Status
Available
Local notes
PB Pec
Collections
Series
Genres
Publication
Scholastic Inc.
Description
Relates the surprising gifts bestowed on twelve-year-old Bob Barnhart and his family, who have recently moved to a small Illinois town in 1958, by their larger-than-life neighbor, Mrs. Dowdel.
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — 2010)
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2012)
Arkansas Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2011)
Blue Hen Book Award (Winner — Middle Readers — 2011)
West Virginia Children's Choice Book Award (Nominee — 2010-2011)
Language
Original publication date
2009-09-17
Physical description
5.11 inches
User reviews
LibraryThing member francescadefreitas
I listened to the audio book version, and the episodic format was perfect for nightly sessions. A preacher's family move to a small town and try and make their way. This was a little slow and quiet, like the town, but Eventually I was caught up in the tribulations of this family. And there were
I'd give this to fans of family stories, and it would make a very good read aloud to share with tweens.
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some beautiful turns of phrase, like little Ruth-Anne outside 'waiting for a friend to happen'. And when the 14-year old narrator drives the car to get a Christmas tree, I was laughing out loud.I'd give this to fans of family stories, and it would make a very good read aloud to share with tweens.
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LibraryThing member bell7
Bob Barnhart is a preacher's kid; he and his family have moved to a new town where his father is going to be a Methodist minister. No one in the town seems ready to lay out the welcome mat. In fact, they seem downright eccentric, especially their next door neighbor Mrs. Dowdel.
Readers who have
Readers who have
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already discovered A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder will enjoy revisiting beloved characters from a new point of view, and readers who have read neither will not lose out a whit. Richard Peck delivers yet another hilarious tale, memorable characters, and a young boy who learns quite a lot about the gifts humans can give to each other. Show Less
LibraryThing member MarthaL
A fast based, humorous, warm daring adventure story told by a sixth grader who is middle brother of two sisters, son of a the new in town Methodist minister. Colorful local characters. Peculiar elderly women contrast with really mean school bullies. Surprise wedding at the end.
LibraryThing member skstiles612
Richard Peck has done it again. Mrs. Dowdel is a formidable character that you just have to love. When the new preacher and his family move next door to her, she reaches out and helps them, even when they don’t think they need her help. Bobby’s first encounter with her is when a group of
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bullies kidnap him, strip him of his clothes, tie him up with fishing line and throw him in the lake. They then parade him back in then nude and string him up in Grandma Dowdel’s outhouse. She helps him out and acts as if it is nothing new to see a stark naked boy strung up there. She is rough on the outside yet loving and caring on the inside. She is not a church woman, yet she can quote her Bible. It is a story of neighbor helping neighbor, even when pride gets in the way. I will add this to my shelves because I think kids need to learn about this time period. If they can learn and have a great chuckle, then all the better. Show Less
LibraryThing member asomers
I love Grandma Dowdel! If she's in the book I know I'm going to love it.
LibraryThing member TigerLMS
Peck's distinctive storytelling style rings on every page of A Season of Gifts, the story of a young man who moves into a small midwest town so his dad can try to revive-- practically start-- a Methodist church. A preacher's kid, which of course almost begs for bullies to pick on him. As with his
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previous books, there are hilarious situations that anyone who's been a kid can relate to-- even if modern kids can't imagine what life was like 50+ years ago (1958). The cover and title suggest the book is about Christmastime. It is not, or at least the first two thirds isn't. But that's alright-- the season of gifts arrives soon enough and the story is a delight to read. Much like Jean Shepard's In God We Trust, which contained the elements of a story that became the holiday favorite A Christmas Story, Peck's A Season of Gifts is a funny, wonderful look at growing up in a time gone by. Show Less
LibraryThing member wortklauberlein
The sequel to the sequel of "A Long Way From Chicago" is itself a gift to fans of the earlier Richard Peck books about Mrs. Dowdel, the tough as black walnuts grandmother who metes out an original kind of justice to the citizens of a downstate Illinois town.
This third book is not as gut-busting
Readers who wonder what happened to Joey, the grandson who narrated the first book, will be somewhat disappointed. And those hoping for more books about Mrs. Dowdel may be saddened to find that many years have already passed since "A Year Down Yonder." It is now 1958, and how much longer can even this larger-than-life woman keep on going?
