Fair Weather (Paperback)

by Richard Peck (Author) "It was the last day of our old lives, and we didn't even know it..." (more)
Key Phrases: Buffalo Bill, Lillian Russell, Colonel Cody (more...)

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.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (March 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142500348
• ISBN-13: 978-0439430340
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #396,131 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best I've read in a long time, February 16, 2002

By	Mary G. Longorio "Texasbookgirl" (Eagle Mountain, UT) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Fair Weather (Hardcover)

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.