Richard Peck (1934–2018)

Major works

Peck produced a steady output of short novels and longer works, many of which are set in small Midwestern towns and feature young protagonists learning about family, history, and responsibility. Notable titles include:

• A Long Way from Chicago — a series of episodic tales about two city children visiting relatives in the country.
• A Year Down Yonder — the sequel that won the Newbery Medal, often taught in classrooms for its voice and structure.
• The River Between Us — a historical novel exploring race and community in the American past.
• The Ghost Belonged to Me — a much-loved early novel mixing the everyday and the supernatural.

Style, themes, and audience

Peck wrote with economy and wit, favoring episodic chapters and strong narrative voice. His characters are frequently children or adolescents facing domestic upheavals, ethical choices, or the consequences of historical forces. Teachers and librarians have often recommended his books for middle-school readers because they combine accessible language with layered themes: family loyalty, compassion, the awkwardness of growing up, and the human dimensions of history. Peck also championed young-adult reading and spoke regularly about the importance of storytelling that respects its readers' intelligence.

Career, recognition and legacy

Over the decades, Peck received broad critical praise and a devoted readership. His Newbery Medal-winning work brought him particular attention, but his influence rests equally on a large body of well-crafted novels that continue to appear on school reading lists and in public library collections. Educators value his books for classroom discussion, while young readers respond to his humor and moral clarity.

Death

Richard Peck died on May 23, 2018, at his home in New York City of cancer at the age of 84. He is remembered as a major figure in American young-adult literature whose work helped shape how middle-grade and teen stories could combine entertainment with emotional and ethical depth.