This third book is not as gut-busting
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hilarious as the original and is more overtly sentimental, but the separate chapters make fine read-aloud stories and the entire book is a warm blanket on a winter's night.Readers who wonder what happened to Joey, the grandson who narrated the first book, will be somewhat disappointed. And those hoping for more books about Mrs. Dowdel may be saddened to find that many years have already passed since "A Year Down Yonder." It is now 1958, and how much longer can even this larger-than-life woman keep on going?
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LibraryThing member pacollins
Grandma Dowdel, who helped Richard Peck win both a Newbery Honor and Mewbery Medal is back and this time she works her magic on her new neighbors. The Barnhart's have moved to this "podunk" town so dad can take over as the minister of the Methodist Church. Classic Peck-style down home humor.
LibraryThing member prkcs
Relates the surprising gifts bestowed on twelve-year-old Bob Barnhart and his family, who have recently moved to a small Illinois town in 1958, by their larger-than-life neighbor, Mrs. Dowdel.
LibraryThing member edspicer
Peck, Richard. (2009). A Season of Gifts. New York: Random House/Dial. 156 pp. ISBN 978-0-8037-3082-3 (Hardcover); $16.99.
Good news, readers, Grandma Dowdel is back! This time she is rescuing Bob, our protagonist who has moved next door, from her privy (and from bullies). Despite not being a
Good news, readers, Grandma Dowdel is back! This time she is rescuing Bob, our protagonist who has moved next door, from her privy (and from bullies). Despite not being a
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churchgoer, she builds a congregation for Bob’s preacher father. Despite not being neighborly, she models the true essence of the best neighbor. Despite not seeming to care about anyone other than herself, she demonstrates over and over again compassion in the truest spirit of the Christmas season. These, however, are NOT the reasons to read this book. The humor is still fresh and I think this is because we have a different non-family, narrative perspective. The characters of Bob and Elvis-loving-Phyllis are authentic. Peck, as he often does, has many levels in which readers of all ages may appreciate the book. Grandparents will see the details of the historical period and understand the play on words. Younger readers will appreciate the fierce independence and fearlessness of Grandma Dowdel. Most importantly, perhaps, the underlying sweetness and heartfelt goodness of Grandma Dowdel (who does not go to Church, but knows the Bible and perhaps understands the Church better than the pastor) is not force-fed to readers, which explains why Bob’s youngest sister, Ruth Ann, idolizes this witchy woman. The message is very clearly there, but it is wrapped carefully as if it were the last present to be opened on Christmas Day. Show Less
LibraryThing member NarratorLady
A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck (Listened to audio book)
After last week's somewhat disappointing Richard Peck book, I unexpectedly discovered this new story, published in 2009, and featuring the eccentric Mrs. Dowdel from A Year Down Yonder and A Long Way from Chicago. It's 1958 and twenty years
When a preacher and his family move into an Illinois town, hoping to restore the dilapidated Methodist church and form a congregation, their neighbor proves less than neighborly. Ancient, massive Mrs. Dowdel keeps to herself, shoots her food, grows and sells her vegetables and is busy from dawn to dusk. This fascinates shy 12 year old Bob who steers clear of her but his little sister Ruth Ann has found a hero to worship and begins to imitate their odd neighbor, even pushing invisible specs up her nose and wearing a matching apron as she helps her with her chores.
Soon Mrs. Dowdel, whom no one would ever cross, sets to fixing what's wrong at her neighbor's house: getting people to attend the preacher's new church, giving Bob a chance to build his confidence and even getting 14-year old Elvis-obsessed Phyllis out of the clutches of the local tough guy. The manner in which she performs these minor miracles is very funny and I found myself laughing out loud more than once.
At Christmas, when Bob mentions to his father that Mrs. Dowdel doesn't believe in having presents under the tree, his dad tells him that she gives gifts all year long and that they're not the kind you find in a box with a bow around them.
The narrator for all three of the Grandma Dowdel books is Ron McLarty, one of the best in the business. I read the print edition of the other two books years ago, but I might re-read them in the audio format just for the chance to hear McLarty's priceless rendition of the indomitable lady.
