I have always been deeply impressed by Dicey's remarkable resilience. It is truly inspiring to see how she copes with the numerous challenges and difficulties that come her way.

What I loved even more was her beautiful relationship with her siblings and her grandmother. The bond they share is so strong and heartwarming. They support each other through thick and thin, and their love for one another is palpable.

The fact that this story was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1983 is a testament to its quality and significance. It is a story that not only entertains but also teaches valuable lessons about family, love, and perseverance.

Reading about Dicey and her family has made me appreciate the importance of having a strong support system and the power of love in overcoming all obstacles. It is a story that will stay with me for a long time.

Someone I know gave this book 1 star, but unfortunately, I can't ask them why as they read it 7 years ago.

As I began to read it myself, I think I have an inkling of the reason. DICEY'S SONG is a beautifully crafted and well-written novel that delves deep into character development.

However, it is important to note that it is a product of its time, which was the early 1980s. In the story, you can see things like the country kids sitting together, the blacks, and the town kids. Such a description might not be as acceptable today.

The word "retarded" is also used, as in Dicey's younger sister has been wondered to be such. There is also a line (unfortunately, I don't have the page number) where Dicey reminds herself that just because a particular teacher is fat doesn't mean he's stupid.

Despite these anachronistic phrases and words, the story itself is wonderful. It is truly a coming-of-age tale about a thirteen-year-old girl realizing that her younger siblings may not need her as much while also coming to terms with her own changing body.

Dicey tries to navigate her role as provider/protector while being somewhere between a kid and an adult herself. She is uncomfortable with both her role and her body and doesn't know how to make friends. Her grandmother tries to help where she can but is herself trying to figure out how to be a good guardian to four children.

I love how so much of this book is about change, growth, making mistakes, and trying again. It is really a beautiful story.

Content Notes:

Sex? No, it is only mentioned that Dicey has growing breasts (she's in 8th grade in this book).

Profanity/Swearing? None, unless you count the outdated word of "retarded".

Religious elements? A girl in school is the daughter of one of the town pastors.

LGBTQ characters? Not specified.

Could a conservative Christian school add this title?

I don't see why not. I am considering putting in a note at the beginning to remind students that some of the words are a product of their time.

When I was at the library, my eyes landed on the spine of this book. I noticed how well worn and tattered it was, which was a sure sign that the book had been checked out many times.

I began to scratch the back of my head, wondering, "Do I really want to read this again and run the risk of ruining my image of the book?" Despite my doubts, I took the plunge and started reading. And once I did, all my doubts faded away. This book ALWAYS makes my heart go all fuzzy.

Dicey's Song is the sequel to Homecoming (another great read), but I had read this one first and had no trouble following it. I'm certain that many young adult readers might find this book somewhat boring compared to all the high-action books we have now. (Don't get me wrong, I love reading those too!) But every once in a while, I like reading something that touches on what life is all about.

I'm convinced that the Tillerman family is real. When I read this moving story for the first time, I wanted to be Dicey. You can understand her and sympathize with her, even though she is a little rough around the edges. She doesn't care much about what other people think and strives to do right by her family and herself. Being only twelve years old in the book, this is no small feat. She is really wise beyond her years. Every single character is drawn out perfectly, from funny Sammy all the way to tough-loving Gram.

I can feel the love and care that comes from this family through the pages. Voight achieves all this without using any kind of pretentious language. That's real talent. I have no complaints and wouldn't change a single word.

My review doesn't even begin to do this book justice. It's a story that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

When Dicey's mother finds herself unable to care for her children any longer, Dicey and her three siblings are forced to go and live with their grandmother.

Life for this family is far from easy. They have very little money, and now there are five mouths to feed. It's a situation that is nothing like the idyllic world of The Waltons.

Dicey, in particular, is sullen and withdrawn. She is a loner who takes little joy in anything. It's an interesting portrayal of a hard life, but it's not very uplifting.

One can't help but feel sorry for Dicey and her siblings as they struggle to adapt to their new circumstances. The lack of money and the challenges of living with their grandmother must be difficult for them.

However, perhaps there is hope for them. Maybe they will find a way to make the best of their situation and create a new life for themselves. Only time will tell.

This book demands a profound exploration of characters. As the plot progresses (albeit at a pace that some might consider sluggish), Dicey's astute perception unveils her evolving world to the readers. She is a tenacious and robust narrator, shielded by an "I don't care what you think" identity. However, this isn't disrespectful; rather, it's a matter of prioritization. Having endured truly arduous experiences, she doesn't fritter away her time on ordinary concerns but focuses on the significant matters.

Yet, Dicey isn't the sole character worthy of examination. Voigt has assembled a diverse cast of interesting personalities: Dicey's siblings, her grandmother and mother, her classmates, and the teachers. Each individual has their own struggle and a unique way of confronting it.

If you allow it, this book will instruct you to view people with greater compassion and understanding.

(Sidenote: You don't necessarily have to read the first book in this series to comprehend this one. It can be read independently.)

Oh boy, what a truly wonderful and tough read this was!

I had the pleasure of reading this amazing 1982 Newbery Award winner as part of the August #yearofya 1980s & 1990s books (either written in or about that era).

Dicey has had an incredibly tough time. After her mother disappeared and left them all alone, she managed to bring her brothers to her grandmother's house.

Voigt's characters are truly remarkable. From Dicey herself to her grandmother and her entire family (Maybeth, Sam, and James), as well as her friends (Jeff, Mina, and her teachers), they all felt so real and powerful. I absolutely loved getting to know these people as I delved into the pages of this book.

