I have an unwavering love for the Tillerman world. If given the opportunity, I would most likely choose to live within it. I first delved into this captivating book in 2001, and ever since, I have revisited it numerous times. My random thoughts often drift back to this remarkable story.

After the Tillermans' arduous journey to their grandmother's house in Homecoming, Dicey initially retreats into herself at the start of this installment. However, with some gentle prodding from the feisty Gram, our heroic protagonist eventually re-engages in the painstaking, loving, and meticulous task of understanding each of her sibling's characters and individual needs. The family faces many challenges as they strive to adapt to their new home in the Maryland's Chesapeake Bay. Life with their grandmother does not safeguard them from hardships or the tragedy that many of us had been fearing since the first book in the series. By the conclusion of this book, though, I am filled with confidence in the possibility of eventual happy endings. The bonds that hold this family together are like thick, richly-textured fibers that can never be severed. There is so much to cherish about the sibling relationships in this book! Additionally, I adore the way that Jeff and Mina's storylines seamlessly intertwine with the Tillermans' lives, and how these characters' loyalty and quiet strength mirror the same qualities and values that we observe in the siblings themselves.

Other aspects that stand out for me include the ongoing thread of folk songs and the shared joy of singing. The implied pace of the Tillermans' lives allows them enough time to focus on all the important things. There is also a sense of a worn, yet comfortable sparseness in the Tillerman home. I'm not sure how Voigt manages to achieve this effect, but I absolutely love it! And let's not forget everyone's remarkable work ethic. I simply cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is truly one of my all-time favorites.

Nothing about these books is easy.

There are gut-punches galore. The stories are filled with moments that hit you right in the core, making you feel a wide range of emotions.

And too many "she snapped." This phrase is used quite often, perhaps a bit too much, but it does add a certain intensity to the characters' actions and dialogues.

Consider having people "say" things! It would be nice to have more variety in the way the characters communicate. Instead of just using "she snapped," there could be other ways to describe how they express themselves.

But it is stellar writing, and extraordinarily moving. Despite the few drawbacks, the overall quality of the writing is outstanding. The author has a way of pulling you into the story and making you care deeply about the characters and their fates. The books have the power to touch your heart and leave a lasting impression.

Overall, these books are a must-read for anyone who loves great literature.

Dicey was well aware that she was sitting motionless on a train, traversing the night. Her hands tightly encircled the wooden box containing her momma's ashes. However, she had the distinct sensation that a wind blew through her hands, whisking even Momma away. What did that leave her with then? Just the wind and her empty hands. The wind and Dicey.

The second novel in the Tillerman Cycle picks up precisely where Homecoming concluded. Dicey Tillerman and her three siblings are residing with their reclusive grandmother on a secluded farm in Maryland. Here, thirteen-year-old Dicey is engaged in restoring an old sailboat while simultaneously grappling with numerous family issues. Her mother is in a catatonic state in a psychiatric hospital in Boston, her sister Maybeth is exhibiting signs of Mrs Tillerman's insanity, and Dicey is deeply concerned that her grandmother lacks sufficient funds to care for the four young Tillermans. Meanwhile, Dicey herself is struggling with the difficult task of letting go of her dying mother while still holding onto her three younger siblings.

This book was rather good, yet I had a greater preference for the previous novel in the series, Homecoming. Although overall it was extremely well-written, there were a few segments that made one wince slightly. For instance, the description of the fall day: It was one of those first fall days that look colder than they really are. But it really was cold. And also when Dicey first sees Jeff Greene (the main character in the next novel): His thin face had a light tan and then later when she sees him again nearer the end: His skin was pale, as if he didn't get outside much. These small details seemed a bit inconsistent and detracted slightly from the overall reading experience.

This was a slow starter for me. At the beginning, I found it a bit difficult to get into the story. However, as I continued reading, I gradually started to enjoy it.

By the end, I had a certain level of appreciation for it. Nevertheless, the ending felt a little heavy handed for my taste. It seemed a bit too forceful in getting its point across.

I couldn't help but wonder if I would have enjoyed it more as a kid. Probably so. When I was younger, I might have adored the main character's toughness. There was something quite appealing about the way the character persevered through difficulties.

And I do think that I should have read these books in order. But unfortunately, there was no time for that. I had to jump right into this one without the proper context. Despite that, I still managed to get something out of it.

The Story

Dicey's Song is a captivating tale that centers around an overly responsible eldest daughter. After moving in with their granny, the story delves into how she interacts with her family. Their mother's presence in an institution leaves them grappling with feelings of abandonment and the guilt of being unable to assist her. The narrative exudes a very mature atmosphere, one that children in such a situation are likely to experience. It's the feeling of having an excessive burden of responsibility thrust upon them, forcing them to grow up at an accelerated pace. This book may not necessarily hold universal appeal among all children, as the subject matter isn't overly enjoyable to read about. However, it is undeniably well-written, with a细腻的描绘 of the characters' emotions and experiences.

The Audiobook

This audiobook is of reasonable quality. It neither significantly enhances nor detracts from the story. It fails to leave a particularly memorable impression. The narration is competent, but it lacks that certain something that would make it truly stand out. Nevertheless, it does justice to the written word and can be a convenient way to experience the story for those who prefer listening.

I truly loved this book. It was such an engaging and captivating read that left a lasting impression on me.

As I finished reading it, I couldn't help but wonder why it isn't in my library. It seems like a book that would be a great addition to my collection, one that I could revisit and enjoy over and over again.

Perhaps it was overlooked when I was building my library, or maybe it's a relatively new release that I haven't had the chance to discover yet. Whatever the reason, I feel a sense of disappointment that it's not sitting on my bookshelf.

I think I will have to make it a priority to find a copy and add it to my library. That way, I can have easy access to it whenever I want to lose myself in its pages once more.

