Dicey's Song by cynthia voigt

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is quite possibly my favorite book.

I first read it when I was a kid, and at that time, I didn't fully realize how much I idolized the title character, Dicey. She was an extremely strong and independent girl, who was different from those around her and didn't really care much about what others thought.

Now, reading the book as an adult, I have come to the realization that Dicey was the character I most desired to be like when I was a child.

What's also really cool is that in the other books of the Tillerman Cycle, namely Come a Stranger and A Solitary Blue, the story is told from the perspectives of two of Dicey's friends. There are a couple of scenes from Dicey's Song that are presented through Mina's eyes or Jeff's eyes. This makes these books not only interesting to read but also great for a lesson on Point of View (PoV), especially if you happen to teach language arts in middle school, just like I used to do.

The different perspectives add depth and richness to the overall story, allowing readers to see Dicey and the world she lives in from various angles.

It's truly a remarkable series that has continued to captivate me throughout the years.

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UnNombreRandom

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I absolutely adored this book due to its captivating characters and the profound life lessons it imparted.

Thirteen-year-old Dicey Tillerman, along with her younger brothers James and Sammy, and their younger sister Maybeth, had to start living with Gram after their mother abandoned them. In a previous book, Dicey courageously led her siblings across several states to arrive at their astonished grandmother's home.

In "Dicey's Song," the Tillermans gradually become a unified family. Gram has to modify many of her eccentric and secluded ways and open her heart (and some of her past) to her grandchildren. Dicey, now starting high school, must share her siblings whom she had been so competently responsible for over the years, even before their mother deserted them. Dicey had built a protective shell around all of them, especially herself, but now they need to allow others into their lives to truly thrive and be happy.

These are far from easy tasks, and Cynthia Voight's thoughtful and descriptive narrative doesn't sugarcoat them as being simple. She treats the characters and their individual struggles with the care, intricacies, and depth that each one merits.

Themes of letting go and holding on are intricately woven throughout the book. How does one determine when to do each? When to do both? These are questions that are relevant and worthwhile for all readers, regardless of their ages, although middle school students are the primary audience.

Although the book has five sequels, I must confess that I am content to stop here. I appreciate how each of the characters has evolved and the hopes they are pursuing. There is a great deal of realism depicted in the Tillerman family; I choose to take a mental snapshot and keep the Tillermans in my mind and heart as they concluded in "Dicey's Song."

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Morpheus935

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Newbery Medal Winner--1983

This book was truly outstanding. I initially had concerns that I might have to read the first book to fully comprehend and relish this one. However, that was not the case at all.

Although I may eventually go back and explore the Tillerman children's journey to their grandmother's house, this second book offered sufficient background information. As a result, I could effortlessly understand their circumstances and took great pleasure in observing their growth and transformation during their first year or so in a stable home.

The story was a beautiful blend of humor, sadness, and realism, making it highly relatable. Moreover, it possesses a timeless quality. There is very little mention of technology or pop culture, which means that children from various decades can pick it up and empathize with Dicey's emotions - her sadness, anger, and frustration.

The scene where Dicey's essay is read aloud is especially moving, as is the journey that Dicey and her grandmother undertake to visit the children's mother. Overall, it is an absolutely wonderful story that leaves a lasting impression.

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xNihalx

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Absolutely as lovely as everyone says.

In Dicey's Song, the Tillerman children are embarking on the journey of learning to call Chrisfield home. It's not a seamless transition; there are definitely some bumps along the way.

I just adore the feel of Cynthia Voigt's Tillerman Cycle. The cadence of the writing is like a gentle melody that draws you in, and the introspection of Dicey adds a layer of depth. There's a certain nostalgic quality to these books that could be because they remind me of the books I devoured as a child, or perhaps the nostalgia is inherent in the story itself. Maybe it's a combination of both.

Cynthia Voigt is a master at mixing sweetness and sorrow, creating a beautiful and bittersweet tapestry. I finished the book feeling a profound sense of melancholy.

I truly love all the characters in this book. Gram remains a favorite, with her wisdom and warmth, but I also really enjoyed the new characters that were introduced in this novel. Their voices are so distinct and powerful, making them feel incredibly authentic. And the fact that the book is set on the Eastern Shore gives it an extra charm. It makes me feel like I have a personal connection to the series, as if I'm a part of their world.

