Setting
What month does "A Year Down Yonder" Begin?
September
Who are the main characters in Chapter 1?
Mary Alice, Grandma Dowdel, Mildred.
What is a privy?
An outdoor restroom.
Why was Mary Alice going alone to stay with Grandma Dowdel?
Mary Alice's father had lost his job, and her parents had to move to an apartment where there wasn't enough room for Mary Alice.
What is the theme of Chapter 1?
Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover, Jealousy, Family, Poverty, etc.
What time period was the setting for the story?
The Great Depression
Who is Bootsie?
What is a conniption?
A temper tantrum or a fit.
What does Grandma do to get back at Mildred for bullying Mary Alice?
Grandma ties Mildred's boots around her (stolen) horse's neck and lets the horse go so Mildred will have to walk home barefoot.
Grandma tells Mary Alice that Mildred won't be at school tomorrow. Why won't Mildred be at school?
Her horse ran home to its original home (before Mildred's paw stole it), so Mildred is not likely to walk 5 miles to school barefoot.
Where is Mary Alice originally from?
Chicago
What character is being described in the following quote from Chapter 1? "She drew nearer until she blotted out the day."
Grandma Dowdel
What is the meaning of luxury in the following sentence? "High school's getting to be a luxury in times like these."
A priviledge; something that not everyone has the opportunity to do.
What does Mildred call Mary Alice and why do you think she feels this way?
"Rich Chicago Girl." Mildred feels this way because she assumes that Mary Alice is wealthy and is jealous of her.
What is the high school like where Mary Alice will attend?
Small, most of the grades are combined, Mary Alice has only two teachers. The principal has many jobs in the school.
Describe Grandma Dowdel's town.
Rural, small, poor, everyone knows everyone, etc.
Who is the protagonist of this chapter? Who is the antagonist?
Protagonist: Mary Alice
Antagonist: Mildred
What is a "cadaver?"
A dead body
What did Grandma do to help Bootsie settle in?
Butter her paws
Who are Mary Alice's teachers?
Miss Butler and Mr. Herkimer
In what year does "A Year Down Yonder" begin?
1937
Who is Joey and why is he not going with Mary Alice to live with Grandma?
Joey is Mary Alice's brother. He got a job working for the Civilian Conservation Corps planting trees out west.
Define the word "penitentiary."
Prison
Which character says the following: "Don't mess with Mildred. She ate my lunch."
Ina-Rae Gage
What two prized possessions did Mary Alice bring with her?
Bootsie and her radio.