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179th out of 534 books
—
1,396 voters
Fair Weather
by
Richard Peck
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! Awar...more
Paperback, 160 pages
Published
March 24th 2003
by Puffin
(first published 2001)
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Peck creates another batch of memorable characters for this trip to the 1893 Columbian Exposition. While the plot is both simple and predictable, it's also a great romp through the foibles of high society in turn-of-the-century Chicago. Featuring cameos from Buffalo Bill and Lillian Russell, the characters in this book rub elbows with some of the greatest figures to come out of this period in American history. The narrator, the middle sister of three siblings, has a wry, no-nonsense voice that m...more
Though I always love Peck's voice and writing, this one didn't hold me as well as his beautiful and hilarious other books like "A Long Way From Chicago" and the wonderful "A Year Down Yonder." I liked Rosie as a main character - she was a strong girl character who clearly knew herself, even at 12 - and I loved reading about some of the details of Chicago at the end of the 19th century, but the climax with Buffalo Bill and the Rough Riders didn't capture my interest too well. It sounds sort of st...more
Richard Peck's story of Rosie Beckett's adventure to the 1893 World's Columbian Expo is, in a word, enchanting. This was my first time reading anything by Peck, and I'm sure to find more by him.
Rosie, her mother, sister and brother are invited by their Aunt Euterpe to travel to Chicago to see the World's Fair. Their mother decides not to go, but thinks it might be a good idea to send the children. Never having traveled farther from home than their horse could travel, Chicago might as well have b...more
Rosie, her mother, sister and brother are invited by their Aunt Euterpe to travel to Chicago to see the World's Fair. Their mother decides not to go, but thinks it might be a good idea to send the children. Never having traveled farther from home than their horse could travel, Chicago might as well have b...more
Caroline Davis's Review:
In the thirteen years of her life, Rosie Beckett has never traveled farther from her farm than a horse could take her in one day. This all changes when a letter arrives from her Aunt Euterpe in Chicago, inviting Rosie and her siblings to come visit for a week to see the World's Columbian Exposition - the 1893 Chicago World's Fair! For a country girl impressed by getting to travel on a train, the marvels of the World's Fair are almost too incredible to believe. If only the...more
In the thirteen years of her life, Rosie Beckett has never traveled farther from her farm than a horse could take her in one day. This all changes when a letter arrives from her Aunt Euterpe in Chicago, inviting Rosie and her siblings to come visit for a week to see the World's Columbian Exposition - the 1893 Chicago World's Fair! For a country girl impressed by getting to travel on a train, the marvels of the World's Fair are almost too incredible to believe. If only the...more
This book was recommended to me by a librarian in the youth department at my local library. She had praised it—and the author—very highly. The book did not disappoint. Through humor and great story-telling, Richard Peck succeeds in enlightening us, the reader, while entertaining us at the same time. The Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 provides the backdrop for a coming-of-age story of the main character, thirteen-year-old Rosie Beckett. Not only was it an event of historical signifi...more
Richard Peck keeps writing the book that I want to write. While this is not my favorite of his books, it still reminds me that I have a book I want to write - unfortunately, Peck wrote it first.
A farm family goes to the Chicago Columbian Exhibition of 1893 at the invitation of the aunt who lives in the city. One is being sent to get her away from a boyfriend her mother doesn't approve of. Their grandfather slips into the group so that he can see Buffalo Bill Cody's show, which was not permitted...more
A farm family goes to the Chicago Columbian Exhibition of 1893 at the invitation of the aunt who lives in the city. One is being sent to get her away from a boyfriend her mother doesn't approve of. Their grandfather slips into the group so that he can see Buffalo Bill Cody's show, which was not permitted...more
Fair Weather - Another delightful book from Newbery-winning author, Richard Peck! I had to read this after his exceptionally funny “Long Way from Chicago” and “A Year Down Yonder.”
Loved this book also! Not the laugh-out-loud-even-if-you’re-reading-alone category (like the other two), but absolutely entertaining non-the less. Wonderful characters take us back to a time not even on my radar. Didn’t matter!
I knew absolutely NOTHING about the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. Couldn’t tell you...more
Loved this book also! Not the laugh-out-loud-even-if-you’re-reading-alone category (like the other two), but absolutely entertaining non-the less. Wonderful characters take us back to a time not even on my radar. Didn’t matter!
I knew absolutely NOTHING about the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. Couldn’t tell you...more
gr 5-8 134pgs
1893 Chicago, Il. When Aunt Euterpe invites 13 year old Rosie, her mother, brother, and sister to come see the World's Columbian Exposition, Rosie is excited at the idea of going into the city. Her mother reminds them to mind their manners since Euterpe isn't used to children. Try as they might Rosie and her siblings and grandpa (who showed up using their mother's ticket) can't help but create an uproar where ever they go.