After last week's somewhat disappointing Richard Peck book, I unexpectedly discovered this new story, published in 2009, and featuring the eccentric Mrs. Dowdel from A Year Down Yonder and A Long Way from Chicago. It's 1958 and twenty years
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have passed since those books but Grandma Dowdel, in her nineties, is every bit as wily and hilarious.When a preacher and his family move into an Illinois town, hoping to restore the dilapidated Methodist church and form a congregation, their neighbor proves less than neighborly. Ancient, massive Mrs. Dowdel keeps to herself, shoots her food, grows and sells her vegetables and is busy from dawn to dusk. This fascinates shy 12 year old Bob who steers clear of her but his little sister Ruth Ann has found a hero to worship and begins to imitate their odd neighbor, even pushing invisible specs up her nose and wearing a matching apron as she helps her with her chores.
Soon Mrs. Dowdel, whom no one would ever cross, sets to fixing what's wrong at her neighbor's house: getting people to attend the preacher's new church, giving Bob a chance to build his confidence and even getting 14-year old Elvis-obsessed Phyllis out of the clutches of the local tough guy. The manner in which she performs these minor miracles is very funny and I found myself laughing out loud more than once.
At Christmas, when Bob mentions to his father that Mrs. Dowdel doesn't believe in having presents under the tree, his dad tells him that she gives gifts all year long and that they're not the kind you find in a box with a bow around them.
The narrator for all three of the Grandma Dowdel books is Ron McLarty, one of the best in the business. I read the print edition of the other two books years ago, but I might re-read them in the audio format just for the chance to hear McLarty's priceless rendition of the indomitable lady.
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LibraryThing member LisaLib
Episodic stories about life as a preacher's kid in tiny-town Illinois in the late 1950s. Many funny bits; heartwarming bits exist, but aren't heavy-handed. About grades 5 - 7. (for book talks, read p. 22 or 61?)
LibraryThing member Whisper1
What a delightful book! Winner of both a Newbery Medal for A Year Down Yonder '2001 and a Newbery Honor for A Long Way From Chicago, Peck is a masterful craftsmen.
Grandma Dowdel was a hilarious, gritty, salt of the earth, independent character in both of Peck's Newbery winners and she returns again
The setting is rural Illinois and the year is 1958. Young Bob Barhart and his family are new neighbors of Grandma Dowdel. Bob's father is the new Methodist minister.
There is nothing earth shattering about the book. The story line can be perceived as mundane. But, the beautiful, heartwarming way in which Peck writes each sentence is simply a joy to behold.
Sitting on the deck, feeling the gentle summer breeze while reading this soft, cozy, wonderful book was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Grandma Dowdel was a hilarious, gritty, salt of the earth, independent character in both of Peck's Newbery winners and she returns again
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in A Season of Gifts.The setting is rural Illinois and the year is 1958. Young Bob Barhart and his family are new neighbors of Grandma Dowdel. Bob's father is the new Methodist minister.
There is nothing earth shattering about the book. The story line can be perceived as mundane. But, the beautiful, heartwarming way in which Peck writes each sentence is simply a joy to behold.
Sitting on the deck, feeling the gentle summer breeze while reading this soft, cozy, wonderful book was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
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LibraryThing member Suzieqkc
I really like the idea of an older woman being the centerpiece in this story. Mrs. Dowdel gives 'gifts' that can't be measured by size or price to the young family who moves into her neighborhood. The family's children, young Ruth Ann, Bob and teenager Phyllis, all learn something from the older
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woman. It was such a cozy piece of fiction--almost seemed like the people really existed. Show Less
LibraryThing member baystateRA
Ron McLarty lends the perfect voice to this short novel about new kids in a small town, in the form of a brief memoir about adolescence in the 'fifties. I didn't realize this was the third one the author has written about this family and their "interesting" neighbor, Mrs. Dowdel. This is a good one
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to read in the weeks leading up to Christmas, as it spans the season from the beginning of the school year through Christmas. Show Less
LibraryThing member EdGoldberg
Grandma Dowdel is back to her old shenanigans in Richard Peck’s A Season of Gifts. This sequel to A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder takes place in 1958. Twelve year old Bob Barnhart and his family have moved to town from Terre Haute, right next door to Grandma Dowdel. In 1958 Elvis
Bob’s initiation into town society is a dunking in the local ‘crick’ and being hog tied in Grandma Dowdel’s privy. Of course, Grandma Dowdel finds Bob, naked as a jaybird, hanging in her privy, almost as if in a spider web.
Ruth-Ann, Bob’s ten-year-old sister is entranced by Grandma Dowdel and together they become “partners in crime”. She begins taking on Grandma’s traits, such as pushing her non-existent glasses up to the bridge of her nose. It’s Bob’s mother, however, who takes the cake, sitting in Grandma’s yard with a cocked shotgun on her lap.
