What is the theme in A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck?

Justice is a strong theme in the novel. Grandma possesses a strong sense of justice, and part of the fun of the novel is witnessing people receiving their "just desserts," usually at the hands of Grandma. Proverbially, this justice usually takes the form of someone receiving a dose of his or her own medicine. For example, Mildred Burdick bullies Mary Alice, and Grandma responds by bullying Mildred and depriving her of her shoes and her horse. Another example is Mrs. Weidenbach, who is hopelessly stuck up regarding her lineage and her association with the Daughters of the American Revolution. Grandma puts her in her place by indirectly revealing that Mrs. Weidenbach actually has Burdick blood, and not the "pure" blood she thought she did.