A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck is the third book about Grandma Dowdel. While I love the series and adore Grandma Dowdel, I feel this one is not quite as wonderful as the other two. Perhaps its the quiet voice of the main character, perhaps it is plot, I'm not really sure. It just doesn't feel like a future Newbery.

That said, I would recommend this book to anyone. All the Grandma Dowdel books are charming. What did everyone else think?

I voted for the other book, because I could at least read it. Our library doesn't have A Season of Gifts even listed in the catalog, where they list books that are being acquired. Sigh. I guess there is just no solution to the problem of the books not being available. By the time they ARE available the Mock Newbery process will be moot.

Laura wrote: "I voted for the other book, because I could at least read it. Our library doesn't have A Season of Gifts even listed in the catalog, where they list books that are being acquired. Sigh. I guess ..."

This is the hardest part about having a mock newbery. My library didn't have Forest Born yet but they promise it will be in within the month. So I feel for ya. When they do get it in you can always still put what you think about it on this thread, even if it's been awhile.

I'm sorry.

Well, I finally managed to download an audio version of A Season of Gifts, but, in spite of my complaining about availability, I have run into another truth - October and November have been extremely busy for me and I have only managed to listen to the first part of the audio.

So far, I am not particularly enamored of it. I have listened to the part where the MC gets set upon by the town bullies, tied up naked, and suspended over Grandma Dowdel's privy, but it was a bit too painful, rather than amusing. I know that not everything in the book has to be amusing and that uncomfortable truths need to creep in here and there, but this seems to be a bit unrelenting so far.

Grandma Dowdel is a multifaceted, fun character and this novel is a rollicking tale. I'm not sure it's Newbery material - breaking new ground in it's story, voice or language. The '50's nostalgia might appeal to a different generation than it was intended for. Still, a hilarious story is a hilarious story. I had the privilege to hear Richard Peck read the privy passage and found that when I continued to read the novel, his voice was in my head. I recommend this as a holiday gift.

This was my first Grandma Dowdel book and I'm now reading the others, so it goes without saying that I liked it. Good message, fun book. The only drawback for me was that the episodic story form isn't my favorite.

As for the Newbery: Grandma Dowdel already has one medal and one honor. I think that's enough for her.

Peck is a consistently good author although it took me a while before I warmed up to this particular Grandma Dowdel book. It just about defines what a slice-of-life book should be. It's also a good fit for an inspirational title. But Newbery material, uh uh. There's just not enough to it. (And this from a person who really loves his books and has had the pleasure of hearing him speak as well.)

Although this book was enjoyable. I didn't feel it was Newbery-ish. I loved the MC's voice and could really pic his little sis in her Grandma Dowdel get-up. The story jumped around a little too much though.