The story focuses on the atypical Grandma Dowdel. Grandma Dowdel bridges the generation gap. Narrated by her granddaughter, Mary Alice, the story illustrates how Grandma’s sometimes-unlawful tactics and genuine motives benefit her grandchildren. Through her dealings with friends and enemies, Grandma is a character who shocks and amuses the reader.

This novel is paired with A Long Way from Chicago, the novel’s prequel, as told by Grandma Dowdel’s grandson, Joey.

This unit addresses the literary devices point of view, setting, characterization, symbolism, figurative language, and dialect. Students will expand their knowledge through pre-reading activities, writing assignments, and directed performance assessments. In addition, critical reading and writing skills are addressed. Activities featured in this unit include student presentations, brainstorming, classroom discussion activities, small group discussions, writing activities, guided character development activities, charting/creating graphic organizers, poetry analysis, analyzing writing style, and creative writing activities. Optional activities are included in the lessons to provide students with additional learning opportunities.