Fair Weather [Paperback]

Richard Peck (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Thirteen-year-old Rosie Beckett has never strayed further from her family's farm than a horse can pull a cart. Then a letter from her Aunt Euterpe arrives, and everything changes. It's 1893, the year of the World's Columbian Exposition-the "wonder of the age"-a.k.a. the Chicago World's Fair. Aunt Euterpe is inviting the Becketts to come for a visit and go to the fair! Award-winning author Richard Peck's fresh, realistic, and fun-filled writing truly brings the World's Fair-and Rosie and her family-to life.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Granddad emits a strangled sound, 13-year-old Rosie pitches right off her chair, and young Buster just vibrates. What event catapults the Beckett family into such a state? The arrival of a letter from distant Chicago--and not just a letter, an invitation from Mama's elusive, wealthy sister Aunt Euterpe. She decides that it's high time for the children to see the world beyond "the four walls of a one-room country schoolhouse." And what better opportunity than the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, to honor the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America? Spanish nobility, President Cleveland, and Ferris wheels, oh my! Richard Peck, Newbery Medal-winning author of A Year Down Yonder, paints a charming portrait of a 19th-century farming family turned upside down by a visit to the big city. Narrator Rosie is friendly and funny as she describes the instant (if not entirely successful) citification of her family, encounters with Buffalo Bill himself, and her own delightfully eccentric Granddad who named his horse after Lillian Russell (which is just fine until they meet her at the fair). This wonderful, witty glimpse into 19th-century America--sprinkled with historical photographs--concludes with an insightful essay on the Exposition. Heartily recommended. (Ages 10 and older) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

After spinning two yarns about city kids having madcap adventures in the country (A Long Way From Chicago; A Year Down Yonder), Peck plays the flip side here, hilariously relating what happens when three farm children take on the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. The narrator, 13-year-old Rosie Beckett, isn't quite sure what inspired her mother to allow Rosie and her two siblings to visit rich Aunt Euterpe in a "place with a million or so people, most of them criminals," but she suspects it has something to do with her wanting to separate Rosie's older sister, Lottie, from her suitor, "a drifter and probably a grifter." In any case, Lottie, Rosie and their younger brother, Buster, accompanied by their flamboyant grandfather, nearly burst with excitement as they embark on the biggest adventure of their lives. Peck fluidly works in the children's sense of awe as they observe the skyscrapers and the smooth surface of city roads. Meanwhile, the Becketts' boisterous spirits prove to be a little overwhelming for their widowed aunt (who still dresses in black after being a widow for four years). During the first 48 hours in Chicago, the Beckett clan manages to run off the household help and embarrass their aunt in front of some of Chicago's most prominent ladies. Luckily, things take a turn for the better, and later experiences riding a Ferris wheel, seeing Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and discovering Granddad Fuller is old pals with Buffalo Bill himself are as thrilling for Aunt Euterpe as for her less sophisticated kin. 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. Ages 10-up.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (March 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439430348
• ISBN-13: 978-0439430340
• ASIN: 0142500348
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #374,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Peck has written over twenty novels, and in the process has become one of America's most highly respected writers for young adults. A versatile writer, he is beloved by middle graders as well as young adults for his mysteries and coming-of-age novels. He now lives in New York City. In addition to writing, he spends a great deal of time traveling around the country attending speaking engagements at conferences, schools and libraries...Mr. Peck has won a number of major awards for the body of his work, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award from School Library Journal, the National Council of Teachers of English/ALAN Award, and the 1991 Medallion from the University of Southern Mississippi. Virtually every publication and association in the field of children s literature has recommended his books, including Mystery Writers of America which twice gave him their Edgar Allan Poe Award. Dial Books for Young Readers is honored to welcome Richard Peck to its list with Lost in Cyberspace and its sequel The Great Interactive Dream Machine...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended by SPECTRUM Home & School Magazine, October 1, 2001

By 

KB Shaw "incwell.com" (Chandler, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fair Weather (Hardcover)

Peck is the award-winning writer of more than twenty-five novels for young readers. "Fair Weather" deserves to be on Oprah's adult list as it would have great appeal to her core audience and Peck's writing is delicious. By no means do I want to suggest that this is solely a female's book. It's a terrific story to read aloud with the whole family.

It is 1893. Thirteen-year-old Rosie Beckett lives on a small farm in southern Illinois with her parents, grandpa, older sister, and younger brother. It's a rugged life of early morning chores and long days of work. It's a life without electricity or anything frivolous or luxurious. The children only wear shoes for special occasions. The Becketts have no complaints-it is the life they know. But everything changes when their aunt sends them train tickets and invites them to Chicago for a week to visit the World's Columbian Exposition. The trip is a whirlwind adventure of fact and fiction you won't want to miss.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fair Weather, April 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Fair Weather (Paperback)

Fair Weather by award winning author Richard Peck is a book that fiction readers and historians alike can enjoy. The reader can travel along with Rosie Beckett and her family to the World's Columbian Exposition through words and the quaint photos from the Chicago Historical Society.
I enjoyed this book for two reasons. First, Rosie was able to make me laugh with a humorous insight into her family life during their uxexpected travels. It was a constant treat to hear the musings of Granddad and I found Aunt Euterpe to be a character worth remembering due to her reserved hysteria. The other reason I enjoyed this book is the only reason I think some young readers might lost interest in this book. I found the history of the World's Columbian Exposition to be interesting and the photos fascinating, but it is possible that some young readers may yearn for more Beckett humor than historical information. The inclusion of Buffalo Bill and other characters was charming and added to the authentic feel of the book. I would have enjoyed even more photos!
Fair Weather is a definite read to be enjoyed and reflected upon both for a humor and history teaching value.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fair Waether, January 18, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Fair Weather (Hardcover)

I liked this book,for one reason is because it was in the time period that my grandparents were growing up in. Also my grandparents told me alot about that time and the things they had to do and deal with. Like alot of people had a small farm so they could raise food for their family. Like the young boys were taut how to hunt and work for their food. Lastly how the mother's and sisters worked in the kitchen making butter and things from the milk they got from their cows And the eggs they got from their chickens.

I think the best part in the book was where the country folks got to come to see the fair. Also how fascinated they were about everything. Since they were so fascinated they did an excelent job of discribing the story.

The stry was very clear an understanding. Like when they went to the midway of the fair how they described it like all of the bad and good shows out at night. When they went to the buffalo bill show like they described it so well you could actually see the show your self. This story would probably be a conflict story with all of the conflict they have between the characters. As for instance the town the fair is held in there is alot of rich people.