This award-winning novel may initially seem a bit slow-paced. However, it is exquisitely written, filled with humor, beautiful conversations, and numerous life lessons that are skillfully interwoven throughout the storyline.

As you immerse yourself in the story, you'll encounter the responsibilities of a firstborn girl, Dicey, who takes on the role of caring for her siblings during the difficult times when her parents are absent. It's a truly heartfelt tale that showcases how family members look out for one another.

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Actual rating 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.

I discovered this story to be both enchanting and tough. What I liked was that there were no fairy tale-like happily ever after moments at the conclusion. Dicey doesn't suddenly become popular and overly sweet. There are no remarkable makeovers that completely transform her personality. And Gram remains unapologetically down-to-earth without a sudden shift into an outwardly sentimental and sweet grandma. It is a hopeful story with realistic elements that are suitable for the era it was written in.

I didn't read the first book in the series, but I did watch the movie based on it quite some time ago. So, I wasn't completely oblivious to the events of the first book, Homecoming. The story struck a chord with me as the setting was very close to my own tween/teen years in the '80s. I was a new adult in the '80s but could identify well with the elements described in the book. Reading it now was a bit nostalgic yet not as far-fetched as younger readers today might find it. I was probably one of the last generations to take home-ec in middle school. My sister, 6 years younger, didn't have that as an option, let alone a required course like I did.

There were aspects of the story that would make today's YA readers cringe. It means that the story, a Newbery winner, is not timeless and frankly hasn't aged well. However, it is definitely a story of its time and a relatively authentic representation of that era. Despite these "out of time" elements, there are some interesting dynamics. Dicey could be seen today as gender-fluid. She is female but not "feminine" and isn't compelled to be feminized by the adults in her life. Even her home-ec teacher doesn't tell her she needs to learn domestic activities like sewing and cooking to be a good wife and mother eventually. Instead, she says everyone should learn these skills to be prepared for life. Grams doesn't force Dicey to dress "as a girl" even though she does tell her she needs to wear a bra. And Dicey doesn't suddenly develop romantic illusions as she starts to physically develop. While the book isn't radically subversive, it has its subversive moments. It's easy to see why it won the Newbery at the time. It deals with many social issues within the YA genre and doesn't offer easy solutions or romanticized ideas of happy endings and sudden turns of fortune. The Tillermans will continue to face struggles in many ways.

It's not a perfect book. Mom's mental illness and Maybeth's "special talent" could have been handled differently. There are some cringe-worthy tropes and stereotypes about fatness, mental slowness, and the reverse with James's high intelligence. Also, Dicey's sudden writing talent isn't entirely consistent with the way we've been led to believe she views the world. But it is a relevant portrayal of what life in that area would have been like at the time. It has piqued my curiosity to read the other books in the Tillerman series as well as other Voigt works. She is a very prolific writer with many books to her name.

3.5 stars

I'm getting a really strong opinion that I simply couldn't just hand over a newer or more modern Newberry Medal winner book to my kids at their age without prereading it first. This particular book could have been a great read. However, the mention of certain things like sex, French kiss, and bosom really bothered me. I think these elements were better off being left out. It's important to consider the age and maturity level of our children when choosing books for them. We want to provide them with engaging and educational reads, but not ones that contain inappropriate or overly mature content. As parents, we have a responsibility to ensure that the books our kids read are suitable and will have a positive impact on their development.

Maybe the author had good intentions, but these details really detracted from what could have been a wonderful story. It makes me more cautious about selecting books for my kids in the future. I'll definitely be doing more research and prereading to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

I truly love these characters.

They have faced numerous challenges and obstacles along the way, yet they have managed to overcome them with great determination and courage.

Throughout their journey, they have also learned so much about each other.

They have discovered each other's strengths and weaknesses, and have learned to appreciate and respect one another's differences.

This has not only deepened their understanding of each other but has also strengthened their bond.

It is truly remarkable to see how these characters have grown and evolved through their experiences together.

They have become better versions of themselves, and I am excited to see what the future holds for them.

I will continue to follow their story with great interest and anticipation.

Without Homecoming, it is quite evident that this book would lose a certain degree of its significance. However, as a sequel, I have to admit that I found it to be truly fantastic and equally compelling. (Maybe reading the two books back to back enhanced that perception.) Dicey is an outstanding character, and there are still numerous unanswered questions and unexplored paths in her life. I am simply迫不及待 to read more of this series.

I often notice that I am most enthusiastic about a book right after I finish reading it, but then my excitement gradually subsides. We shall wait and see if the same occurs here. Usually, I desire that my highest rated books are those that have a lasting impact on me. They typically feature interesting characters and engaging plots, but also convey powerful life lessons, possess compelling and extraordinary writing, and contain one-liner quotations that resonate deeply and seem to demand to be copied down or underlined. These are the books that I mark up and add notes to in the margins. But sometimes, I come across books that, although they don't prompt me to mark them, are still wonderful reads and possess many, if not all, of the elements that I am seeking. With these books, I often second-guess my initial reactions and rate them lower than I initially felt. Perhaps this shouldn't be the case. Bearing that in mind, I will simply state that this book feels like a five-star read to me at present, and perhaps the initial reaction should be the best basis for judgment.

I read this book because it was a Newbery winner, and I had set a goal to read many of the winners before the 100th anniversary.

Also, due to COVID, I didn't have easy access to books. So, I went ahead and read this 2nd book without reading the first one.

I didn't expect to get so hooked on this amazing series. It's a character-driven book, what I like to call a slow burn.