Richard Peck has the ability to take you back to the good old days, even if they weren’t necessarily that good and you weren’t even born. His characters are unique in every way. The description of Grandma’s wide girth, her old wrinkled friends and her hijinx will have you smiling, if not laughing. It does seem, however, that Grandma has mellowed a bit from A Long Way from Chicago. But that’s as it should be. She’s umpteen hundred years old. ..or so she seems.
Having read all three books in the series, I’d start at the beginning and work through this latest book. They’re fast reads and you’ll walk away in a much better mood than you were in prior to reading the books. Just don’t trespass on Grandma Dowdel’s property. She’s still a good aim with that shotgun.
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Presley is drafted and Bob’s father, a Methodist preacher is assigned to a new church in a tiny “podunk” Illinois town.Bob’s initiation into town society is a dunking in the local ‘crick’ and being hog tied in Grandma Dowdel’s privy. Of course, Grandma Dowdel finds Bob, naked as a jaybird, hanging in her privy, almost as if in a spider web.
Ruth-Ann, Bob’s ten-year-old sister is entranced by Grandma Dowdel and together they become “partners in crime”. She begins taking on Grandma’s traits, such as pushing her non-existent glasses up to the bridge of her nose. It’s Bob’s mother, however, who takes the cake, sitting in Grandma’s yard with a cocked shotgun on her lap.
Richard Peck has the ability to take you back to the good old days, even if they weren’t necessarily that good and you weren’t even born. His characters are unique in every way. The description of Grandma’s wide girth, her old wrinkled friends and her hijinx will have you smiling, if not laughing. It does seem, however, that Grandma has mellowed a bit from A Long Way from Chicago. But that’s as it should be. She’s umpteen hundred years old. ..or so she seems.
Having read all three books in the series, I’d start at the beginning and work through this latest book. They’re fast reads and you’ll walk away in a much better mood than you were in prior to reading the books. Just don’t trespass on Grandma Dowdel’s property. She’s still a good aim with that shotgun.
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LibraryThing member jessn1017
The third book from Richard Peck describing life in a small town with Grandma Dowdel (the first being "A Long Way From Chicago", the second, "A Year Down Yonder", both award winners) is told from the point of view of Bob, a young boy who, along with his family, including minister dad, mom, older
While not quite up to par, in my opinion, to the first two books, I still greatly enjoyed this one. This one is set in 1958, approximately 15 years after we last visited. We get a few brief mentions of Grandma's family that we met in the first two books, which was nice. Familiar characters, or at least their kin, make appearances in this book. We get to see how the town has grown and changed over the years (and in some cases, not changed at all). And, we get more of Grandma's hijinks and peculiar brand of good-heartedness.
The only thing that keeps me from giving this book five stars like the first two is that it doesn't quite give the sense of innocence and realism the first two did. The first two felt like true stories that may actually have happened to the author/narrator as a young person and have simply garnered some embellishments over time. This book feels more like a story someone made up. A good story, but still, it doesn't quite get that ring of truth the first two did. In addition, in the first two stories we get to know Grandma Dowdel, to understand who she is, what she's like, and what her motivations are. We understand that underlying her actions is a sense of justice and integrity and generosity, and an appreciation for hard work. These things are revealed subtly and naturally through her actions and interactions in the first two books. In this latest book, these things felt a little more forced. Granted, these are really minor quibbles and come about only through comparison with the other two books, and otherwise, it is still a lovely book.
A couple of notes about this book: 1) I don't recommend reading it as a stand alone. While it could, technically, be read on its own, you get to know Grandma Dowdel and her actions and motivations much better through the first two books, which allow you to come into this book understanding what she's like. Without that background, she may just come across as a loony old eccentric for most of this story. 2) Although it's called "A Season of Gifts", and the cover seems very Christmas-y, the book is not strictly a Christmas story, and could easly be read at any time of year. It starts in August, and continues on throughout the fall and into Christmas towards the end. So, while it certainly does make a lovely story to read around the holidays, it is really suitable for any time of year.
