42 pages • 1 hour read
Richard PeckA Long Way from Chicago
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1998A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck, written in 1998, is a series of short stories about siblings Joey and Mary Alice who spend six summers (1929-1935) with their grandmother in a small town. Over these summers, they experience various adventures, learning important life lessons about family, respect, and appreciating different lifestyles and wisdom.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Richard Peck's A Long Way from Chicago is praised for its vibrant storytelling and nostalgic depiction of rural America, with memorable characters and humor. However, some critics find the episodic structure less cohesive. Overall, it's celebrated as a charming children's novel with both heart and wit.
Who Should Read A Long Way from Chicago?
Readers who enjoy A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck are typically drawn to nostalgic, humorous, and heartwarming tales of childhood and family. Fans of Holes by Louis Sachar or Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo will appreciate the vivid characters and engaging storytelling.
RecommendedReading Age
8-12yearsLexile Level
750LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Children's Literature
Great Depression
Relationships: Grandparents
Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
History: World