Customer Reviews

Fair Weather

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

In the same style and spirit of "A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO" AND "A YEAR DOWN UNDER", Peck's "FAIR WEATHER" begins slowly but bursts into bloom when the family finally arrives in Chicago.
The protagonist of Gramma in the first 2 books is transformed into a Grandpa; a Civil War veteran and former sidekick of William "Bill" Cody. His character is less dynamic but equally eccentric and appealing.
The story unfolds around a rural family's travel and visitation of the Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893; for me, an obscure event that Peck deftly manages to bring back to life and not only glamorize but impress as to its significance. There the reader meets Bill Cody, notorious songstress Lillian Russel, the influence of Westinhouse, prominent, wealthy Chicagoans of the period, and an amazing, gargantuan ferris wheel whose cars held over 30 people. Historical photographs and a fine afterward compliment the time, setting, and artifacts. ...bedazzling!

This is a positive, old-fashioned - in a good way - read for children with some opportunites for insightful Q & A. I have a personal low tolerance for poorly written (e.g. grammatically) stories for children of which there seem to be many these days, and this is a true exception - a very well written story with some relevant historical context. It was on the "summer read" list provided through our school district, so our educators also feel that it is worthwhile.

When Buster and Rosie go with Grandad to visit Aunt Eurtepe in Chicago they know they are going to see a whole new world. After all, the World's fair is there, and Aunt Eurtepe is determined to expose her sister's childern to some culture. After all, she is the widow of a wealthy man, and on the fringes of society. The trip to Chicago is excitement enough, and the new world Buster and Rosie see is more than they could ever imagine. Aunt Eurtepe is not what they expected, she seems to be virtually a prisioner to her mourning and social aspirations, not to mention her ill tempered and incompetent house staff. Buster and Rosie set about to help out and in the process turn things upside down. And the fair, the Fair! There are acres and acres of food and exhibits and games of chance and things not to be inagined. Grandpa even lets them catch a glimpse of the notorious Little Egypt and her dance of the seven veils. For all their good intentions, things just seem to get mixed up, and it looks as if Buster and Rosie will have to return to the farm a disgrace. But Grandpa and his dog ,and a chance encounter with Buffalo Bill Cody may change things forever. A wonderful story that captures the flavor of the time and combines real facts with a wonderful family storyline. A book to read over and over again.

Richard Peck's "Fair Weather" is a fun read. Deftly written, it is the charming story of thirteen-year old Rosie, her
older sister and younger brother and obnoxious granddad's adventure from the farm in Christian County to the amazing World's Columbian Exposition - "the wonder of the age" - in Chicago. They stay in the mansion home of their stuffy, delicate Aunt Euterpe. They embarrass Aunty no end, in running off her staff, in front of society ladies from whom she desperately covets approval, and at the fair. But, they all seem a little less worse for the wear when it's over and the reader is left smiling.

This is a great book. It's all abut the World's Columbian Exposition. People of all ages would love it. The reader can have a few laughs while learning too. This book also has a lot of information. There are also a few pictures to show what the fair looked like and how big it was. Rosie Beckett ,the main character, and her family also went into the famous Ferris Wheel. This book dates back over 100 years ago.

Rosie is the 14-year-old daughter of typical farm parents-she fills her days with common household chores, and fills her nights with speculation on her sister's love life. After all, it is 1893 and she is unfamiliar with electric lights, amusement parks, and fancy living. There are cities, however, that are on the cutting edge of these technological marvels. Of course, Chicago is one of the front-runners. Everyone from coast to coast has heard of the Columbian Exposition, commonly known as the World Fair, being held that summer. It is rumored that the sights and sounds are miraculous to behold!

To Rosie, her older sister Lottie, and her younger brother Buster, the Exposition is a world away, and the thought of 750,000 people gathered in one of the most bustling towns in the country inspired a bit of fear. Actually going to this Exposition rarely crossed their minds-that is, until a surprising invitation from Aunt Euterpe changes their lives forever.

This book, although short, was an excellent piece of historical fiction, focusing on how the lives of a few country folks intertwine with some of the prominent national figures of that year, such as Buffalo Bill Cody and the actress Lillian Russell. While the book was an easy read, the stories were engaging and the characters were both believable and personable, each with flaws and strengths. I encourage you to read this book if you have some interest in history and an understanding that lives can change if you overcome your fears.

Those are the words that kept going through my head as I read this very homey and touching story. Richard Peck really knows how to tell a tale. I came to love each and every character--they made me laugh out loud as well as tear up. I also got a real sense of the time. In fact, I almost could have sworn this had been written in the 1890's. Very authentic. I intend to get my hands on other Richard Peck books as soon as possible. I highly recommend this book!