A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck

 Source of book: Audiobook from the library

 

One of the saddest things is finishing something you love. Beginning back in 2014 with Secrets at Sea, we have greatly enjoyed Richard Peck during our adventures. A Season of Gifts is the 9th audiobook we have listened to, and, as far as I can tell, it is the last of his books that has an audiobook. We have also read other books of his that are not audiobooks, and there are more to read. But it is sad to come to the end of the available books for listening. (Also sad that Peck passed in 2018, and thus will not be writing any more books.) 

 

Here are the books I have read with the kids. They have read more than I have, honestly. 

 

Fair Weather

Here Lies the Librarian

A Long Way From Chicago

The Mouse With the Question Mark Tail

Past Perfect Present Tense

The River Between Us

Secrets at Sea

The Teacher’s Funeral

A Year Down Yonder 

 

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A Season of Gifts is a sequel of sorts to A Long Way From Chicago and A Year Down Yonder. It features the unforgettable Mrs. Dowdel, the force of nature disguised as a corpulent old lady. In the first two books, the stories are told by Mrs. Dowdel’s grandchildren; by Joe in the first book, then by Mary Alice in the second, after Joe has grown up. By the time of A Season of Gifts, around 20 years have passed since the previous books, set in the 1930s. Now it is the era of Elvis and classic cars, and Mrs. Dowdel isn’t as spry as she used to be, but still every bit as cantankerous. 

 

The story is told by Bobby, the son of the new preacher in town. They come to live next to Mrs. Dowdel, and try to fit in as strangers in a small town. Starting with a pretty awful story when Bobby is bullied, things do not start out well. But Mrs. Dowdel is there to help out, all while pretending not to be “neighborly.” 

 

Later, a legend of an ancient Kickapoo princess buried on Mrs. Dowdel’s property leads to a rather hilarious scene involving a stolen squash. Mrs. Dowdel borrows the preacher’s car, makes Bobby drive, and goes and cuts down Christmas trees illicitly. Because of course she does. A funeral and a wedding also feature in the book, all orchestrated by Mrs. Dowdel. 

 

This isn’t a particularly long book, but it is pretty funny and poignant by turns. Peck’s writing is always outstanding, and his willingness to tackle difficult topics like bullying, unwed pregnancy, teenage crushes, and prejudice with gentleness and compassion really makes the books excellent for starting conversations with kids. 

 

While I am sad that we are at the end of these audiobooks, I am glad we have had the last seven years of sharing them together. The world is a better place because of Richard Peck, and I highly recommend his books.