2001 Newbery Award Winner
Richard Peck
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Though Peck has written more serious historical fiction and also an Edgar award winner and others from that genre plus a new-ish series about funny, smart and adorable mice for the younger crowd, the books I appreciate most are his nostalgic stories filled with humor, history, and heart which also often include a long-view reflection over a life lived.
In my opinion, these books are his best--though I am becoming a fan of those mice. Newbery Honor winner A Long Way From Chicago and Newbery Medal winner A Year Down Yonder fit within this category. These books make me laugh out loud yet they also make me weep.
Below are a few of my other favorites:
Fair Weather
2003
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This book is set in 1893, the summer of the "World's Columbian Exposition" which is better known now as the Chicago World's Fair.
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13 year old Rosie has never been anywhere but in her small town and on her farm. But her Aunt sends an invitation to join her in Chicago for the Fair. Rosie goes.
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The first sentence:
"It was the last day of our old lives, and we didn't even know it."
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The Teacher's Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts
2004
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The first sentence:
"If your teacher has to die, August isn't a bad time of year for it."
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Peck has the ability to turn that into not only a very funny story but into one that will touch your heart and stay with you.
Here Lies the Librarian
2006
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The first sentence isn't stellar and it's been a while since I read this one so I'll quote goodreads here for a little description:
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"This novel, with its quirky characters, folksy setting, classic cars, and hilariously larger-than-life moments, is vintage Richard Peck – an offbeat, deliciously wicked comedy that is also unexpectedly moving."
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As I recall, it was a very good read.
The Best Man
2016
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I haven't actually read this one yet so I'm not positive it fits into my funny-and-full-of-heart category but I have a feeling it may.
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It's not set historically like the others but takes place now. It's about gay marriage from a child's point of view.
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To quote goodreads: "From one exhilarating, unexpected episode to another, Archer’s story rolls along as he puzzles over the people in his life and the kind of person he wants to become…and manages to help his uncle become his best self as well."
“I keep a copy of ‘Huckleberry Finn’ on whatever desk I’m writing on. I wear them out. I got my latest copy at a flea market in London, and I read a page or two a day to get me going. I will never be Mark Twain, but I will die trying.”
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~Richard Peck from an interview with the New York Times
Once again, click the book cover to be directed to that title's goodreads page.