reviews
Feb 12, 2011
Ruth
rated it: 
Ah....Homecoming. This is one of the few books I read in junior high that I still love reading from time to time.
The book is the story of Dicey, a young teen, and her three siblings. Their mother, who is suffering from poverty and mental illness, abandons them in her old beat up car in the mall parking lot. After waiting for her to come back and realizing that she isn't going to, Dicey takes charge. With the little money they have, they decide to take a journey to find some rel More...
The book is the story of Dicey, a young teen, and her three siblings. Their mother, who is suffering from poverty and mental illness, abandons them in her old beat up car in the mall parking lot. After waiting for her to come back and realizing that she isn't going to, Dicey takes charge. With the little money they have, they decide to take a journey to find some rel More...
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Oct 29, 2007
Jackie "the Librarian"
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This book grabbed me and wouldn't let go. Unstable single mom drives to the mall and has the kids stay in the car. The mall closes, and she is nowhere to be found. The kids know that if they go to the police, they will be split up into separate foster care. So, using every resource they possess, they head to the one relative they think might take them in, no matter that she is several states away.
What a desperate, gripping situation. Spare, elegant writing makes it incredibly powerful. Thi More...
What a desperate, gripping situation. Spare, elegant writing makes it incredibly powerful. Thi More...
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Feb 02, 2008
Kirsten
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I'd read Dicey's Song when I was a kid, and I never realized it actually was a sequel to Homecoming.
Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sam Tillerman are abruptly left on their own when their mother abandons them and the car in a mall parking lot. When it becomes clear that their mother isn't coming back, thirteen-year-old Dicey conceives a daring and dangerous plan: since they know that they were on their way to live with their Aunt Cilla in Bridgeport, they will continue the journey on foot More...
Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sam Tillerman are abruptly left on their own when their mother abandons them and the car in a mall parking lot. When it becomes clear that their mother isn't coming back, thirteen-year-old Dicey conceives a daring and dangerous plan: since they know that they were on their way to live with their Aunt Cilla in Bridgeport, they will continue the journey on foot More...
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Mar 18, 2008
Ryan
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This book is one of those I read every few years and I'm never disappointed. It is a story of abandonment and resilience, and of healing. Dicey, age 13, leads her younger brothers and sister from Connecticut to the Maryland Eastern Shore when their mentally ill mother abandons them in a mall parking lot. The description of their walk along route 1 makes me weary and discouraged, and every time I read the book I want to go find them, bring them home and take care of them. This time I noted the de
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Oct 07, 2008
Sierra
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Homecoming is about Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy Tillerman. When their mom abandons them in a car, they have to find a new home by themselves. This book is all about what happens to the children, what friends they make (as well as enemies), and how they get home.
If you like a good adventure story that is full of surprises, you should read this book. You should also read this book if you like long stories that keep you interested.
You shouldn't read this book if you like stories th More...
If you like a good adventure story that is full of surprises, you should read this book. You should also read this book if you like long stories that keep you interested.
You shouldn't read this book if you like stories th More...
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May 27, 2010
Jessica
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I am counting this book as 2 books...
Dicey Tillerman is a strong and independent young adult, but when her mother looses her job and is forced to abandon her children, dicey must learn to take the place of her mother and make the long journey to Aunt Cilla's house with her three younger sibillings, on foot. Only when they finally arive they are suprised to find that their aunt has died, but lucky for them their cousin Eunice is kind enough to take them in. Soon Dicey realizes they ca More...
Dicey Tillerman is a strong and independent young adult, but when her mother looses her job and is forced to abandon her children, dicey must learn to take the place of her mother and make the long journey to Aunt Cilla's house with her three younger sibillings, on foot. Only when they finally arive they are suprised to find that their aunt has died, but lucky for them their cousin Eunice is kind enough to take them in. Soon Dicey realizes they ca More...
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Dec 02, 2008
Rhonda
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In this adolescent novel, thirteen year old Dicey, her brothers James and Sammy, and sister Maybeth are abandoned in a mall parking lot by their mother. Don't get me wrong about their mother, though, she had a miserable life, and suffered from depression, she thought her children would be best without her. Dicey realizes she must set out to find the closest family she has, her rich Great-Aunt Cilia in Bridgeport. Getting to Aunt Cilia's is not easy, though, they barely had any money in their hom
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Feb 12, 2012
Emma
rated it:
When I decided to suddenly try to read as many different kinds of children's books out there, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Suddenly I was discovering a multitude of different staples, awards, experts, critiques, and controversies. Perhaps most surprising to me, however, were those books that I was somewhat familiar with, but not actually fluent in. Cynthia Voigt's Tillerman saga is a collection of some seven books about a single variegated family. The series is considered by som
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Feb 08, 2012
Lora
rated it: 
Homecoming is a book that doesn't interest me much, but the characters and their relationship between each other is the reason that in somewhat I like it. The way that each of the characters expresses their personality is really interesting, because that is what helped them get where they wanted in the first place.