It would require a rather mature reader, both because of the content and how the story unfolds.

If you need action to keep you engaged in a story, this isn't for you.

The cast of characters emerges gradually as the author skillfully weaves together the lives of some rather broken characters.

Many inferences need to be made and connected. Overall, it's a deeply sad story yet full of hope at the same time.

I adored so many of the minor characters and was excited to see that the 7-book series takes the time to explore some of them.

Considering the time period when it was written (published in 1982), the author dealt with some tough issues.

I loved the life metaphors related to the sailboat. I can't quite put into words the writing style, but it's award-winning for sure.

I'm really looking forward to starting the first book and finishing the series. It's quite remarkable, I would say, for the older end of the Newbery range.

This was a truly sweet old-fashioned book. It delved into the story of a family that had been splintered by various hardships. Lost love had left its mark, disappointment had chipped away at their unity, war had brought chaos and separation, and sickness had further weakened their bond.

However, within the pages of this book, we witnessed the family's journey as they began to make connections. Connections between themselves, as they started to heal the wounds of the past and understand one another on a deeper level. They reached out to each other, offering support and forgiveness.

Additionally, they also made connections with their community. Through acts of kindness and participation in community events, they found a sense of belonging and purpose. As they became more involved with those around them, they discovered that they were not alone in their struggles.

Slowly but surely, the family began to piece themselves back together and become whole again. This book was a beautiful reminder of the power of love, connection, and the human spirit to overcome even the greatest of obstacles.

I would also give this a solid 4.5 stars.

I truly wished it was longer.

I loved following Dicey, as it allowed me to get to know Gram better and see more of the other siblings too.

This book had less action than "Homecoming", but still, it was just as gripping.

I can't wait to read the rest!

Addition:

After finishing the rest of the series, I was rather disappointed that nothing happened with Dicey searching for her Uncle John.

I really wish this would've happened!

They might have cousins they've never met.

It would be so good for Gram to have closure on this!

Perhaps there could have been a whole adventure dedicated to Dicey's search for her uncle.

It would have added another layer of excitement and mystery to the story.

Maybe they would have discovered new family members and learned more about their past.

The possibilities are endless, and I feel that this aspect was a missed opportunity.

Overall, though, the series was still enjoyable, but I can't help but wonder what could have been if Dicey had found her Uncle John.

Though I eventually devoured every book in this series, this was the first one I read.

As a kid, I had an insatiable love for these books. What made them truly special was that they didn't have the typical feel of books targeted at children. Instead, they seemed like "real" books, in contrast to something like the Baby Sitters Club.

I was completely captivated by the character of Dicey. She was such an odd yet believable figure. A tomboy with a strong mothering instinct, and a passion for building boats. These books had the power to break my heart again and again, and yet, I couldn't resist re-reading them multiple times.

The way the entire series is written is simply wonderful. There are occasional spotlights thrown on the supporting characters, which adds depth and richness to the story. It creates such a vivid and immersive world that I almost felt as if I was actually there, experiencing everything along with the characters.

It's no wonder that these books have remained a cherished part of my childhood memories.

4.5 stars.

This summer, I have a goal to read all the Newbery award winners from the year I was born. And this book was the first of the ones I hadn't read yet. I absolutely loved it. It has the elements of a coming-of-age story, but it all takes place within the span of one autumn. I didn't read the first book in this trilogy, which happened during the previous summer, but that didn't matter. I could easily understand what was going on. One storyline focused on Dicey's little sister who was struggling to read using the latest sight word teaching method. Then they went back and taught her phonics, and it worked so much better. It was both extremely sad and amusing at the same time. That was about as preachy as anything got in this book. Mostly, there were a lot of questions and not necessarily answers, but I usually love that in a story. I don't remember ever reading Cynthia Voight before, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work. I enjoyed her writing style, and she tells an engaging story.

Some of my favorite Newbery books are from the 1980s. I read "Jacob Have I Loved" and "A Ring of Endless Light" multiple times in middle/high school and loved them. They deal with very similar elements of sadness, questioning, and growing up. I also enjoyed "The Hero and the Crown" and "The Blue Sword" (another 1983 winner), but those are very different, and I didn't read them until I was much older.

I would classify this as a YA book now. There are a few mentions of a girl growing up, menstruating, and needing a bra. But especially the extreme challenges of having a mentally ill mother seem better suited for an older audience.

I don't really even know how to write a review for this book.

It's one of the most beautifully written novels I've ever read, whether it's in the YA or adult fiction genre.

I love how the author is able to craft such complex and intricate relationships between the characters and within the characters themselves.

This is brilliantly foreshadowed in the essay assignment Dicey writes in English class.

The Tillermans don't have easy lives. Each of them is dealing with internal and external conflicts.

However, they are fiercely connected. As Gram says, you can't reach out with a closed fist.

The whole book is about the gradual loosening of clenched fingers and strained relationships.

It's a beautiful story that shows how fiercely independent people can come together to form a fiercely loving family.

The author's writing style is captivating, and the characters are so well-developed that you can't help but become emotionally invested in their lives.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story about family, love, and perseverance.

This was one of the best books that I have read recently.

The characters in the book are extremely believable. They seem to come alive on the pages, with their own unique personalities, emotions, and flaws.

It is a sad book, filled with heartbreak and loss. However, it also has its happy moments, which provide a glimmer of hope in the midst of the darkness.

The writing is very well done. The author has a beautiful way with words, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind and evoking strong emotions.

Overall, it is a very good reading experience. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written story with complex characters and a touching plot.