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sister Phyllis, and younger sister Ruth Ann, has moved in next door to Mrs. Dowdel.While not quite up to par, in my opinion, to the first two books, I still greatly enjoyed this one. This one is set in 1958, approximately 15 years after we last visited. We get a few brief mentions of Grandma's family that we met in the first two books, which was nice. Familiar characters, or at least their kin, make appearances in this book. We get to see how the town has grown and changed over the years (and in some cases, not changed at all). And, we get more of Grandma's hijinks and peculiar brand of good-heartedness.
The only thing that keeps me from giving this book five stars like the first two is that it doesn't quite give the sense of innocence and realism the first two did. The first two felt like true stories that may actually have happened to the author/narrator as a young person and have simply garnered some embellishments over time. This book feels more like a story someone made up. A good story, but still, it doesn't quite get that ring of truth the first two did. In addition, in the first two stories we get to know Grandma Dowdel, to understand who she is, what she's like, and what her motivations are. We understand that underlying her actions is a sense of justice and integrity and generosity, and an appreciation for hard work. These things are revealed subtly and naturally through her actions and interactions in the first two books. In this latest book, these things felt a little more forced. Granted, these are really minor quibbles and come about only through comparison with the other two books, and otherwise, it is still a lovely book.
A couple of notes about this book: 1) I don't recommend reading it as a stand alone. While it could, technically, be read on its own, you get to know Grandma Dowdel and her actions and motivations much better through the first two books, which allow you to come into this book understanding what she's like. Without that background, she may just come across as a loony old eccentric for most of this story. 2) Although it's called "A Season of Gifts", and the cover seems very Christmas-y, the book is not strictly a Christmas story, and could easly be read at any time of year. It starts in August, and continues on throughout the fall and into Christmas towards the end. So, while it certainly does make a lovely story to read around the holidays, it is really suitable for any time of year.
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LibraryThing member satyridae
My reaction to this, hard on the heels of the two excellent predecessors is a loud and incredulous, "What the HELL?"
It's well-written, technically. But it's soulless and awful and parts of it made my skin crawl. The Grandma Dowdel in this book is not even shirt-tail cousins with the Grandma Dowdel
Bah, humbug.
It's well-written, technically. But it's soulless and awful and parts of it made my skin crawl. The Grandma Dowdel in this book is not even shirt-tail cousins with the Grandma Dowdel
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in the first two. And the stereotypes! Goodness me, the stereotypes. Bah, humbug.
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LibraryThing member suefitz1
Title: A Season Of Gifts
Author: Richard Peck
Genre: Holiday (Christmas), Young Adult
Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: 208 (Audio) – Library Book
Published: 2009
Back Cover: One of the most adored children’s book characters of all time is the sccentric, forceful, bighearted Grandma Dowdel, star of the
It is now 1958, and a new family has moved in next door to Mrs. Dowdel – a family in desperate need of her help (weather they realize it or not). There’s twelve-year-old Bob, shy on courage in a town full of bullies; his Elvis-obsessed older sister, Phyllis; Bob’s little sister, Ruth Ann, ready and waiting for a larger-than-life role model; and even Bob’s two parents, the young minister and his wife, who are amazed to discover that the last house in town might also be the most vital. As Christmas rolls, around, the whole family will realize that they’ve found a true home, and a neighbor with remarkable gifts to share
Mine: I have to admit I hadn’t heard of the other books, but will definitely be trying to check them out at the library.
What a delightful story of the time. The new minister and his family move next door the very eccentric Mrs. Dowdel. The stranger soon become the families protector in so many ways. Phyllis get in trouble with the town’s bad boy who is much older. Bob gets dunked and tied up by the town pack of bullies and Ruth Ann is just find her place.
The comic relief helps the story move along and make for cute antedotes throughout. Stealing from the pumpkin patch, cutting the trees down from someone’s backyard and the best comes from the “Pickle” the green family car.
The gifts that come from Mrs. Dowdel are not obvious, but are the ones that are needed the most – the courage to fight back, the idea that a person can make a difference and that of a person that is a good neighbor.