Great descriptions of the fair and view of Chicago society. A...more
1893 Chicago, Il. When Aunt Euterpe invites 13 year old Rosie, her mother, brother, and sister to come see the World's Columbian Exposition, Rosie is excited at the idea of going into the city. Her mother reminds them to mind their manners since Euterpe isn't used to children. Try as they might Rosie and her siblings and grandpa (who showed up using their mother's ticket) can't help but create an uproar where ever they go.
Great descriptions of the fair and view of Chicago society. A...more
Once they finally get there, this is a bright and quirky imagined childhood memory of the Chicago Colombian Exposition in 1893. (Which you may remember from such bestsellers as The Devil in the White City.) But I endured an entirely plotless first cassette (out of three). It's just one big lament that "they've seen nothing of world." They farm. They don't wear shoes in the summer. I get it. I was ready to jump a train to the big city too.
Worst of all, this country gal's tale is read by what sou...more
Worst of all, this country gal's tale is read by what sou...more
May 04, 2010
Logan
marked it as to-read
WHY: I pre-read this book recently and enjoyed it as much as many other Richard Peck books I've read. He has a knack for bringing the past to life without being too obvious or didactic about it. And I love his eccentic bit characters. The story takes place in 1893, when the World's Fair was inn Chicago. The main character is 13-year-old Rosie, who has never been away from her family's farm. Her estranged aunt writes and invites her and her siblings to come to Chicago for the fair. Rosie's hilari...more
Fair Weather is another solid Richard Peck children's novel. Chicago once again plays a role in Peck's tale; in fact, it's a very big role. The novel is set in 1893 at the World's Columbian Exposition, or World Fair, in Chicago. Three country kids wind up in the Windy City for the fair along with their boisterous granddad and his dog, Tip. The novel is told from the perspective of the middle child, Rosie, who is about to turn 14. The book is full of humor, yet what I enjoyed the most was followi...more
It's a great history lesson about the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.Peck is good with description and atmospherics that really put you in the scene without being too wordy. The narrator is a 14 year old farm girl from rural Illinois who tells the story of how her family came to visit their estranged aunt in the big city and experienced the fair. Of course, it's a YA book and short so the plot is neatly wrapped up in the end and everyone lives happily ever after, but I didn't mind because the stor...more
Another great book to read with your kids. This is our second Richard Peck novel and we enjoyed this as much as the first. I love how he paints a picture of life in times past and it makes me wistful for simpler days when electric lights were the new technology. We especially liked the "Grandpa" character. My son walks around exclaiming "Heck-a-tee!" just like Grandpa and we all giggle. We listened to the audio version of this while in the car. It's a great way to enjoy a book together (and it k...more
From the author of A Long Way From Chicago and A Year Down Yonder, we now get a story of country kids visiting the city. Rosie Beckett and her siblings get an invitation from their distant Aunt Euterpe to leave the farm and travel to Chicago for the great World's Fair of 1893. Gussied up in fancy new clothes and with an eccentric Grandpa along for the trip, the children encounter many new marvels, help Aunt Euterpe cope with horrible household help, and have hilarious adventures. Recommended for...more
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...more
I selected this book as a read aloud for my 3rd graders because we study Chicago for the whole year in social studies and we had talked about the Colombian World's Exhibition. I loved the book for giving us some historical fiction to discuss these events over. The biggest problem was that even with me reading the book aloud and stopping to talk about the vocabulary a lot of it was over the 8 & 9 year olds heads that I was reading it to. Thus, they missed a lot of the humor or were confused a...more
Richard Peck tells this engaging rags to riches type story through the eyes of young Rosie Beckett. Rosie lives in a small town and has never traveled beyond it until her family receives an invitation from a rich aunt to visit her in Chicago. The purpose of the trip was for the children to witness the incredible spectacle that is the world's fair. This trip will change Rosie's life forever.
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is a book that all ages would enjoy. It is humorous but also has a good m...more
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is a book that all ages would enjoy. It is humorous but also has a good m...more
I absolutely loved this story and the characters. I appreciate how Peck draws a picture of the times with such interesting and unforgettable characters. The story takes place in Chicago in 1893 during the World's Fair and tells of the adventures of a truly remarkable family who visit there and change the lives all they see.
**Spoiler Alert**
Some liberties are taken with associations--Grandpa knows Buffalo Bill--but I didn't care since I loved the story so much.
**Spoiler Alert**
Some liberties are taken with associations--Grandpa knows Buffalo Bill--but I didn't care since I loved the story so much.
