I returned to this book. What an amazing walk down memory lane.

I have read this book many times. It truly undergoes a remarkable transformation when read as an adult.

Dicey is just 13 years old when her mother loses her job and they find themselves in a state of destitution. Mama puts them in a car, and after traveling through a few towns, she abandons them.

Now, Dicey is in charge of herself, her brothers James and Sammy, and her sister Maybeth. Instead of calling the police, she makes the bold decision to walk them to Bridgeport, CT. It is a rough and arduous trip. They have to carefully manage their money, constantly watch their backs, and look out for each other.

However, getting to Bridgeport turns out to not be the end of their struggles. So, Dicey decides to place their hopes on a grandmother who might be crazy. And, of course, this means yet another long hike.

This is a great book. As an adult, I often find myself spending a lot of time imagining getting those kids a hot meal and reassuring them that there are good adults in the world. The characters are well-developed and engaging, and it is a very good story.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to middle school kids!

Homecoming. Published 1981

This is truly one of my touchstone books. I vividly remember adoring it as a child, yet it wasn't until I revisited it that I fully grasped its profound impact. As I delved into the pages once more, I was inundated with the most vivid memories. It was the summer of 1986, and I was a 10-year-old on the cusp of turning 11. I put on my favorite jean shorts and Keds and cycled into town to my local library. If I close my eyes now, I can still catch that distinct library aroma - a blend of books and the crisp, cool air. I can envision the exact layout of the stacks, hear the sound of the due date stamp, and see myself racing directly to the spot where I plucked the book from the shelf. Sigh - the power of books to whisk me away into both a fictional realm and my own memory never fails to astonish me.

I wish I could recall precisely why my younger self loved this book so deeply. Was it because I related to Dicey, the eldest of four siblings, just like me? Or perhaps it was the captivating coming-of-age narrative, filled with adventure, secret hideaways, and travel, which was a common theme in many of my childhood favorites such as Mandy, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler, and The Boxcar Children. I'm aware that as a child, some of the vocabulary, including certain words that might now seem inappropriate, probably didn't register with me as they did when I read it as an adult. I know that re-reading it during this unpredictable time has been like a gentle hand on my heart, a soothing salve for my soul.

This book took me a rather long time to read.

However, it wasn't due to the story being bad in any way.

For some unknown reason, I was simply satisfied with reading at a slower pace than usual.

I believe the book did an excellent job of depicting what kids might truly do if they were in the situation of the Tillermans.

It was fascinating to observe how they coped with fundamental necessities such as food, money, and shelter.

As the story advanced, I relished getting to know all four kids.

I'm not sure if I'll read the entire series, but I do have the intention of continuing with the next book.

I'm curious to see what further adventures and challenges the Tillermans will face and how they will overcome them.

The author has managed to create a captivating world and characters that have left me eager to learn more.

Overall, I'm glad I picked up this book and look forward to seeing where the story takes me next.

This is what could be called An Oldie But a Goodie...

Written in 1981, and set on the eastern seaboard of the US, Homecoming tells the captivating story of four siblings. Their lives take a drastic turn when their mother abandons them in a car park.

The eldest among them, Dicey, shows remarkable determination. She makes a bold decision to walk to the place they had been originally headed when their mum left them. That place is Great-Aunt Cilla's house in Bridgeport.

To cut a long story short, Homecoming is a powerful story of survival, hope, strength and courage. Dicey is a wonderfully strong female character. Her actions and spirit are an inspiration to her younger siblings. She leads them through the difficult times, never giving up and always looking for a way to make their lives better. The story is a testament to the power of family and the human spirit in the face of adversity.

[Note: my copy of the book had a different cover - which I really liked more than the one that is showing now with my review...]

This book is truly one-of-a-kind. It features four siblings, ranging in age from 12 years old to 6 years old. Despite the absence of a father and a mother with mental problems, these determined kids are hell-bent on staying together. The way they manage their attempt at togetherness makes for a captivating story. It's an easy and quick read, at least for me. Each child is distinct and different, with their own set of talents and flaws. However, I found all four of them to be extremely likable.

It seems from the 'Tillerman Cycle # 1' after the book title that there might be more 'Tillerman' stories. But I'm not sure how they might or might not be related to the book I read. The author is really good, and I would definitely read other books she has written or will write in the future.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

Reading this in my youth would have made a far greater impact. It is truly a pity that I didn't come across it earlier. However, the last 51 minutes of this experience were definitely worth the wait. Those 51 minutes were filled with such profound and thought-provoking content that it left an indelible mark on my mind. It was as if a whole new world opened up before my eyes. The ideas presented were so novel and revolutionary that they made me question many of my previously held beliefs. I found myself completely engrossed in the text, unable to tear myself away. Even now, as I reflect on those 51 minutes, I can still feel the excitement and inspiration that it brought. It has truly been a life-changing experience.

Amazing! The story takes an interesting turn towards the middle. It starts to slow down a little bit, creating a sense of anticipation and mystery. But then, just when you think it might lose its momentum, it picks up again towards the end. I'm really glad how it ended too! It's about a girl and her siblings who find themselves in a desperate situation when their mother leaves them in a mall parking lot. They have to find a new home and face many challenges along the way. The girl shows great courage and determination as she tries to protect her siblings and keep them safe. It's a heartwarming and inspiring story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

I truly loved the actual story and the well-developed characters that were presented in this book. The author did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and making them feel real.

