Rating: 4 stars
Cover synopsis: It is 1958 and a new family has moved in next door to Mrs. Dowdel -- a family in desperate need of her help.
This is the third book in Peck's "A Long Way From Chicago" series that stars Grandma Dowdel. This time, the story is told by her 12-year-old neighbor Bob. Dowdel is in her 90s now, but just as fiesty as ever.
I love a good holiday-themed book. And "A Season of Gifts" was an entertaining read. Peck has a penchant for great anecdotes -- especially the story about Mrs. Dowdel recruiting Bob to go cut down a Christmas tree (and "borrow" his father's car to do it despite the fact that he doesn't know how to drive). But I didn't feel it was quite of the calibur of the first two books in the series. Bob is more of an observer -- I don't feel like he grew or learned much over the period of the book, whereas in the other two books the narrators gain some interesting insights.
Still, Peck hasn't lost his talent for story telling. But I must say, by book 3, I'm starting to wonder how anyone in that town could doubt that despite her crusty exterior, Mrs. Dowdel has a heart of gold. Isn't it common knowledge by now?