Four kids, Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy, are abandoned by their Momma and after the kids wait for her awhile and all they get is disappointed, they decide to move on and go More...
Four kids, Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy, are abandoned by their Momma and after the kids wait for her awhile and all they get is disappointed, they decide to move on and go More...
Nov 28, 2011
Maryam
rated it:
In this suspenseful novel, Homecoming, written by Cynthia Voigt, Dicey’s mother has left all her four kids alone in the parking lot of a mall. The Tillerman kids Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy must find a way to survive. All the difficulties are left on Dicey, the eldest of the four children. She needs to find a way to feed them and somewhere for them to sleep, without much money. Dicey needs to make sure that no matter what they all stick together. Will the Tillerman kids sur More...
Nov 20, 2011
Amanda
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So far, in the book Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt, Dicey , James, Maybeth, and Sammy are left alone in the car by their momma.They think she is just lost, so they wait for her.After a while she's still not back and they start to worry.Dicey, the oldest cild, decides to stay until the next day just in case their momma comes back.When the children all wake up they see that their momma is gone for good and they start to feel down. Dicey then decides that they must go to Bridgeport together to find Mo
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Jun 09, 2011
Christina
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By: Cynthia Voigt total pages:416
Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt is a story about four children from the Tillerman family that are orphans. They once lived with their parents but once their parents died the four children were left to fend for themselves. This story is the journey of these children to find where their aunt lives because she is the only person left that could take care of them. While traveling a while with no luck, the children feel like they will never find their More...
Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt is a story about four children from the Tillerman family that are orphans. They once lived with their parents but once their parents died the four children were left to fend for themselves. This story is the journey of these children to find where their aunt lives because she is the only person left that could take care of them. While traveling a while with no luck, the children feel like they will never find their More...
Dec 05, 2010
Michelle
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 10, 2010
Lars
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Not enough superlatives for this one.
I avidly read the Tillerman cycle (seven books) several years ago, and since then, have constantly recommended them to others. My sister finally took me up on that, and two volumes in, agrees that Voigt and her characters and stories are worth the praise. However, she listened to 'Homecoming' and 'Dicey's Song,' and raved about Barbara Caruso's narration.
So now, thanks to my sister, I have had the treat of revisiting a good friend, a More...
I avidly read the Tillerman cycle (seven books) several years ago, and since then, have constantly recommended them to others. My sister finally took me up on that, and two volumes in, agrees that Voigt and her characters and stories are worth the praise. However, she listened to 'Homecoming' and 'Dicey's Song,' and raved about Barbara Caruso's narration.
So now, thanks to my sister, I have had the treat of revisiting a good friend, a More...
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May 13, 2010
Stephanie
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I think I heard about this book on Jen or Kelly's Good Reads account. Then I was at the Franklin library and James pulled an entire shelf of books onto the floor (I was mortified!!!) and as I was helping the librarian pick them up, I saw this book and it's sequel, Dicey's Song.
I was pulled in immediately. A mother leaves her 4 children ages 13, 10, 9 and 6 in their car in the mall parking lot and never comes back. Dicey, the oldest, decides that they must press on to Bridgeport where More...
I was pulled in immediately. A mother leaves her 4 children ages 13, 10, 9 and 6 in their car in the mall parking lot and never comes back. Dicey, the oldest, decides that they must press on to Bridgeport where More...
Apr 28, 2010
Tracie
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Mar 07, 2010
Raymond
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 10, 2010
Jen
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The thing I love about re-reading my favorite YA books is the way the best ones grow with the reader. The last time I read this series, I was a teen myself. It fits in with many other great books about kids surviving in an urban (Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler) or a wild (My Side of the Mountain) environment without parents. I think on first read, I skipped over much of the internal growth of the main character to get to the "fun stuff."
What surprised me about revisiting Homecom More...
What surprised me about revisiting Homecom More...
Apr 18, 2009
Josiah
rated it:
There have been quite a few stories that contained bits and pieces of the kind of material to be found in "Homecoming", but quite honestly I would have to contend that not one of them can compare to this book.
Cynthia Voigt has masterfully crafted a story that is SO totally complete and resonates in every way possible that I truly think that not even the world's greatest author could have improved upon this book. The author touches on so many themes in such surprising depth that More...
Cynthia Voigt has masterfully crafted a story that is SO totally complete and resonates in every way possible that I truly think that not even the world's greatest author could have improved upon this book. The author touches on so many themes in such surprising depth that More...
Jan 07, 2012
Tiffany
rated it:
The reason why I chose this book is because it looked like a detailed and interesting novel. I thought it would be great to read about 4 children and there struggle to find a home after their mother abandons them. This story is about 4 children who are abandoned by their mom in front of a mall. With many struggles and difficulties they try to find a place to stay and take care of themselves. I think one of my most favorite quotes from the book would be "What good did it do, worrying and
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Feb 12, 2012
Bhavin
rated it:
"Homecoming" was a realistic book on four very unique children.