However, I have to admit that I felt the story drug on a bit too much. There were just so many little side stories that seemed to detract from the main plot. It felt like the book could have been more focused and effective with a significant amount of editing.

It's interesting to note that clearly, Ms. Voigt got it figured out later. She went on to earn the prestigious Newberry Award for her sequel to Homecoming, which was titled Dicey's Song. This shows that she was able to learn from her experiences and improve her writing. It makes me curious to see how the story continues in the sequel and if she was able to address the issues that I had with the first book.

Overall, while I had some criticisms of this book, I still enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from Ms. Voigt in the future.

“Nobody could be Home, really, until he was in his grave. Nobody could rest, really, until then.” What a truly delectable and enjoyable read this is! Dicey and her sister, along with two brothers, are abandoned in the family car in a mall car park by their mother who fails to return. “Remember how she’d go out and not come back for hours? I think she got lost outside those times, the way she was lost inside.” They were supposed to be on their way to stay with their great Aunt Cilla in Bridgeport. Dicey decides to take matters into her own hands and get her family to Bridgeport by any possible means, thus commencing an adventure like no other. The children have to sleep in the rough, scrounge and work for money, and walk more miles than they could have ever imagined. They encounter both the greatest and the worst of characters along their journey, and I was completely invested in their safe arrival at the destination. The children are all highly realistic. They bicker, whine, and moan during the journey, but their love and loyalty to one another are incredibly powerful. I adored the Tillermans. From 13-year-old Dicey, who has been forced to grow up too quickly, to book-smart James who seems to know nearly everything about everything, quiet and reserved Maybeth, and finally stubborn little Sammy. These kids made my heart expand with warmth, and I'm eagerly looking forward to continuing their story. “You couldn’t expect people to act as if they were in their right minds.”

Homecoming was an okay book.

The concept, however, seemed rather repetitive to me.

The story revolves around four kids who are abandoned by their mother in a shopping mall parking lot. They have only eleven dollars in their pockets and are given just one address, that of their grandmother's house.

After much struggle and adventure, they do manage to find their grandmother, but at a different location than they initially thought.

Surprisingly, their grandmother did not want them at first. It takes some time and a series of events for the grandmother to have a change of heart.

Eventually, she allows the children to stay with her because they remind her of her daughter, who is the children's mother.

This touching moment brings a sense of closure to the story and shows the power of family and the ability to overcome difficult circumstances.

Overall, while the concept may have been repetitive, the book still managed to capture my attention and make me care about the fate of the characters.

This is a truly hard read.

Here is a remarkable book that delves deeply into a topic which most books manage to resolve within the first two chapters. It presents a reality that is both painful and heartbreakingly true.

The protagonist in this story is constantly on the move, always braced for disappointment and hardship. Every difficult mile and every frustrating delay of a long journey are vividly described, with no clear safe haven at the end. (Although, I suppose, that depends on one's definition of safety. It certainly wasn't enough by Dicey's standards.)

And then, just when you think it can't get any more challenging, there is yet another journey and yet another uncertain destination.

What makes this book so special is the wealth of detail and the wonderful exploration of the people the protagonist meets along the road. We see the extent of their kindness, where they are willing to give and where they draw the line. And, of course, there are also those who don't give at all.

This is probably the most difficult beginning to a children's series that I have ever come across. However, I find myself wishing that there were more books like it, as it offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on life's challenges and the human spirit.

Homecoming, written by Cynthia Voigt, is a captivating book that tells the story of four children who find themselves abandoned in a mall parking lot. Their mother, burdened by the struggle to pay the bills and facing the complexity of raising four children, makes the difficult decision to leave them.

The eldest, Dicey, must suddenly take on the challenge of caring for her younger siblings. With no food, money, or place to stay, the children have no option but to embark on a long walk. Fortunately, kind-hearted people notice them and offer them shelter. However, they are still left wondering why their mother would do such a thing.

This book is truly interesting to read as it is full of unexpected twists and turns. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, the story takes a completely different direction. When reading Homecoming, many readers can connect with certain aspects of the story. For example, when James steals money from one of their caregivers, it can be relatable as he is under extreme pressure and feels that stealing is the only way out.

Although the book has many engaging elements, there are also some parts that may not make complete sense. Some of the caregivers try to locate the children's mother by sending them to school and keeping Dicey behind to ask her questions.

Overall, Homecoming offers a real-life experience to the readers. It hooks you in from the very beginning and keeps you engaged until the end. You simply can't stop reading! Additionally, the book provides perspectives from all of the characters, although the smallest child, who is quiet and shy, is not as prominently represented throughout the story.

Throughout the book, the Tillerman children rely on hard work, patience, and hope. Dicey works tirelessly to keep the hope alive among them, and she does an excellent job. Even when they are abandoned in the mall parking lot, the children still hold onto the hope that their mother will return, despite the fact that she never does. When they are walking and Sammy gets tired and wants Dicey to carry him, Dicey shows great patience, as this is not a one-time occurrence. All four children stay together throughout their journey, facing various obstacles along the way but ultimately overcoming them.