The second book in this series proved to be more engaging for me right from the start.

The shorter page-length actually worked to the story's advantage, allowing for a more concise and focused narrative.

I thoroughly enjoyed observing the Tillerman family as they got to know their new home. It was fascinating to see how Dicey adapted to her evolving role within the family.

Their story is filled with charm and warmth, making them a truly enjoyable family to read about.

The author did a great job of bringing the characters to life and making the reader feel invested in their journey.

Overall, this second installment was a great addition to the series and left me eager to see what comes next for the Tillerman family.

Dicey is only 13, but she is wise beyond her years.

She has endured a hard life and is now fighting to keep her brothers and sister together. They are living with their grandmother, a woman they hardly know, yet their lives hold hope.

As the children and their grandmother navigate their relationship, a family may yet emerge. Despite all the survival skills Dicey has developed in her short life, she is not prepared to coexist with other authority figures or make friends.

Her tough exterior must crack for her to let others in, but she is afraid to relax because, as she says, the Tillerman's way is not "happily ever after."

Dicey is a strong young girl, but not without flaws. Her natural intelligence and perseverance are balanced by her shortcomings.

Her brothers and sister also have their own distinct personalities, and they are not caricatures. They are a product of their environment and genetics, but they are still just children, and young ones at that.

The author also shows the struggle their grandmother faces in adjusting to life with children after many years of living alone.

The beauty of this book lies in what it shows rather than what it tells. Much of the story is revealed through understanding and interpreting the interactions between the characters.

First, we have the opportunity to intuit the situation, and then the characters will think or speak about it. By the time the full picture is revealed, Dicey's situation (and that of her siblings and grandmother) will move you to tears.

I was so invested in the story that I now want to go back and read the other books in the series (this is book 2).

Like the first in the Tillerman cycle, 'Homecoming,' I revisited 'Dicey's Song' on compact disc.

That auditory revisiting was perhaps even more gratifying than the completely satisfying initial read. Barbara Caruso is especially impressive as the narrator here because the character of Gram is so much more central to the story. Caruso absolutely nails Gram's voice.

You might not have to have read 'Homecoming' to appreciate 'Dicey's Song' but it certainly would help. The first book ends after the Tillerman children, shepherded by their thirteen-year-old oldest sister, the incomparable Dicey, finish their homeless summer odyssey by finding their absent mother's childhood home. It's a rambling old farmhouse on Chesapeake Bay, on a worn-down old farm ruled over by Gram, their acerbic, laconic, and, surprisingly, comforting grandmother.

The journey to the farm unquestionably sets up this recounting of the autumn and winter that follow. The Tillerman children and their grandmother are settling in with each other, and with the town and schools of Crisfield, Maryland. It definitely enriched my understanding of Dicey's struggles with home ec and English teachers in her first year of high school.

As in 'Homecoming,' Voigt fills in the tale with such rich characterization and sharp observation. 'Dicey's Song' can stand alone as the intensely resonant novel it is.

If 'Homecoming' is about the Tillerman children's encounters with strangers, 'Dicey's Song' is about the children and their grandmother making deeper connections. As Gram says, 'holding on.' Besides getting to know Dicey, James, Maybeth, Sammy and Gram better, we are introduced to grocer Millie Tydings and piano teacher Isaac Lingerle. These adults surprise the reader with their depth of empathy and understanding. There's also Dicey's musical admirer, Jeff Greene, and her emerging friend, the vibrant Wilhelmina Smiths, who fairly leaps off the pages to grab your attention - and Dicey's.

Especially relevant in this new chapter of the Tillerman children's lives for me, because I help kids in exactly this area, were Maybeth's difficulties with learning how to read. Ten-year-old James's analysis of how Maybeth has been taught and what might be a better course is as incisive a condemnation of whole language, the dominant pedagogy of the novel's 80s timeframe, and as insightful an understanding of dyslexia, as I just read in neuroscientist Stanislas Dehaene's 'Reading in the Brain.'

Learning to read is just one of the fascinating thematic threads that Voigt weaves into her sumptuous story. It's an absolutely wonderful book for children and adults that starts with a story that just ended and ends with a story that is just beginning.

Highly recommended for sixth graders and up.

Damn,

Dicey is truly awesome.

