words. Being from Central Illinois where these stories take place makes them that more interesting to me. I enjoyed this book as much, if not more than the first two.
What do You think about A Season Of Gifts (2009)?
This was a good series. I wouldn't call it juvenile lit, more early teens.
—lasouza
Wonderful series, I'm sad this is the final story of Grandma Dowdel.
—winterm1
