My friend Megan has been singing praises to Cynthia Voight's Tillerman Cycle for as long as I've known her.

When she pointed out that Homecoming was part of the fantastic children's book sale on Audible (seriously, I bought 10 books for $30), I decided it was time to finally read it.

The four Tillerman children are abandoned in a mall parking lot. When their mother doesn't return, they worry that they will be split up if they go to the police, so they set out to walk all the way to their great-aunt's house, several towns away.

This book has a lot of walking and being hungry and scraping by. In other words, it definitely qualifies as Wasteland Wandering, and, as I typically struggle with Wasteland Wandering, at times, I felt myself starting to get bogged down. (Those kids must have been so sunburned.) But the thing that saved the day, every time, is the bond between the children. Also, a good portion of the book is set in Maryland and having that geographical connection made the book richer.

In the end, I really loved all the characters, and I definitely want to continue with the series. I want to see more of the grandmother. I have Dicey's Song all queued up.

I'm excited to see where the story takes the Tillerman children next. Will they face more challenges on their journey? Will they find a sense of true home? Only time will tell as I delve deeper into this captivating series.

My grandmother read me this book when I was in elementary school, and I vividly remembered loving it.

Years later, in her last few months of life, as she was dealing with the last stages of dementia, I started reading it to her.

Even when she didn't respond verbally to many things, she would still help me with the pronunciation of words I was unfamiliar with. And often, she would smile while I was reading to her.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish the book with her this time around. However, my grandfather and I finished it in her honor.

The story is quite a sad one, but it has a wonderful ending. The Tillerman children are resilient and embody plenty of wonderful qualities that kids should hear about. They stick together, understand the importance of hard work, stand up for their loved ones, and know how crucial it is to find a house filled with love and acceptance.

I firmly believe that my grandmother wanted to remind me of these virtues when she read the book to me. And I can only hope that I was able to show her the same amount of love she showed to me as my grandmother.

I will always cherish the memories of reading this book with my grandmother and the valuable lessons it taught me.

This book was truly an amazing journey for both the characters and me as the reader.

It felt as if I had become an integral part of the Tillerman family, experiencing all the highs and lows that came with the story's plot.

The author's vivid descriptions and engaging narrative made it easy for me to immerse myself in their world and form a deep connection with each character.

From the challenges they faced to the moments of joy and triumph, I was there every step of the way.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough to anyone in search of a great realistic fiction read.

It offers a unique and captivating perspective on family, life, and the human spirit that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Whether you're a fan of the genre or simply looking for a good book to get lost in, this one is definitely worth checking out.

So, don't hesitate – pick up this book and embark on your own adventure with the Tillerman family today!

We spent such an enjoyable few days with these characters.

Four siblings from a poor background have a single mum who is struggling, and one day things just get too much.

Without spoiling the plot, the rest of the book is about the children, largely on their own, struggling to find a way to live and stay together. This book is long, and we really felt we got to know these characters and their very individual personalities. We loved following their journey, being with them through their hardships, meeting mean people and good.

We loved the character of Dicey and Maybeth and so wanted things to work out for this family and find a way that they could stay together. How lucky for them they had the strong and resourceful Dicey to persevere through the hard times.

Some very realistic characters, these felt like real people to us. I appreciated how cousin Eunice was contrasted against the character of grandma. I liked the way that these characters' personalities were revealed to us. We loved the characters Will and Karen from the circus and how wonderful that their performing animals were a trio of well-loved terriers. The story keeps you guessing right up to the last few pages! It's a captivating read that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster with these unforgettable characters.

You can't help but become invested in their lives and root for them as they face one challenge after another. The author does an excellent job of creating a vivid and believable world that you won't want to leave.

Whether you're a fan of coming-of-age stories or just looking for a good read, this book is sure to satisfy. So, pick it up and get ready to embark on a journey you won't forget!

I read this book in my early teens and recently bought it for my daughter.

I absolutely adored this book when I was young! The story revolves around Dicey and her three younger siblings. Their mother abandons them in a mall parking lot. Fearing being separated and sent to foster care, they come to the conclusion that their only choice is to embark on a journey on foot to find their Great Aunt Cilla, whom they have never met before.