She is a character who embodies strength, courage, and determination. Her actions and decisions are often bold and risky, but she always manages to come out on top. Dicey's ability to think on her feet and adapt to any situation is truly remarkable. She never backs down from a challenge and is always willing to fight for what she believes in. Whether it's protecting her family or standing up to injustice, Dicey is a force to be reckoned with. Her story is one of inspiration and empowerment, showing that anyone can overcome obstacles and achieve their goals if they have the courage and the will to do so. Damn, Dicey is awesome indeed.

This was a truly beautiful story, and it is most definitely a worthy addition to the Newbery register. It happens to be the second book in the Tillerman Cycle penned by Cynthia Voigt. I have not yet read the first one, but even though Dicey's Song stood up remarkably well on its own, now I find myself filled with curiosity and an intense desire to read the first installment!

After what seems like an extremely harrowing journey in Homecoming, Dicey and her siblings have finally arrived at the run-down farm in southern Maryland that belongs to their grandmother. The grandmother has been leading a secluded life ever since the death of her husband and is regarded as a bit of an eccentric by most of the local residents. She, almost reluctantly, takes in her daughter's children. And as time progresses, through a great deal of trial and error, they gradually become a family. The children learn to trust again, and Gram starts to emerge from her shell.

I am eagerly looking forward to reading more of The Tillerman Cycle. It seems to hold many more wonderful stories and character developments that I can't wait to discover.

This book was filled with a great deal of brave growing up experiences by all the characters.

Each character faced their own set of challenges and obstacles, yet they all found the courage within themselves to persevere and grow.

There were moments of fear and uncertainty, but they did not let those emotions hold them back.

Instead, they took risks, made mistakes, and learned from them.

Through their experiences, they became stronger, more confident, and more resilient.

The book shows that growing up is not always easy, but it is possible to do so bravely.

It is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the ability to overcome adversity.

Overall, this book is a great read for anyone who is looking for inspiration and motivation to face their own challenges and grow into the best version of themselves.

Picked this up because I know I have this book at home. I remembered her Home Ec. apron, but not much else.

I was astonished how good this book was. I liked how each of the four children had very different, very defined characters. Dicey was really smart, yet she pushed people away. Mina and Jeff, on the other hand, persist in trying to be her friend despite her unfriendliness.

I like how their life path doesn't fit into the prescribed stereotypes that kids' lives seem to follow now. (Do well in school to get into a good college... etc. Of course, in 1983, college in America was not what it is now.) It was kind of surprising that her F in Home Ec wasn't a cause for angst, and even the C+ in English was only an issue because she knew she had done much better.

I liked that they had to call each other on (landline) phones (and Gram didn't even have a telephone at first!). They could wonder things without immediately having to go and look them up.

I didn't like that Gram took Dicey to Boston without telling her that her mother was dying. And I thought it was ridiculous that Gram would spend money she didn't have to have her cremated. But there's your character flaw.

The "essays" that Mina and Dicey write are both character sketches, not essays. Way more interesting than any essay. Also, I learned the possible conflicts as "man vs. man," "man vs. nature," "man vs. society," and "man vs. self." I don't know what that English teacher was thinking.

I feel like I should read Homecoming now, since this author is so good.

I truly enjoyed this book a great deal more than I had initially anticipated. I have a deep affection for Gram and Wilhelmina. In fact, I'm adding this book to my to-reread list, and I'm seriously considering delving into the next book(s?) about the Tillermans.

My farm grandma was indeed a unique individual who did things in her own distinct way. She didn't impart as much profound wisdom as Ab did, for instance, regarding reaching out with open hands. However, she did share a wonderful sense of joy and an amazing ability to be playful. We would lie down in the yard and search for four-leaf clovers (well, she was the one who actually found them; I never did). Or she would teach me how to whistle through a grass blade or use twine and a button to create a spinner. And she always had a few pansies blooming in one corner of the large vegetable garden. Also, we had chickens for one year, but when they proved to be too much work, we simply stopped. It was just an experiment, and it's perfectly okay that it didn't succeed.

Music is also a very crucial element in this book (and in the previous one as well). Of course, I had to look up one of the songs, which turns out to have two titles, one of which is The Riddle Song (naturally). But I'm also curious about the others. I suspect they might all be folk tunes, but perhaps not.