Dicey and her grandmother are both tough nuts to crack. They can be harsh in their responses to others and have a difficult time expressing their emotions, but they are fiercely protective and caring of their family and friends.

I also liked the mention of Sears Roebuck as a store and how James brought up dyslexia as he was trying to help his sister Maybeth succeed in school.

This book offers a searingly honest look at family, showing both its resilience and fragility. It truly shows the lengths these characters will go to in order to keep each other safe, happy, and loved.

It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

This novel titled Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt is a captivating story.

It centers around a thirteen-year-old girl who lives with her two siblings and her grandmother. Sadly, she doesn't have a father, and her mother is confined to a mental hospital. Her mother's illness has significantly altered Dicey's life. She has become more accountable for herself and her family.

Dicey is an extremely hardworking girl. Whenever she has a goal in mind, she focuses intently on achieving it and is the kind of person who would never think of giving up. However, she faces numerous problems in her life.

She exhibits motherly instincts, taking care of her siblings and grandmother, dealing with financial difficulties, and still striving to do her best in school and maintain good grades.

Throughout the story, her mother's condition deteriorates to a critical stage, and she doesn't have many days left. Dicey and her family travel to Boston where her mother is hospitalized. They all have to learn to come to terms with the situation and let go when she passes away. This experience makes the children and their grandmother emotionally stronger.

What I appreciate about this book is how the author effectively uses ethos, pathos, and presents Dicey's perspectives, allowing me to understand her life better. Moreover, it is a novel that many people can relate to as they may have faced similar situations of not having close relatives around and going through tough times.

It imparts valuable lessons to readers about responsibility and what one can do to keep the family united in such circumstances. Hopefully, people will realize that they should not take things for granted, such as job opportunities, working hard in school, and having a bright future, as these can disappear suddenly.

Y'all. I'm doing it.

After I post this, I am all caught up in my reviews!!!

If anyone out there is behind in reviews, let me be your motivation.

YOU CAN DO IT. Let's get me to the finish line!

Voight's Tillerman Cycle follows the Tillerman siblings (Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy) as they learn to live with their grandmother, after being abandoned by their mother.

Their grandmother is the quintessential recluse but has opened her home and heart to her estranged grandchildren.

They are all learning to live with each other and navigate a new life, where Dicey at thirteen no longer has to solely be responsible for their survival but gets to start to focus on who she is, and who she wants to be.

This was some pretty heavy subject material to read so young, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it then.

My childhood was pretty unremarkable, so the fact that I got to put myself into the shoes of someone with a harder hill to climb hopefully contributed to my development.

I mean, I was also into the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, but I think there are more analogues to my own life to Dicey's than to growing up on the prairie (other than being like yay, I have electricity and toilets).

Back to Voight: her writing is great for YA, plain and straightforward, but she doesn't shy away from hard topics and really explores the emotions and motivations of each character, so you can clearly understand what they are going through.

And Gram, she is the toughest ol' bird of them all, but she manages to both give Dicey room to be a kiddo, but also prepare her for adulthood as she must navigate both caring for her siblings, and letting them grow up.

It's a sweet series and a real study in coming-of-age, so I'm glad that I'm revisiting it and might try to nudge my 12 year old to give them a try.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys YA literature that delves into real-life issues and the complex emotions of its characters.

It's a must-read for those who want to explore the themes of family, identity, and growing up.

Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed!

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.

June 2021 re-read.
I have a very hazy memory of the details from my previous reading of this. It gave the impression of being like Part Two of Homecoming and served as an excellent continuation of the story. I truly desire more time spent with this family!
The question that now presents itself is... should I read the next three installments in the cycle as they are numbered, which are about the tertiary characters, or should I skip ahead to the last two volumes in order to stay closer to the Tillerman's?
On one hand, reading in sequence might provide a more comprehensive understanding of the overall narrative and the development of the supporting characters. On the other hand, skipping to the last two volumes would allow me to focus more intently on the main family that I have grown so attached to. It's a difficult decision to make.

This is yet another outstanding book within this series.

I am truly happy for these kids and, in fact, for all the individuals in this book.

Unlike the initial book in the series, which was filled with the struggles of survival and hardship, this one delved more into the lingering effects of those experiences on the children's lives and the new difficulties they encountered while adapting to a new family and way of life.

Even though we still don't have a clear understanding of the specific affliction their mother endured, at least we now have a conclusion regarding her part of the story.

I eagerly anticipate the remaining installments of this series and would wholeheartedly recommend it to others.

It offers a captivating and emotional journey that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

The characters are well-developed, and the plot is both compelling and thought-provoking.

Whether you're a fan of the genre or simply looking for a great read, this series is definitely worth checking out.

I read and re-read Homecoming and Dicey's Song books frequently throughout my childhood. These two books had a profound impact on me. I could vividly imagine the challenges and hardships that Dicey and her siblings faced. I sympathized and empathized with Dicey on a deep level. Her struggles made me realize the importance of family and perseverance.

What I admired most about Dicey was her inner strength. Despite the difficult circumstances, she never gave up. She was determined to take care of her family and find a place where they could belong. I took strength from her strength.每当我遇到困难时，我就会想起Dicey，她的勇气和坚韧激励着我继续前进。

These books not only entertained me but also taught me valuable life lessons. They made me more empathetic towards others and gave me the confidence to face my own challenges. I will always cherish these books and the memories they hold.