In the story of “Homecoming,” there are four brothers and sisters, Dicey, Maybeth, Sammy, and James (known as the Tillermans) who are searching for a home after their mom becomes mentally ill. After enduring many hardships, they finally find a home at a place they never knew about until now.
First of all, I believe the plot of "Homecoming" was well- developed and thought out. The story hit many More...
In the story of “Homecoming,” there are four brothers and sisters, Dicey, Maybeth, Sammy, and James (known as the Tillermans) who are searching for a home after their mom becomes mentally ill. After enduring many hardships, they finally find a home at a place they never knew about until now.
First of all, I believe the plot of "Homecoming" was well- developed and thought out. The story hit many More...
Aug 11, 2011
This is a great story with strong, interesting, realistic characters with real flaws. The themes of survival, family, and belonging are central, but issues of right and wrong occur as well. Dicey struggles with her responsibility as leader and you are in her head, wondering what they should do. You care for these kids and wish them happiness, but don't know how they will find it. I like how while they are tremendously loving and supportive, they also annoy and frustrate each other. Their gr
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Nov 05, 2010
Shawnanicole
rated it:
I enjoyed this book. One reason being is that in it you don't really know whats going to happen next. I believe I would recommend this book to another person, because i would want to share this wonderful book with someone else. I believe I would read this book again, because it draws my attention. This book never gets old to me. Some emotions that I went threw while reading this book is that it is very sad when the mom leaves the kids all alone in the car and leaves the children unknown. Another
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May 08, 2011
Cynthia Voigt has a way with description that puts the reader right there in the story. I could picture all the places where the kids crashed at night, and the physical appearance of each character, and of course, the taste of each of the hundred or so meals mentioned. I felt that for the most part, the characters' emotions and motives were realistic enough. Of course the younger siblings are going to miss their mother badly. The older two were probably more aware of her mental instability and h
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Oct 20, 2009
Megan
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In order to understand the Newbery-winning Dicey's Song (and the Newbery Honor Book that is number three in this series), you have to start here, and what a place it is to start! This was easily one of the best juvenile fiction books I've read. There were no slow points for me. The characters are beautifully sketched out throughout the course of the book, and very easy to like. The plot is unpredictable, yet grippingly real. It's a story full of heartache, but hope, too. Wonderful, spare writing
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Jan 25, 2011
Samantha
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The Tillerman family, consisting of Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy, is abandoned in a car by their mother. Their mother left with the only instructions that Dicey was in charge, and never came back. All Dicey knows is that they were headed for their Aunt Cilla's home in Bridgeport, and that's where she's headed to. Dicey gathers her younger siblings with her and they head off towards Bridgeport, using a map that they obtained. Along the way to Bridgeport, the Tillermans get assistance from kin
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Jan 04, 2011
Stevecrandell
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A wonderful story, clear enough for a pre-teen to understand, and serious enough for an adult to appreciate. The 4 Tillerman children – led by 13-year-old Dicey – are incredibly strong-willed. They battle each other with near as much energy as they stand against the world.
When their mother abandons them, they’re left with no home, and almost no money. Dicey knows that they need an adult to guarantee they can stay together as a family. And so she leads them on a hike across Connectic More...
When their mother abandons them, they’re left with no home, and almost no money. Dicey knows that they need an adult to guarantee they can stay together as a family. And so she leads them on a hike across Connectic More...
Nov 13, 2011
Gabrielle
rated it:
I took some notes from this novel every time I put this book down, what I came out with was Repetitive Loves talking about bottoms and describing in full detail Quite silly character development because she kept describing James as very intelligent and smart but she never gave examples in what he said On the other hand she over described Sammy as stubborn and didn't focus on other personality attributes But I have to say good imagery when describing scenes.
Overall it wasn't an outstanding More...
Overall it wasn't an outstanding More...
Oct 19, 2009
Rebekah
rated it:
Like many I was assigned this book in middle school. I don't think I ever really read it, like many in my school career. I don't know what I would have thought when I was close to Dicey's age but now, it's a joy to read.
It's heart-breaking, the abandonement but it's incredible how Dicey takes charge and keeps her family going. Her resoursefulness causes me to consider if I could be like her. Her love for her siblings is admirable as well. They cause her a lot of stress of course, in More...
It's heart-breaking, the abandonement but it's incredible how Dicey takes charge and keeps her family going. Her resoursefulness causes me to consider if I could be like her. Her love for her siblings is admirable as well. They cause her a lot of stress of course, in More...
Jun 16, 2011
Bryan
rated it:
My daughter brought this book home from school in the 8th grade. I was looking for something to read one day, my daughter got this book off of her shelf and told me to try it. Though I was 34 years old at the time I finished the first page and could not put it down. Homecoming is a very well written book that grabbed me from the first page until the last. All the way through every page of the book I wondered, what is Dicey going to do next to keep this family together. As I neared the end of the
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