The adventures of Grandma Dowdel continue in Richard Peck’s sequel to A Long Way from Chicago,  A Year Down Yonder. The novel’s focus shifts from Joey in the first book, to Mary Alice, now 15, in the second. A recession hangs over the country. Mom and Dad must downsize to one small room and Mary Alice is sent to live with Grandma Dowdel. Join Grandma and Mary Alice through a new school year of holidays, tornadoes, and Royce McNabb. Grandma Dowdel’s unwavering sense of justice and an eye for the poor and needy shine through her hair-brained antics. What’s your favorite Grandma Dowdel story? Does your grandma have one to top it?