I found the book to be extremely well-written, with a captivating and easy-to-read storyline. I could vividly picture everything that was happening to these children as they trekked across the country after being abandoned by their mentally ill mother. It is not often that a book has such a lasting impact on you for so many years. Nevertheless, this book has most definitely remained one of my all-time favorites.

I highly recommend this book. Although it is technically a young adult novel, I believe many adults will also find it to be a great read. It offers a powerful and touching story that can resonate with readers of all ages.

What a truly great and adventurous read this is!

I absolutely loved the writing style. It had such a captivating charm that kept me completely locked on from the very beginning.

The story has this amazing quality where it feels like it could have actually happened in real life. This aspect makes it an even greater pleasure to read.

It's not often that you come across a story that combines adventure and a sense of authenticity so well. The author has done a remarkable job of creating a world that draws you in and makes you eager to follow along with every twist and turn.

Whether you're a fan of adventure stories or just looking for an engaging read, this one is definitely worth checking out. I can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us in the future.

This is an incredibly powerful story that delves deep into the strength of family and the remarkable ability to overcome diversity through unwavering perseverance.

The bond within a family is often the source of unwavering support and love, capable of withstanding the harshest of challenges. In this story, we witness how the characters rely on each other, pulling together in the face of adversity.

Overcoming diversity can be a daunting task, but through their determination and refusal to give up, they manage to find common ground and build something beautiful.

This story serves as a reminder that no matter how difficult the situation may seem, the power of family and the will to persevere can conquer all. It is a tale that will inspire readers to hold onto their loved ones and never lose hope in the face of diversity.

The Homecoming by Harold Pinter is a book that I was able to read from start to finish with some interest.

However, it didn't have the addictive quality that several good books I've read recently possess. The characters, like those in Judy Bloom's works, The Cat in the Hat, and Winnie the Pooh, will stay with you, but the book itself won't.

Homecoming tells the story of four young children in search of a home after being abandoned by their ill mother. From the start, I felt the story dragged on. While detail is important for creating and developing a story and its characters, in this case, there was an overabundance of it. The same story could have been told in about a hundred fewer pages and had a more profound impact.

Moreover, some events in the story didn't seem to fit or added to the unnecessary excess of details. There was no real reason for Cynthia Voigt to make Dicey force her siblings to leave the bus station for Annapolis instead of waiting for the bus to Crisfield.

The numerous references to Maybeth's possible retardation, details about undergarments, fishing and clamming, and the monotonous descriptions of the cities the children passed through were all extremely repetitive.

Rather than focusing on these smaller challenges that the reader understood clearly after the first or second reference, more emphasis and detail could and should have been placed on the mother's condition and the antecedents leading to the Tillerman's circumstances.

Despite these drawbacks, the book does have some pros. The characters are interesting and well-developed. The reader is introduced to a diverse range of people from all walks of life. The Tillermans themselves are unique individuals.

Dicey, the eldest, is a slim, average-heighted girl with short brown hair who resembles a boy. James is an average boy with glasses. Maybeth is a small blonde girl with bright blue eyes like polished aquamarine gemstones. And Sammy, the youngest, is a tiny, chubby, blonde boy with a bowl haircut and blue eyes, a mini cherub.

Beyond their physical appearance, the book clearly describes the personality of each sibling. Their differences help them survive as a unit throughout their journey.

Along with the Tillermans, many other characters influence their lives in various ways. Windy and Stew, two college kids, are genuine and capture the reader's interest. Will, with a heart of gold, and the people in his circus are well-developed and add to the Tillermans' experience.

Cousin Eunice and Mr. Rudyard are characters that you must read the story to learn more about. Character development was a highlight of this book.

What I enjoyed most about the book was Sammy Tillerman, the youngest of the family. He has spunk and tenacity. Despite being the youngest, his personality and antics are larger than life. He is tough and does whatever he can to help his family.

For example, with only fifty-one cents, he was able to get enough food to feed his family for dinner and breakfast. I liked him from the beginning to the end.

While this book is readable, it's not one I would recommend for enjoyment or pleasure reading. I would give it a 4/10 (2/5) star rating.

A heartwarming and sweet story unfolds about four children who have been unfortunately abandoned by their mentally ill mother. Their journey begins as they embark on a search for a new home, filled with hope and determination. In contrast to many other young adult novels, this particular one stands out for its innocence. However, it could be argued that it is perhaps a little too whitewashed, lacking some of the grittier and more complex aspects of life that some readers might expect.

