Richard Peck (1934-2018) wrote more than 30 novels for children and young adults. Many of his novels are set in Midwest including The Best Man, A Long Way From Chicago, A Year Down Yonder, Fair Weather, and The Teacher's Funeral. Reviewers have praised A Year Down Yonder, winner of the 2001 Newbery Medal. These hilarious stories rest solidly within the American literary tradition of Mark Twain.
Peck was the first children's writer to have been awarded a National Humanities Medal. His other honors included a Newbery Honor Medal, the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in young adult literature, and the Scott O'Dell Award. He was twice a finalist for the National Book Award.
To find books by Richard Peck you can search the online catalog by Author (Peck, Richard).