Ever been to a potluck of appetizers? You know it isn't really a dinner, there is no broccoli to get through, just a spinach dip that has almost nothing to do with spinach. Everything is so yummy, you have a bite of this and a bite of that until you walk away completely satisfied, thinking "That was so good!" That is what it is like to read Richard Peck's two novels.They charm you and touch you and leave you feeling buoyant and a bit melancholy at the same time. All that in under 150 pages (per book). When I can't find time to read, it is soul sucking for me. If you feel yourself driven crazy because you can't find time to read, pick up A Long Way from Chicago. Even if you only have 15 minutes, you will feel satisfied. I LOVED both books.