Despite this minor criticism, I found myself completely captivated by the ending. It was so touching and satisfying that it was more than enough to compel me to continue on to Book 2 in the series. I am eager to see what further adventures and challenges these four children will face as they strive to build a new life for themselves.

I had forgotten so much of this book.

It was truly a delight to revisit it with the girls.

As we turned the pages together, memories started to flood back.

The vivid descriptions and engaging story once again captured our attention.

The girls were completely immersed in the world created by the author.

We discussed the characters, their actions, and the lessons we could learn from the story.

It was a wonderful opportunity to bond with the girls and share our love for reading.

Revisiting this book not only refreshed my own memory but also introduced the girls to a great piece of literature.

I am so glad we took the time to do this and look forward to many more reading adventures with them in the future.

Wow,

talk about a YA book I missed when I was in high school!

I really wish I had read it back then,

because it reminds me of the survival genre books I loved.

Part Boxcar Children,

part Flowers in the Attic without all the gothic horror elements,

part just making do in the woods,

I loved this book.

It's hard to imagine a 13-year-old having to be so resilient,

but I know it happens.

The story is truly moving and real.

It makes you think about the strength and courage that young people can possess in difficult situations.

The author did a great job of creating a vivid and engaging world that you can easily get lost in.

Even though it's a YA book,

it has a lot of depth and substance that can appeal to readers of all ages.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good survival story or just wants to read a great book.

In the early days of the pandemic, when I was filled with that "new pandemic energy," I began reading the first books of The Babysitter's Club series on Facebook live, adding my own colorful commentary. It was quite a hit, with TENS of people tuning in (heh). Just like many other new and quirky pandemic hobbies (I'm looking at you, sourdough starter), it soon lost its luster. I only managed to get through about 2 and a half books and then stowed the books on my bookshelf in the appropriate section, right next to my Cynthia Voigt collection.

I remember really loving Voigt's works and thought a revisit could be enjoyable. However, I hesitated because I have trouble allowing myself to read Young Adult books. I'm sure this isn't uncommon. As an adult, I have this hang-up where I feel like I should be reading adult books (not as much of a hang-up as when I try to read romance, but that's another review). There's definitely a stigma attached. But if I've learned anything during the pandemic, it's that I should care less about what I "should" be doing and instead focus on doing things that bring joy. So, I finally gave myself permission to revisit this series, and I'm really excited about it.

This book is the first in the "Tillerman cycle," which consists of seven books about the Tillerman family. Two of these books were awarded the Newbery award. I only remembered the broadest outlines of the story, so I jumped in with mostly fresh eyes. Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy are traveling with their momma from their home in Massachusetts to visit their great Aunt Cilla in Connecticut, whom they've never met. When momma abandons them in a shopping mall parking lot, they have no plan and nowhere to turn, but they're determined to stay together. Dicey, the oldest at 13, decides that they should travel on to Aunt Cilla's, where momma might be waiting. Armed only with their wits and a few bucks, these four kids leave the safety of the car to venture into the unknown, together.
That's an amazing start, and I can see why I liked these books. Voigt's writing style is plain and straightforward. These are real kids having to deal with real-life hard circumstances. Although written in the 1980s, I see a connection between this book and Koningsburg's 1967 classic From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, which I also recently revisited. Both authors write about children who are believable and have to deal with the often unkind realities of their lives and the real world. I've got the next book, "Dicey's Song," in the queue and am excited to re-remember how things turn out for the Tillermans.
It was interesting to read this book as an adult, especially considering my own kiddo just turned 12. It serves as another uncomfortable reminder that he's not a kiddo anymore. And though I won't be abandoning him in a parking lot, I can't always be there to give him the answers, and he's going to have to sometimes find his own way.

This realization makes me appreciate the story even more and gives me a new perspective on the challenges that children face as they grow up.

I'm looking forward to continuing this journey with the Tillerman family and seeing how they overcome their obstacles and grow.

It's also making me think about how I can better support my own child as he navigates the unknowns of life.

Maybe this is one of the hidden gifts of reading Young Adult books as an adult - the opportunity to see the world through a child's eyes and gain a deeper understanding of their experiences.

I'm glad I gave myself permission to revisit this series and can't wait to see what else it has in store for me.