What happens when Joey and his younger sister Mary Alice -- two city slickers from Chicago -- make their annual summer visits to Grandma Dowdel's seemingly sleepy Illinois town? 

Join me as we begin our story in the summer of August 1929  visiting Grandma Dowdel, and end with their final summer visit in 1942 as America enters World War II. 

Each class includes a social studies lesson that helps provide context to the world events that occur during that year. 

This book is a Newberry Award winner. 

This book appeals to a variety of learners for several reasons; the first is this story is told from the point of view of Joey the older brother, second, the grandmother is not your average cookie baking, afghan crocheting grandmother, and it also includes many universal themes such as; Family, Friendship, Perseverance, Competition, Lies and Deceit, Time, Poverty, Coming of Age, Contrasting Regions, and Community.

We will discuss plot, point of view, historical events, setting, character analysis, and literary devices. 
Vocabulary will be highlighted that is unique to the time period and events. 

I teach using a variety of guided note handouts, visuals, and student discussions. 
Learners have options for outside projects to make personal connections with the story.
Writing projects can be assigned weekly upon request. 

Class 1: chapter Prologue: pg 1 and chapter  1-1929: pgs 3-16

Class 2: chapter 2-1930: pgs 17-36

Class 3:   chapter 3-1931: pgs 37-58 and  chapter 4-1932: pgs 61-78

Class 4: chapter 5-1933: pgs 79-99

Class 5: chapter 6-1934: pgs 101-120

Class 6:  chapter 7-1935: pgs 121-145 and  chapter 8-1942: pgs 147-148

Interest level is for Grades 4 - 8	
Reading level Grades 3 - 8
Lexile level is 750L
Guided Reading Level V

I also teach the sequel to this book, "A Year Down Yonder."