Synopses & Reviews
From Newbery Medal-winning author Richard Peck comes a dazzling slice of American History, set during the Chicago Worlds Fair of 1893.
In his celebrated, Newbery-winning novels A Year Down Yonder and A Long Way from Chicago, Richard Peck carried us happily back to the Midwest of the 1930s. Now the master of historical fiction transports us to the1890s, to the Chicago World's Fair and its incredible mix of personalities and new inventions that gave glimpses of the future. Here is a tour de force that combines the real people of the time with an enormously engaging new fictional family, spinning them all into a whirlwind of humor, misadventure, and charms beyond measure.
On the brink of adulthood (not to mention a whole new century), Rosie makes her first trip to the big city, along with her wide-eyed siblings and their rascally old granddad. There, amidst the breathtaking Ferris wheel and other wonders of the fair, Rosie discovers the world and herself, while coming face-to-face with some of the era's most famous peopleincluding showgirl Lillian Russell and Colonel William F. Cody (a.k.a. Buffalo Bill).
Peck's unforgettable characters, cunning dialogue and fast-paced action will keep readers of all ages in stitches as he captures a colorful chapter in American history.”Publishers Weekly
An engaging historical novel that will please a wider audience than the target age group.”Booklist (starred review)
This marvelously funny story set in 1893[
] paints an accurate picture of a small Illinois farm and of the first World's Fair.”School Library Journal
Synopsis
Two world-renowned children's book creators, Richard Peck and Don Freeman, collaborated on this picture book--the evocative tale of a boy who takes on the monster lurking in his grandma's home. This was one of Don Freeman's last books--after Corduroy, after Dandelion, after he'd won a Caldecott Honor for Fly High Fly Low. It is novelist Richard Peck's only picture book. He wrote Monster Night about twenty-five years before he won a Newbery Honor for A Long Way from Chicago, before he won the Newbery Medal for A Year Down Yonder. Now their beguiling collaboration is once again available, and includes a new introduction, full of warmth and reminiscence, by Richard Peck. It's a classic treat--a deliciously spooky journey through darkness into the comforting, clear light of day.
Synopsis
In his celebrated novels
A Year Down Yonder and
A Long Way from Chicago, Richard Peck carried us happily back to the Midwest of the 1930's. Now he's ready to transport us all the way to 1893, to the Chicago World's Fair and its breathtaking mix of personalities and glimpses of the future. Here is a tour de force that combines the real people of the time with an enormously engaging new fictional family, spinning them all into a whirlwind of humor, misadventure, and charms beyond measure.
On the brink of adulthood (not to mention a whole new century), Rosie makes her first trip to the big city, along with her wide-eyed siblings and their rascally old granddad. There, amidst the wonders of the fair, Rosie discovers the world and herself, while also coming face-to-face with some of the era's most famous people-including showgirl Lillian Russell and Colonel William F. Cody (a.k.a. Buffalo Bill).
Richard Peck, the author of thirty novels, has received numerous awards, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award for his distinguished body of work.
About the Author
Richard Peck has written more than thirty novels, and in the process has become one of the countrys most highly respected writers for children. In fact
The Washington Post called him Americas best living author for young adults.” A versatile writer, he is beloved by middle-graders as well as young adults for his historical and contemporary comedies and coming-of-age novels. He lives in New York City, and spends a great deal of time traveling around the country to speaking engagements at conferences, schools, and libraries.
Mr. Peck is the first childrens book author to have received a National Humanities Medal. He is a Newbery Medal winner (for A Year Down Yonder), a Newbery Honor winner (for A Long Way from Chicago), a two-time National Book Award finalist, and a two-time Edgar Award winner. In addition, he has won a number of major honors for the body of his work, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award, the ALAN Award, and the Medallion from the University of Southern Mississippi.