**Book Review: Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt**

ENJOYMENT: 4.5/5
I was truly captivated by this book. I felt a deep connection with James as I related to his love for using his mind. The bearded woodcarver also had a special charm that touched my heart. Dicey, the smart and sympathetic protagonist, added another layer of appeal. There are numerous reasons why I liked this book. It's not just one big reason but a combination of many little ones that made me satisfied by the end. It made me think and feel, which I really appreciate.

MEANING: 4.5/5
The story follows the lives of all four Tillerman kids - Dicey, the leader; James, the brains; Maybeth, the musician; and Sammy, the scrapper - in their new home with Gram. At its core, it's about Dicey trying to figure out when and how to set anchor. Gram's answer, "I don't know. It's not so simple," shows the complexity of life's problems. This book is more about "coming of wisdom" than a typical "coming of age" story. Voigt respects her readers by not giving simple answers.

AUTHENTICITY: 4/5
The kids' freedom to wander might seem strange to today's more protected generation. The absence of technology is also noticeable. However, the characters still have an inner realness that doesn't age. Dicey's struggle with forgetting and remembering strikes a chord that everyone can understand.

READABILITY: 4/5
The plot moves at a good pace, and the sentences are easy to understand. Overall, it's a smooth read. However, I have a few minor complaints. The book covers are terrible, and none of them would make me want to pick up the book. The guitar boy's part in the story feels a bit off and could be improved. Also, some of the language feels dated, with the use of words like "r*tarded," "fat," and "stupid."

ENDURANCE: 3/5
This story still has some resonance, but it also shows its age in some ways. It's a story that adults can enjoy, but I'm not sure if it will appeal to younger readers as much. It takes a while to get into, and the lack of action-packed scenes might turn some people off. However, there is still an audience for whom this book will feel like home.

TOTAL: 4/5
CONTENT FLAGS: Some coarse language; occasional discussion of female body development

Newbery Medal Year: 1983
Grade Level: 5.0
Accelerated Reader Points: 11

What a truly wonderful second book in this remarkable series!

This book is an absolute joy to read as it flows effortlessly, allowing the reader to easily step into the shoes of the characters.

Each character is likeable in their own unique and quirky ways, which adds a great deal of charm to the story.

Interestingly, this novel places more emphasis on the characters themselves rather than a complex and convoluted plot.

Although it is a sad book towards the end, it also provides a glimpse into what life could potentially be.

It makes the reader reflect on the various aspects of life and the choices that we make.

Overall, this is a must-read book that will leave a lasting impression on the reader's heart and mind.

Oh, I just love these.

I think I also read the next one, A Solitary Blue, as a kid too, though I don't remember it anymore.

Regardless, I'm gonna have to read all of these now.

The character development in these books is so good. Each character is unique and well-developed, with their own personalities, dreams, and flaws.

The story of the family is also truly engaging. It's not just a simple story of a family's life, but a complex and emotional exploration of their relationships, conflicts, and growth.

I can't wait to read more and discover all the wonderful things that these books have to offer. Yay!

Really excellent. If I had known how good it was going to be, I would have read the first book before this one. I'm working through the Newbery winners and skipped earlier books in the series to get the list done soon.

Dicey's Song was contemporary fiction in the early 80's when it won the Newbery. There are no pop references. At the end, the kids are trying pizza for the first time. I remember when pizza was new. My parents got us one when I was 7. Before that, my mom made a version with spaghetti sauce and cheese on bread dough.

This book is about mental illness. Dicey's mom is in a catatonic state in a faraway hospital. The first book was about their journey to their grandmother's after being abandoned. This one fills in enough details, but I wish I'd read the first. The family has oddball characters.

Parents will like the 'be yourself' message. There's no romance, but it暗示 there will be in future books. Dicey is a great character. She's self-sufficient and complex. She wants alone time but feels discomfort when her siblings need her less. She learns from her grandmother's mistakes.

I didn't find anything problematic. Grandma tries to talk about the 'birds and the bees' and Dicey stops her. I liked the home ec class portions. The teacher is a bit of a witch, but has a great speech. Dicey wanted to take mechanical drafting but couldn't due to gender bias. The teacher makes a good point about everyone learning home ec.

Many award-winning children's books are more fun for adults, but I think Dicey's Song would appeal to kids who like an emotional adventure.

This work is indeed rather good.

However, it doesn't quite reach the level of excellence of the first book.

Nonetheless, it still has its own merits and qualities that make it worthy of attention.

The story may have some interesting plot twists and engaging characters, but perhaps it lacks the same depth and innovation that made the first book so remarkable.

Despite this, it can still provide an enjoyable reading experience for those who are fans of the genre or have an interest in the subject matter.

Overall, while it may not be the best in the series, it is still a good addition that offers something of value to the readers.

I avoided this book for a long time as I had听闻 it对孩子们来说过于令人沮丧。没错，这是一本悲伤的书。而且对一些孩子来说可能太悲伤了。但有许许多多的孩子会想听这个故事。

Dicey和她的三个兄弟姐妹来和他们的祖母一起生活。他们的母亲在精神病院；他们的父亲在Dicey最小的弟弟Sammy出生前就离家出走了。

有许多问题需要克服。Dicey的妹妹Maybeth在学校里没有像她应该的那样学习。Dicey的哥哥James为了融入而隐藏了他的聪明才智。Sammy会打架。人们谈论并嘲笑孩子们关于奶奶的事情。Dicey和奶奶一样，学会了假装冷漠。

整个Tillerman家族慢慢地解决所有这些问题，一起交谈，一起唱歌，结交新朋友，工作，建造一艘船。

现在我急切地想知道我在学校读现实主义小说的读者们对这本书的看法。