This is a great book, although perhaps it is a little on the long side.

The story had the potential to be truly pathetic and self-pitying, but it was far from that.

In fact, it was quite the opposite, filled with engaging characters and an interesting plot.

Now, I am eager to read the other books in the series. I was unaware that there were so many; I had only heard of the first three.

However, the cover of this book is truly dreadful. It gives the impression that it belongs to the exact type of book that this is not, namely the pathetic and sorry one.

It's a shame that the cover doesn't do justice to the wonderful story within.

Nonetheless, I am looking forward to delving into the rest of the series and seeing what other adventures await.

The book "Dicey's Song" was a sequel to the book "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt.

In this book, it vividly depicted a great deal of character development among Dicey and her siblings.

From my personal perspective, the book "Dicey's Song" didn't have as many extremely dramatic events as it did in "Homecoming". Instead, it presented to the readers a more ordinary life for the kids.

They faced the common challenges and joys of daily life, which made the story more relatable.

Despite this, "Dicey's Song" was still highly enjoyable to read, just like "Homecoming".

The author's writing style was engaging, and the characters were well-developed and endearing.

It was a great continuation of the story that left the readers eager to know more about Dicey and her family.

Overall, both books were excellent and值得一读.

Those worries, such as how much Dicey should sacrifice for her brothers and sister to have a home together, or if she was pushing them too hard, about the number of miles they had covered and where they were headed - all the other concerns had come and gone.

The worry about food, however, had haunted her throughout the summer and perhaps always would.

The second book in the Tillerman Family series didn't engage me as strongly as the first one did. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable continuation of the family's attempt to rebuild their lives after a traumatic summer and start learning what it means to be a normal kid.

"Some people are always outsiders, no matter where they are."

For Dicey, there are more changes taking place, not only emotional and environmental but also physical. Due to this, I can understand parents' hesitation in deciding whether or not to let their children read this book. If you're okay with "Hey God, Are You There? It's Me, Margaret," then this book will be fine. You get more of their mother's story, and it's not a fairy-tale ending, but it was an anticipated one.

"[James] couldn't see how big troubles had little beginnings, just like little troubles."

Ultimately, this was a pleasant continuation of how the family heals and grows. However, in my personal view, it's not essential to the first book and definitely not as good as the first.

This feels like a fanfic of Homecoming, which, to be honest, I respect a lot. Haha, what a powerful move to indulge in the universe one has created. It doesn't seem to add anything truly meaningful to Homecoming, except perhaps giving us a bit more time with Dicey and seeing how she's doing. (Spoiler alert: She's not okay!)

I like the folksy vibe here. We don't really shine a bright light on the trauma these children have just endured, but you can still catch glimpses of it in small ways. It's nice to see them settling in and building their relationship with their grandma.

On another note, there are definitely some elements from the 80's that haven't aged well. However, I don't think they were meant to be malicious. The way Maybeth's dyslexia (and likely autism) is discussed shows that the book was likely intended to be good-natured. They love her and talk about her with curiosity and patience, even though they don't have the vocabulary to fully understand what's going on with her. The same can be said for Dicey's gender-related issues.

But there's also some blatant fatphobia going on and a lot of handwaving when it comes to Mama's illness, which just doesn't make sense. Dicey even says she doesn't think you can die from being crazy, and then her mom dies from being crazy! I found this troubling in Homecoming as well. Their mom gets sick, and the resolution is basically, "Oh well, guess we'll just leave her in the hospital and never deal with it!" I'm not being too judgmental because it feels like a very 80's approach to using mental illness as a book motif without giving it the nuance or research it deserves, assuming that research was available at the time. But they act like she died, and when she actually does die, it's like, "It's better this way." Seriously? LOL. Okay then.

I would have loved it if we could have taken some of the time spent repeatedly reminding us how Mr. Lingerle is fat and eats a lot and used it to explore more nuance with Dicey's mom. Maybe find a better resolution than just killing her off or explain what was wrong and why she died. It's so 80's that the text acknowledges that Mr. Lingerle is a person and is self-conscious about his size, and yet every time he's in a scene, it's just one comment after another about how big and fat he is.

Anyway, I'm not trying to be overly critical or judge it through a 2022 lens, but some of this stuff was really wild and made me laugh.