DNF around: 200 pages

This book is absurdly long without any justifiable reason.

The first half, which depicted the kids being abandoned and their attempts to locate their family members, was quite interesting. It managed to capture my attention and keep me engaged.

However, as I delved into the second half, it felt extremely dated and became a struggle to continue.

There was a suffocating amount of religion injected into the story, which seemed forced and detracted from the overall narrative.

Moreover, a character was described using the R slur twice, which was highly offensive and unacceptable.

These factors combined ultimately led me to ditch this book. It's a shame because the initial premise had potential, but it failed to deliver in the latter half.

I hope that future books in this genre can avoid such pitfalls and offer a more engaging and inclusive reading experience.

I absolutely LOVE books like these.

It belongs to that category of classic books where children are forced to take care of themselves, embark on travels, and immerse themselves in nature.

It's precisely the kind of book that, had I read it when I was around 8 years old, I would have spent countless weeks yearning to be part of the story and imagining myself as one of those kids.

This book evokes such a profound sense of nostalgia within me, despite the fact that I've never read it before.

When I first began reading it, I didn't have overly high expectations. I simply wanted to get through it.

However, now I find myself completely in love with it and can't wait to devour the rest of the series.

It has truly captured my heart and imagination, and I'm eager to see where the story will lead.

I'm confident that each subsequent installment will be just as enchanting and captivating as this one.

So far, in the book Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt, a heart-wrenching situation unfolds. Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy are abandoned in the car by their momma.

They initially believe she is simply lost and wait patiently for her return. However, as time passes and she fails to come back, worry begins to creep in. Dicey, being the oldest child, makes the decision to stay until the next day, hoping against hope that their momma will show up.

When the children wake up, they are faced with the harsh reality that their momma is gone for good, and a sense of despondency descends upon them. But Dicey, with her determination, decides that they must embark on a journey to Bridgeport to find their momma and reunite with their rich Aunt Cilla.

On their arduous way to Aunt Cilla's, they encounter numerous challenges. They lack sufficient money, have no food, and hardly have any time to rest. It seems as if the odds are stacked against them.

However, a glimmer of hope appears when Sammy discovers a penny and two dimes. With the two dollars they have left, Dicey is able to buy some chicken and potatoes. She also finds a place on the map where they can rest for a while.

At the point where I left off, the four children have stopped at the park and have fallen asleep, exhausted from their long and eventful journey. Overall, I think this story is extremely interesting, filled with drama, adventure, and the unwavering spirit of the Tillerman children. I can't wait to read more and find out what lies ahead for them.

Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt is a captivating book that tells the story of four children - Dicey, Sammy, Maybeth, and James. Their mother abandons them in a parking lot, and they embark on a journey to find the right home.

For me, this book was an okay read. It's not one of my absolute favorites, but it did have some redeeming qualities. The author's description of scenes was vivid, and the use of figurative language added depth to the story. The characters were well-developed, and I was particularly drawn to Mr. Rudyard. His actions and words were engaging and held my attention. Another aspect I liked was the realism of the story. It was impressive to see the four children fending for themselves and providing for their own needs.

However, the book also had its drawbacks. It was quite long, and at times, the excessive detail in describing certain things felt unnecessary. I also didn't like Cousin Eunice. She had high expectations of Dicey, expecting her to do all the cleaning, cooking, and running errands. Moreover, she didn't want Sammy because of his behavior. Additionally, the overall tone of the story was rather depressing. Reading about children who couldn't eat or had lost their parents was heart-wrenching.

Overall, I would recommend this book to those who prefer a realistic genre or enjoy reading long, detailed books. However, I would only read it once. At times, it made me want to put it down and take a nap, but at other times, I couldn't stop reading, wondering if the new place would be their home. Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt is a well-written book, but like any book, it has its flaws.

I listened to this audio version of the book for the very first time. It was truly an interesting experience. I had initially read "Homecoming" way back in 1985 or 1986. I vividly remember the exact spot where I stood at the Shaler North Hills library when it was recommended to me. It's almost as if that moment is etched in my memory forever.

To assert that this book and the subsequent titles in the Tillerman Cycle have had a profound impact on my tastes, my values, and a significant portion of the trajectory of my life is by no means an exaggeration. These books have truly shaped who I am. I have a deep and abiding love for them with all my heart. They have taught me so much and opened my eyes to a world of emotions and experiences.

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading these books yet, I highly encourage you to do so. You are in for a treat that will stay with you for a long time. Trust me, once you start, you won't be able to put them down.

This has always been one of my favorite books that I read as a teenager.

I still remember the excitement and joy it brought me when I first opened its pages.

The story was so captivating and engaging that I couldn't put it down.

It took me on a journey to different worlds and introduced me to a variety of interesting characters.

Now, years later, I am glad to have gotten the opportunity to read it again.

As I flip through the pages, it feels like I am reuniting with an old friend.

The memories of my teenage years come flooding back, and I am once again沉浸 in the magic of the story.

This book has truly stood the test of time for me, and I am sure it will continue to be a beloved classic for many more generations to come.

