Fair Weather

By Richard Peck

Dial Books, 2001 

Grades 4-7  

A letter from Aunt Euterpe arrives at the Beckett family home, inviting them to the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Thirteen year-old Rose, her older sister, Lottie, and their seven year-old brother, Buster embark on an adventure that is filled with surprises. Granddad is the biggest surprise of all! The simple, routine, every day life of this 1893 Illinois farm family takes on new dimensions the moment they board the train that takes them to Chicago. Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill, Lillian Russell, and the Ferris wheel ride are all a part of their adventures in this fast moving, boisterously funny novel.

About the Author

Even as a young boy, Richard Peck dreamed of becoming an author. Growing up in Decatur, Illinois, he felt as if he didn't have much to write about. Once he started looking around, he found many contributions to young people's literature. He has written over 25 novels. A Long Way From Chicago won a Newbery Honor Award in 1999, and the sequel, A Year Down Under won the Newbery Medal in 2001. He credits his mother who read to him, and teachers who never put a grade on a rough draft, as influences that resulted in his career as a writer.

Activities

• Richard Peck uses figurative language throughout this story. Find similes and metaphors and think of some that you and your friends use.

• Research Chicago in 1893. What was the population, modes of transportation, industries, and famous buildings? What were some "firsts" introduced at the World's Fair?

• Postcards were first sold at the World's Fair in 1893. Research the first postcards and create your own from one of the Beckett's experiences.

More, more, more...

• Bolotin, Norman. The World's Columbian Exposition: The Chicago World's Fair of 1893. University of Illinois Press, 2002.

• Macy, Sue. Bull's Eye: A Photobiography of Annie Oakley. National Geographic Society, 2001.

• Sabir, C. Ogbu. Scott Joplin: The King of Ragtime. Child's World Inc., 2002.

Websites

Chicago's Great Ferris Wheel of 1893

Columbia World Exhibition 1893

Annie Oakley Biography

Buffalo Bill Cody