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Title details for A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck - Available

A Season of Gifts

#3 in series

by Richard Peck
Ron McLarty
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
One of the most adored children’s book characters of all time is the eccentric, forceful, bighearted Grandma Dowdel, star of the 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 (whether 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, who just might be on the verge of spinning out of control; 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.

  • Creators

  • Series

    Grandma Dowdel

  • Publisher

  • Awards

  • Release date

    September 22, 2009

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780739385494
      • File size: 110508 KB
      • Duration: 03:50:13

  • Languages

    • English

  • Levels

    • ATOS Level: 4.6
    • Lexile® Measure: 690
    • Interest Level: 4-8(MG)
    • Text Difficulty: 3

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Grandma Dowdel is back! She's up to her old tricks of bestowing her "gifts" upon the unsuspecting, this time her new neighbors, a young minister and his family. Peck's story portrays life in a small American town in 1958. Ron McLarty's pacing, cadence, and tone fit the setting and characters perfectly. McLarty saves the best for Grandma Dowdel. His rich, gravelly, no-nonsense vocalization carries her all-knowing sagacity and wry sense of humor. Once again, we fear not for our young protagonist or his family because Grandma Dowdel is there. McLarty knows we are relying on Grandma Dowdel to work her quiet magic, and his delivery reassures us that she will. Peck has treated readers to another literary gift, and McLarty reads it with aplomb. J.K.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from July 13, 2009
      The type of down-home humor and vibrant characterizations Peck fans have come to adore re-emerge in full as Peck resurrects Mrs. Dowdel, the irrepressible, self-sufficient grandmother featured in A Year Down Yonder
      and A Long Way from Chicago
      . Set in 1958, his new novel is told from the point of view of 12-year-old Bob Barnhart, Mrs. Dowdel's new neighbor, who is distraught about having to move from Terre Haute to a “podunk” town, where his Methodist minister father has been called to shepherd a meager sprinkling of parishioners. Mrs. Dowdel is a source of entertainment, and some fear, for Bob and his sisters (“she could be amazingly light on her big pins. We'd already seen her take a broom and swat a Fuller Brush man off her porch”). But more important, she proves useful in outsmarting bullies and attracting new members to Mr. Barnhart's fold. Not all of Grandma Dowdel's gifts to the Barnharts (and in some cases the entire community) are as tangible as the windows she donates to the church, but her actions exude as much warmth and wisdom as they do hilarity. Ages 10–up.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • ATOS Level:4.6
  • Lexile® Measure:690
  • Interest Level:4-8(MG)
  • Text Difficulty:3

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