I love Richard Peck and want to learn all my history from his books. Fair Weather made me want to build a time machine so I could go back to the World Fair in Chicago. See what mass media has taken from us. A world's Fair again would be so cool. I love Richard Pecks characters because they are timeless- you have meet them all I think sometime in your life. I will use one of his books as a read a loud next year for sure. Ahh but which one they are all my favorites!
Short & Sweet: Richard Peck's books are well known to librarians everywhere, but his books rarely seem to be checked out by students at my elementary school. I loved the way this book was written, taking you back to the time period with the setting, characters and even the writing of dialogue within. Readers that are interested in Chicago's past will enjoy this novel. I think Peck's books are fantastic books to share on the topic of historical fiction. I love the way the dialogue reflects t...more
As always with Peck's books, this one was far too short, and like many of his other novels, he deftly and comically blends the clash of rural central America to their urban counterparts. Not as flat-out funny as A Long Way from Chicago or The Teacher's Funeral : A Comedy in Three Parts but still hits all the right notes and weaves fiction and history together in a tight, quick read.
Feb 09, 2009
Emily
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Midwesterners
This book revolves around the 1891 Columbian Exposition, the World's Fair held in Chicago. Two small-town farmgirls go to stay with their well-off Aunt Euterpe in Chicago in order to see the fair. Their rascal grandfather, not particularly wanted on the trip, insinuates himself into the traveling party. Like A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder, this story is full of laughs and fleshed out characters not soon forgotten.
Country bumpkins 13 year old Rosie Beckett, her sister, brother and grandfather leave their rural lives behind and travel to the big city of Chicago for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. There they encounter electric lights, the famous Ferris Wheel and some really historic characters of the day. Their lack of sophistication makes for many funny moments as they adjust to life in the big city and the wonder of the Fair.
Love Richard Peck for making me laugh out loud. Fair Weather isn't as up to scratch as A Year Down Yonder, but very enjoyable. The foibles of the Beckett family were enjoyable as they wrecked and rebuilt their widowed aunt's life in one week of enjoying the Chicago fair. The slice of history was interesting and as always, I enjoy a good novel set in Illinois.
Overall, I give this book 4 stars. It kept me guessing at every turn of the page and it made me want to read more. This is the 2nd book I've read by Richard Peck, and I like him as an author. He is very educated when it comes to anything during the 1930s or 1800s. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys learning about history and how people lived back then.
Dec 29, 2010
Katharine Hawkinson
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
kids,
audiobooks
A great little audio book, just about 4 hours if that. Totally basic, but entertaining. The husband listened and laughed! Funny thing was, I was irritated by the Grandpa character, but Kevin loved him! Richard Peck is a great author for kids, blending entertainment, history and good sense into his novels with ease. Good for kids about 10-11 years old.
I'm a big fan of Richard Peck, yet I wavered between three and four stars on this one (guilt added the fourth star :)
I love the realistic, historically accurate settings as well as the weaving in of historical figures. These are the stories strong points.
Peck's humor is there but not up to the level of "A Long Way From Chicago" and others.
I love the realistic, historically accurate settings as well as the weaving in of historical figures. These are the stories strong points.
Peck's humor is there but not up to the level of "A Long Way From Chicago" and others.
Fair Weather was a really good book. It showed the adventures Rosie had to go through and weather or not her and her family were going to go to Chicago to visit her mother's sister. Her Aunt has sent tickets to attend the World's Fair while in Chicago, and Rosies mother needs to decide whether they go or send back her sister's tickets.
7/4/11 ** Another stellar Peck. Set during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Three kids from a farm in rural Illinois are invited to visit their aunt in Chicago to visit the fair. There is definitely a journey (the personal growth kind), a bit of a twist (at least something I didn't see coming), and a fairy tale ending. I didn't like the gender stereotype - oldest sister ends by getting married, OR the emphasis on acceptance by high society, but both aspects fit the time. I DID like the quirky midd...more
Peck seems to be a master of taking historical reality and injecting humanity into something that could be so dry and boring. This short novella about a family that goes to see Chicago's World Fair is amazing and touching, but simple and lovely. I thought it would be boring, but instead it was compelling and interesting.
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Richard Peck is an American novelist known for his prolific contributions to modern young adult literature. He was awarded the Newbery Medal in 2001 for his novel A Year Down Yonder.
Richard Peck was born in 1934 in Decatur, Illinois, a town he describes as quiet and safe. His mother, Virginia, was a dietitian and his father, Wayne, was a merchant who often rode his Harley Davidson to work.
Richard...more
More about Richard Peck...
Richard Peck was born in 1934 in Decatur, Illinois, a town he describes as quiet and safe. His mother, Virginia, was a dietitian and his father, Wayne, was a merchant who often rode his Harley Davidson to work.
Richard...more
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