Author: Richard Peck
Genre: Holiday (Christmas), Young Adult
Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: 208 (Audio) – Library Book
Published: 2009
Back Cover: One of the most adored children’s book characters of all time is the sccentric, forceful, bighearted Grandma Dowdel, star of the
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Newbery Medal – winning A Year Down Yonder and Newbery Honor-winning A Long Way from Chicago. And it turns out that her story isn’t over – not even close.It is now 1958, and a new family has moved in next door to Mrs. Dowdel – a family in desperate need of her help (weather they realize it or not). There’s twelve-year-old Bob, shy on courage in a town full of bullies; his Elvis-obsessed older sister, Phyllis; Bob’s little sister, Ruth Ann, ready and waiting for a larger-than-life role model; and even Bob’s two parents, the young minister and his wife, who are amazed to discover that the last house in town might also be the most vital. As Christmas rolls, around, the whole family will realize that they’ve found a true home, and a neighbor with remarkable gifts to share
Mine: I have to admit I hadn’t heard of the other books, but will definitely be trying to check them out at the library.
What a delightful story of the time. The new minister and his family move next door the very eccentric Mrs. Dowdel. The stranger soon become the families protector in so many ways. Phyllis get in trouble with the town’s bad boy who is much older. Bob gets dunked and tied up by the town pack of bullies and Ruth Ann is just find her place.
The comic relief helps the story move along and make for cute antedotes throughout. Stealing from the pumpkin patch, cutting the trees down from someone’s backyard and the best comes from the “Pickle” the green family car.
The gifts that come from Mrs. Dowdel are not obvious, but are the ones that are needed the most – the courage to fight back, the idea that a person can make a difference and that of a person that is a good neighbor.
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LibraryThing member sriemann
While rereading the _Year Down Yonder_ and _Long Way from Chicago_, I discovered that Peck wrote a third book about Grandma Dowdel and her eccentric ways and means. I was really excited that there was NEW Dowdel material, and it didn't disappoint.
LibraryThing member librarian1204
Very nice to catch up with Grandma Dowdel again. I loved the previous books and this one is equally as good.
LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
Narrated by Ron McLarty. The audio version is funny and entertaining, with plenty of opportunity for McLarty to play up the quirky elder women characters such as, and especially, Mrs. Dowdel. I listened to it twice in a row!
Bob's father begins a Methodist church in a small Illinois town and the
Bob's father begins a Methodist church in a small Illinois town and the
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family moves next door to old Mrs. Dowdel. Young Bob narrates an eventful autumn of Halloween, homecoming, Thanksgiving and Christmas, with the no-nonsense, straight-shooting Mrs. Dowdel at the center of much of the activity. Show Less
LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq
I was very disappointed with this latest book in the Grandma Dowdel series.
At first I wondered why it hadn't been nominated for the Newbery Award...but truth be told the stories were mediocre and sadly the humor and spark just wasn't there.
The stories revolve around Mrs. Dowdel and her new next
There are 17 stories total and an epilogue. The stories are divided into 3 chapters: The Last House in Town, The Fall of the Year, and E'r the Winter Storms Begin....and they just do not stand up to the two previous books.
At first I wondered why it hadn't been nominated for the Newbery Award...but truth be told the stories were mediocre and sadly the humor and spark just wasn't there.
The stories revolve around Mrs. Dowdel and her new next
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door neighbors the Barnharts. The father is the new Minister at the dilapidated Methodist Church, the mother is a mild mannered woman and there are 3 children: Phyllis the oldest 14 yrs old and in love with Elvis and the baddest boy in town, Bob the middle child & narrator, and Ruth Ann the baby who has taken up the company & mannerisms of Mrs. Dowdel.There are 17 stories total and an epilogue. The stories are divided into 3 chapters: The Last House in Town, The Fall of the Year, and E'r the Winter Storms Begin....and they just do not stand up to the two previous books.
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LibraryThing member Maydacat
This book is part of a series, though it deviates some from the other books. Intended for kids, it can be enjoyed by adults. There are some darker parts to it, but there is a lot of humor, too. A new family moves in next to Mrs. Dowdel, a minister and his family. The teenage daughter is headed down
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the wrong path, her younger brother is always getting into scrapes that are not his fault, and the younger girl needs a friend. Can Mrs Dowdel fix all their problems? She does all that and more. An enjoyable Christmas tale. Show Less
LibraryThing member amandabock
Why do I do this to myself? It's like a scab you can't help picking at. I know Peck is going to annoy the hell out of me, yet I read the damn books anyway. To be fair, there is a lot less soapboxing than in most of his other recent books. My main problem with this one is that no person born this
Ugh. Really. No. More. Peck. I'm done.
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side of 1970 is going to get any of the references. And the narrator is feature-less. He has no personality or defining characteristics. And that Kickapoo princess is Problematic.Ugh. Really. No. More. Peck. I'm done.
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