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Zurel

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

**"A Great Experience"**

I recently had an encounter that left me with a rating of 3 3/4 stars.

It was a truly remarkable event that had its highs and lows. The initial impression was quite positive. The atmosphere was inviting, and the staff seemed friendly and helpful.

However, as the experience progressed, there were a few minor hiccups. For example, the service could have been a bit faster at times. But despite these small drawbacks, the overall quality of the experience was still very good.

The food, in particular, was delicious. Each dish was prepared with care and presented beautifully. The flavors were well-balanced, and there was a great variety to choose from.

In conclusion, although it wasn't a perfect 5-star experience, I would still highly recommend this place to others. The combination of a pleasant atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious food makes it well worth a visit.

I look forward to returning in the future and seeing if they can improve on the few areas that need attention. 3 3/4 stars is a solid rating, and I believe they have the potential to reach even higher.

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brooke9000

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I still deeply love this family and their remarkable journey as they navigate through the numerous challenges that come their way while steadfastly striving to remain true to one another.

It is truly especially nice to witness how the book delicately tackles the complex issue of how the world reacts to the various differences that exist among people. These differences include disparities in learning ability, where some may struggle while others excel.

The book also explores the topic of body weight, highlighting the often unfair judgments and stigmas that individuals face based on their physical appearance.

Race is another aspect that is addressed, showing the impact of discrimination and prejudice on the lives of the characters.

Moreover, the financial differences within the family and society at large are also brought to the forefront, demonstrating how money can sometimes create divisions and hardships.

Overall, this book offers a profound and thought-provoking look at the diverse challenges that this family endures and the ways in which they manage to stay connected and true to themselves in the face of it all.

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Govihiv515

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I was truly astounded by this book.

The story is so quiet and timeless that it immediately captured my heart.

I have a penchant for reading stories about kids who are facing real hardships, rather than the watered-down "problems" that are so commonly depicted.

This book's greatest asset lies in its character development.

Here, we are dealing with a rather extensive cast of protagonists - all four Tillerman children and their grandmother - along with several significant supporting characters.

And they are all exquisitely fleshed out.

Their motives are diverse and highly believable, and their reactions to trauma vary accurately from one individual to the next.

Voigt does an outstanding job of capturing the ambivalence of sibling relationships and the challenge of rediscovering oneself after a period of transition.

I firmly believe that late-blooming kids of all genders can identify with Dicey.

Her experiences have made her prematurely wise in certain areas, yet her body and interests have been somewhat stunted in the process.

I know for a fact that I would have loved to read about a girl who, just like me, went around in overalls with no shirt until almost high school.

Overall, this is a complex and sensitively crafted story - one that I truly wish I had read during my成长 years.

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big_mike_1990

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

"Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes them meaningful."

This book is part of a series known as the Tillerman Cycle. It has a medium length, consisting of 247 pages. The author employs a technique similar to cliffhangers, but not exactly the same. She withholds details, holds them back, holds and holds, until later in the book. Then, she gradually reveals the pieces to the reader, bit by bit, until all these elements come together to form something, whether it's sad or happy.

There are four children named Dicey, Sammy, James, and Maybeth. They live happily with their gram. However, despite their present happiness at home, their family never seems to have a truly happily ever after. First, their mom abandons them in a parking lot, with only their aunt Villa's place, which is weeks away, as an option. Next, they finally reach there but end up having to live with their gram anyway. Fortunately, this isn't so bad as they now have a home with dinner on the table every night. But just when things seem to be going well, Dicey and gram have to take a trip to the mental hospital where their mom is, and more sad events seem to unfold.

Even though all these bad things keep happening, Dicey is strong. She may feel upset or sad, but she perseveres. She is a human girl who isn't afraid to act as she pleases.

The theme of the book is likely about letting go, which is a very powerful concept. The setting of the story is in the 1900s.

I truly loved this book because of the impact it had on me and the potential it has to impact others. The love depicted in this book can bring out a new side in people and definitely did so in some of the characters.

It's a story that shows how challenges can be overcome and how love can prevail in the face of adversity.

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Tillerman Cycle #2

Dicey's Song

cynthia voigt barbara caruso

This edition

Dicey Tillerman

James Tillerman

Sammy Tillerman

Maybeth Tillerman

Abigail Tillerman

Millie Tydings

More editions

About the author

cynthia voigt

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