Parts of this story really reminded me of The Boxcar Children.

I haven't read that book in ages, but it was an absolute favorite during my middle grade years.

The way certain elements in this current piece are presented has a similar charm and adventure feel.

Just like in The Boxcar Children, there is a sense of mystery and exploration.

The characters seem to be on a journey, much like the children in the classic book.

It makes me wonder what kind of exciting events and discoveries lie ahead for them.

This connection to a beloved childhood book adds an extra layer of interest and nostalgia for me.

I can't wait to see how the story unfolds and if it will continue to evoke those memories of The Boxcar Children.

Maybe it will even inspire me to pick up that old favorite again and relive those wonderful reading experiences.

I HATED this book!

From the very first page, I knew it was not going to be something I would enjoy. The writing style was dull and uninteresting, making it a chore to get through each paragraph. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real depth or personality. I found myself not caring about what happened to them at all.

The plot was also extremely predictable. I could see every twist and turn coming from a mile away, which made the reading experience even more frustrating. There was no excitement or surprise to keep me engaged.

In conclusion, I would not recommend this book to anyone. It was a waste of my time and I truly hated every moment of reading it.

**Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt: A Captivating Tale**

Cynthia Voigt's "Homecoming" was published in 1981 by Atheneum in New York. On a sweltering summer day, 13-year-old Dicey Tillerman makes a sudden and appalling discovery - her mother has deserted her and her three younger siblings. With hardly any money, Dicey courageously takes the lead and guides her family to the only place she thinks might be a safe haven - her Great Aunt Cilla's. However, the safe haven proves to be an ill fit, and Dicey embarks on yet another journey to find a new home for herself and her siblings.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any young adult reader. Dicey Tillerman's determination, perseverance, and unwavering will to safeguard her family will inspire any reader to stay engaged with this book. I firmly believe that this story of a young group of siblings striving to survive and remain together will resonate with a wide range of readers.

The characters in the story include the Tillerman siblings - Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy; Cousin Eunice; their grandmother, Abigail (Ab) Tillerman; and their mother, Liza Tillerman. The target audience for this book is young adults.

The Tillerman children, having been abandoned by their mother, embark on a perilous on-foot journey in their desperate search for a home.

There are certain elements within this story that haven't stood the test of time particularly well, leaving a hazy impression of "this wouldn't occur in such a manner today" throughout the text. This is most evident in their interactions with non-family members. However, Voigt demonstrates a remarkable talent for creating complex characters. It's not so much about subtlety as it is about nuance. The characters are flawed, messy, and self-contradictory, yet they are regarded with compassion both by Dicey and within the narrative itself.

And what an atmosphere!

"Why do Tillermans always live alone?"
"We don’t. We live together."
"Together, but all alone together," James said.
"Maybe every family feels that way," Dicey said. "Maybe that’s what families are."
"I don’t know," James said. "I don’t think so."

I have a deep affection for the premise of abandoned children, and Voigt does it justice. The long and arduous treks, the nights spent camping in parks and vacant lots, the careful penny-pinching in the discount sections of supermarkets - all of it is presented with a sense of insular comfort and stubborn pride that prevents the story from becoming overly dreary. Although I didn't grow up with this particular tale (but with Izzy, Willy-Nilly instead) and lack the nostalgia that some other readers may possess, I would have adored it back then and still find great enjoyment in it now.

This book truly brought The Boxcar Children to my mind.

The Tillerman children faced a sudden and heart-wrenching situation when their mother, who could no longer handle things mentally, abandoned them.

Under the leadership of Dicey, their eldest sister, they embarked on a journey to find a place where they could stay together as a family.

After many days of walking, scrounging for food, hiding from those who might cause them trouble, and using their remarkable ingenuity, they finally reached their Great-Aunt Cilla's.

Each of the children had their own unique gifts and also their share of problems.

In Bridgeport, they were met with the sad news that Aunt Cilla had passed away.

To make matters worse, they discovered that Cousin Eunice was unable to cope and wanted to split the family apart.

So, off they went again, this time to Maryland in search of their maternal grandmother.

This time, they had a bit more money and could use means of transportation other than just their feet.

Some of the solutions they came up with were truly ingenious.

However, along the way, they also encountered danger and made some new friends.

Once they arrived at Gram's farm, they found that their problems were far from over.

Despite all the challenges, I am completely hooked and am definitely going to read more of this wonderful series!

This was my second time listening to this.

And it was every bit as good as I remembered.

The first time I heard it, it had made a profound impression on me.

The beautiful melody, the touching lyrics, and the wonderful performance all combined to create a truly unforgettable experience.

So, when I had the opportunity to listen to it again, I was really excited.

As the music started playing, I was immediately drawn in.

The familiar sounds washed over me, and I felt a sense of calm and relaxation.

The more I listened, the more I realized that this was not just a song, but a work of art.

It had the power to touch my heart and soul, and to make me feel emotions that I had never felt before.

I am so glad that I had the chance to listen to this again, and I will definitely be listening to it many more times in the future.