Summary

Times are hard in Chicago in 1937, and 15-year-old Mary Alice has to spend the school year with her Grandmother in downstate Illinois. Each season brings new adventure, new insight about the people around her, and, oh yes, laughs. A Year Down Yonder is a sequel to A Long Way From Chicago in which brother Joey is the main character, so boys may prefer to begin with that book.

Activities

Prereading Activity:
Brainstorm (PREP) about the depression.
Read more information about the depression.
Read some stories about the 30s.
Find out what clothing styles were in the 30s for men, women, and children.
Read information about President Roosevelt.
Write a poem or song about the depression.

Prologue

• Write a diary entry about your feelings of having to leave Chicago to go live with Grandma, and begin in a new school.
• What is the difference between a recession and a depression?

Rich Chicago Girl

• Write a character sketch of Grandma.
• In groups, role play another solution for getting out of paying Mildred the dollar.
• Who was Pretty boy Floyd?

Vittles and Vengence

• Discuss simile and metaphor. Have students find two examples of each in this chapter. Then, in groups or with a partner, write one of each. Put them on the board.
• Write a story about a memorable Halloween of your own.

A Minute in the Morning

• Read about Amelia Earhart.
• Listen to a recording of Kate Smith—if possible, "When the Moon Comes over the Mountain, Every Beam Brings a Dream, Dear, of You."
• Learn more about WWI.
• Learn more about Armistice Day. What could your school do to celebrate and remember?

Away in a Manger

• Learn information about the fur market today. What are furs worth?
• Learn about the early fur trappers of the 17 – 1800s.
• Refer back to your character sketch of Grandma. Add to it and delete things that you no longer think pertain.

Heart and Flour

• Make your own family tree.
• Who was St. Valentine?
• Find further information on the DAR.

A Dangerous Man

• Find out more information about snakes.
• Learn about some of the French artists. Study their paintings—especially the impressionist paintings.

Gone with the Wind

• Learn more about tornadoes.
• Create a "Tornado Safety" poster.
• Think of ways (no cost/inexpensive) to let your best friend know s/he is special to you.
• What decision would you have made if you were Mary Alice about staying with Grandmother or going back to Chicago? Why?

Ever After

• How did Grandma impact Mary Alice’s life?
• Write about the person in your life who has positively impacted you the most.

Post Reading Activity
Place yourself into this book as an additional character. Rewrite one of the chapters from your point of view, making appropriate changes to the addition you make.

About the Author

• Carol Hurst Featured Author Richard Peck

• Random House Author Spotlight

Awards

• Newbery Medal, 2001

• Charlie May Simon Children’s Books Award Honor Book 2002-2003 (Arkansas)

More for the Teacher

Links to other online guides for A Year Down Yonder.

Assessment

A Year Down Yonder
Accelerated Reader: Quiz #44671 EN; Book Level 4.5; Points= 4.0
Reading Counts: Level 4.9; Points= 9.0
Lexile Level 610
word count= 29415