
A Season of Gifts
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Narrated by:
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Ron McLarty
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By:
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Richard Peck
About this listen
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.
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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
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- Jerod
- 01-20-19
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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- M.M
- 08-02-21
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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- Rebecca Sue Genz
- 02-09-23
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
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- Sue T
- 02-21-23
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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- Josiah
- 06-01-22
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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- Candy Boschert
- 06-03-17
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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- Keavy O'Brien
- 02-27-25
grandma Dowdel
everything with Grandma Dowdel is timeless. her depth of caring for the deserving and her lack of desire for credit. her tireless work. her sense of justice, often hysterical. both the first 2 books featuring her are also favorites
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- Tammy
- 08-07-15
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
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- SEOTU
- 06-04-17
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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- Thomas Murphy
- 12-22-22
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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