A Year Down Yonder
2001 Newbery Winner 
Author: Richard Peck
Have students keep reading journals as they read the story (or it is read 
to them). These are the possibilities:

1)   Make a list of at least 20 things making -up Grandma's character. 
Include such things as what nice things she does (examples: bought Mary Alice 
shoes); what mean things she does; what she looks like; things people say 
about her; things she says about others.
(Note: from this, depending on your grade level taught, you could have a 
debate as to whether Grandma is mean or nice; you could also have them write
a characterization of her including 10 of these traits).

2)   Name at least 5 real people found in the story (examples: Kate Smith; 
Admiral Byrd). Have the student find out more information on these real 
folks. Have them do a mini-report. Also there were several references on 
such things as the CCC; WPA; Depression, etc. that students could report 
on or do a collage on or poster.

3)   Keep a list of similes/metaphors found in the book (Example: cool as 
a cucumber; like a woodpecker with palsy). Several things could then be done 
with the list. Collect some from the class members. Have them use the sayings 
in a story or list how many things could be "cool as a cucumber'). 

4)   A question I had as I was reading the book was: "Were there sneakers 
(tennis shoes?) in those days?" If so, did they call them sneakers? My mother 
grew-up in that time frame and she never mentioned it. There are also several 
other things I questioned (Lane Bryant; paper plates; switchblades; paper 
doilies). Have the students check some of these questions out on the Internet 
or in the library.

5)   As per above, some research would be applicable as to several of these 
items: Philco radio; tinfoil; Coty powder. The Fabulous Century series 
(Time-Life) would be great to see if any of the dozens of "times" items are 
in those books and to add maybe 10 more items that could have been put 
into the book.

6)   Map out Mary Alice's trek from Chicago to Grandma's on a map of 
Illinois. You could check the mileage; how would Mary Alice have come to 
where you live in that time frame? Now?

7)   In 70 years, if you were to write a book about "now", what would you 
include in it and why. Write the first chapter.

8)   Peck has included many sayings, such as "We finish only to begin" and 
"I'd faint and fall over dead with surprise." Students could record other 
sayings from the book in their reading journal and ask parents, grandparents, 
older neighbors if they remember sayings from their childhood.

9)   The food Peck mentioned in the novel impressed me (scrapple; cherry tarts; 
muffins; mashed turnips). The students could keep a journal of everything they 
ate that week; anything their grandma' fixes that no one else does; or 
expand this across the curriculum and have the students keep track of calories
eaten; food groups, etc.


10)     After reading the Prologue alone, I came up with the idea of an 
Essay on what the students think is in "Grandma's" spooky and stuffy attic? 
Or, a paragraph (or longer if you desire) on a time the student has been 
in a spooky place (attic; basement; at a party, etc.). 

11)     Clothes - it'd be great to be able to find an old catalogue from 
that timeframe and have the kids find pictures of chestwaders; argyle sweater; 
corduroy pants; cardigan; Cuban-heeled shoes. 

12)Think of anything else to do with the book, PLEASE, oh, please let me know. 
Karen Zach zacho@wico.net