I finished this book a week ago and thought I'd better finally get around to posting something about it. It was a really quick read. I didn't notice until I got home from the library that it is a sequel to another book, even though it says so right on the cover. (When you go to the library with three kids, the oldest age 4, you don't have much of an opportunity to really look at some things. The title I was looking for was there, I grabbed it, and off we went to the children's section.) You definitely don't need to have read the other book (titled A Long Way From Chicago) in order to understand what's going on, but I'll probably look for it when I go back to the library.
Anyway, to get right to the point, I liked A Year Down Yonder. It was funny! Really, it gave me the best laugh I've had from a book in a few months. I got a good laugh out of the valentines, but Maxine and the snake was hilarious! In fact, I kept snickering about it for a good five minutes after I put the book down!
Grandma is definitely a character, and my favorite in the book. Hard-working, enterprising, caring and understanding underneath her crusty exterior, and a jokester! (Not very many grandmothers would spike the punch at a chapter meeting of the DAR!) I was pleased to see her relationship with Mary Alice develop into one of mutual affection and respect.
It seems like so many of the books that are lauded by critics and given awards are depressing. So it was a pleasant surprise for me to find a critically-acclaimed story to be so amusing. I generally like the Newbery books, but this one was definitely deserving of the award.
Great pick, Sarah!
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3 comments:
I totally agree with Carly, I had to run in and get the book and didn't even notice it was a sequal. but oh well. It was a really good read. I found that I spent the whole time trying to really figure out Grandmas character...I just didn't quite understand her fully...I loved that she took all her money from the furs to buy train tickets for the kids to see each other.
I was so amused by this book. I found myself laughing out loud! I loved the snake bit, I can just picture this woman running nude down the street and then this little town talking about if for YEARS to come!
I didn't see the Valentines one coming, quite clever! I think I might do that for myself this year...
I really enjoyed this book,it was so good to just have a quick read that was thoroughly amusing. Can't wait to get my hands on The Shack next!
It was a really fun book. I was able to get the first book and read through that after and it helped me to understand Grandma's character more, she's my favorite! Her mind is so sharp and she's always 5 steps ahead of everyone else. I too loved the snake scene, so funny! And so cute how the book ends! Very cute, and like you've all mentioned, a happy book!
I was going to write my own post, but then I got lazy. I agree with everything that has been said. I also got my hands on "A Long Way from Chicago" and read that before I read "A Year Down Yonder". It was just as funny; very good stories. I love Grandma's character!
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