• A Season of Gifts

  • By: Richard Peck
  • Narrated by: Ron McLarty
  • Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (176 ratings)

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A Season of Gifts  By  cover art

A Season of Gifts

By: Richard Peck
Narrated by: Ron McLarty
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Publisher's summary

The eccentric, forceful, big-hearted Grandma Dowdel is the star of the Newbery Medal-winning A Year Down Yonder and Newbery Honor-winning A Long Way from Chicago. And it turns out that her story isn't over - not even close.

It is now 1958, and a new family has moved in next door to Mrs. Dowdel: a Methodist minister and his wife and kids. Soon Mrs. Dowdel will work her particular brand of charm - or medicine, depending on who you're asking - on all of them: 10-yearold Bob, who is shy on courage in a town full of bullies; his two fascinating sisters; and even Bob's two parents, who are amazed to discover that the last house in town might also be the most vital.

As Christmas rolls around, the Barnhart family realizes that they've found a true home - and a neighbor who gives gifts that will last a lifetime.

©2009 Richard Peck (P)2009 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Irascible, independent, and unorthodox as ever, Grandma Dowdel makes a welcome return...she's entered that rare pantheon of unforgettably great characters." (Horn Book)

"This is one of Peck's best novels yet - and that's saying something." (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

What listeners say about A Season of Gifts

Average customer ratings
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Fun Family Listen

We listened to this story on a long car trip. Great story. All ages 12-49 enjoyed it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it so much 😍😍😍😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💗💗💗💗💗💘💘💘💖💖💝

Great
I loved it for its humor
I would recommend it to 9-60 years old it meets the needs of a good book and I know we all need a break sometimes from work or school it is just what we all need today

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A Little Disappointing

The first two books in this series were just great and I was so looking forward to the last one. I feel as if the author was distracted while writing this last one. It wasn’t nearly as good as the first two. You wouldn’t have to listen to this one. However, the first two are great fun and I’d listen to those a second time.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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A wonderful story by mr McLarty

A long way from Chicago and A year down yonder are must reads for more about Mrs Dowdel and her family These are feel good stories plus they remind us of how little we had in earlier times. And remind us of how much we have now ???

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Elements of this story did not age well

The story overall, was great. Richard Peck does not disappoint.
The one issue I have is more a product of the evolution in thought and imagination regarding indigenous peoples and their lands since the time of the author’s childhood.
Some of the rhetoric around “Indian Burial Grounds” and the nonchalant attitude around the fact that Grandma Dowdell’s house is built on such a spot did not sit well. Again, I recognize the generational gaps in thought regarding such issues, but I believe it worth noting for future readers.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Summer Reader

What did you love best about A Season of Gifts?

Absolutely LOVE Richard Peck. This is a great book to listen to while traveling with your family in the car on a long trip. His books are very entertaining.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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great story


it was a really good book and in true tradition of Richard Pecks series Mrs Dowdwell

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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l love anything by Richard Peck.

Heart warming story about families during World War II. Great characters and hilarious situations that ring true.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Charming!

This heart-warming story is a delight at Christmas and all year long! The characters spring to life with more personality and abundance than Mrs. Dowdle’s chins.😊

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Like Granny reading stories to me when I was littl

Story was homespun life with a twist of real life comedy, I could close my eyes and see the story happening. Mr. Peck has a way of taking the daily life adding a touch of normal day to day comedy, just tugging at your heart and bringing back memories of growing up poor, but not lacking in the things that made life good.....family, neighbors and friends. 5 stars!!!

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