Fair Weather

Fair Weather. Richard Peck. New York: Dial Books, 2001. 139 pp.
Rosie Beckett’s family receives a letter from their Aunt Euterpe who lives in Chicago. Their aunt wants them to come and visit her in Chicago and come to the World’s Columbian Exposition. Enclosed in the letter are train tickets, for that is the only method of transportation other than horse and buggy. After a tough decision, Rosie’s mother decides to go to Chicago. Rosie’s mother decides not to go herself because they would be put back so far in their work at home. Rosie, Lottie, and Buster board the train and head off to Chicago. When they are on the train, they find out that their granddad had sneaked onto the train and is coming with them. When they get to Chicago, they go right to the fair. They are amazed at how large it is and can not believe how big the Ferris Wheel is. During the fair they meet some famous people like Buffalo Bill and Lillian Russel. The fair in some way changed each of their lives in some way or another, and most of them, are changed for the better. This book is best suited for young people in the age range of 13-17.
Fair Weather is an historical fiction book. It has captured my attention because the family in the book lives near Decatur and I can relate to the places. The author has done a good job of giving good description of the places and things they encounter in this story, but not too much so that the book keeps dragging on. The whole story and all characters are believable. They seem like they are real rather than made-up characters.
Rank: 8 out of 10
Reviewed by Jeremy C.