A Long Way From Chicago
1929
What is Grandma like to Joey and Mary Alice?
What is one description that stands out to you? Explain why.
1930
What does Joey discover about Grandma in this chapter?
What does Joey mean when he says, “She'd returned law and order to the town she didn't care two hoots about.”?
Do you think the Cowgills have learned their lesson? Explain your answer,
1931
What historical details does Richard Peck use to show us the depression era? Find at least three and write a sentence about each one.
What character trait of Grandma Dowdel shows the most in this chapter? Explain your thinking.
What is one important thing Joey and Mary Alice learned from Grandma in this chapter? Explain your thinking.
1932
What are the signs of the Great Depression in this chapter? Describe at least two.
Why is Mrs. Weidenbach so anxious for Grandma to enter her pie in the county fair? Explain your thinking.
Reread the description of Grandma getting into the biplane, taxiing and getting out on pages 75 and 76. Copy three sentences from this description that stand out to you. Explain why you chose these three details.
How does Joey feel about flying? Use details from the story to support your answer.
1933
Choose a short passage (one-two sentences), an event, or description that stood out to you. Be prepared to share your reasons for choosing the passage, event, or description in a small group. We will follow the “Final Say” protocol to share.
1934
Why is this chapter called "Things With Wings"?
What details does Richard Peck use to show that Joey and Mary Alice are growing up?
Why do you think Grandma went to the trouble of saving Effie Wilcox's house? Support your answer with details from the text. You can also support your ideas with details from previous chapters.
1935
We often learn about a character's personality through their speech. Choose three examples of a particular character talking.
Tell which character you have chosen.
Give page, ¶ number and copy each passage. Write what these passages tell you about the character you have chosen.
Wrap-Up
Work on characterization with a partner.