"Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt is a book that has both its strengths and weaknesses.

Personally, it wouldn't be among my top favorites. In fact, I had a fair share of dislikes towards it. It wasn't that I hated it with a passion, but I simply wouldn't recommend it to just anyone.

The initial premise of four kids being abandoned and having to find their way home seemed like a great plot that could potentially lead to an amazing story. However, as I delved into the book, I quickly realized that there were some issues.

One major problem was that Voigt spent an excessive amount of time delving into details and describing everything in a rather surreal manner. It made me constantly question if all this description had any real purpose or if it was leading to something significant. Sadly, I was often left disappointed as paragraph after paragraph of descriptive language seemed to lead nowhere but to more description.

I found myself dozing off multiple times while reading this book, which is never a good sign. If the author had toned down the description a bit, the book would undoubtedly have been several pages shorter.

On a positive note, the unique personalities of the characters were truly enjoyable. The eldest sibling, Dicey Tillerman, was the wise and responsible one. She could come up with a plan in an instant, remained calm under pressure, and always knew what was best for her family, making her a great guardian.

James, the second eldest, was the "know-it-all" and extremely intelligent 10-year-old. Maybeth, the second youngest, was a shy and quiet 9-year-old. And Sammy, the youngest, was a brave yet stubborn 6-year-old who had a hard time adjusting to difficult situations.

Cousin Eunice was the most foolish character in the story, and there were times when I wanted to punch her in the face if it were possible. And then there was grandmother, who took the kids in and provided them with a proper home.

The overall plot of the story was indeed amazing. It was very original, unlike many other books. It really made the reader wonder if the children would reach their destination safely given the circumstances. It also made me reflect on what a home truly is. Is it just a place to live in, or is it a place where you are surrounded by loved ones who make you feel safe?

In the end, the Tillermans realized that all of this and more could be found at Grandma's home, their true home.

The book "Homecoming" had its ups and downs, but I can't say it wasn't worth the read. It could have been better, but every book has its flaws, just like this one. Even though I wasn't overly thrilled by it, I'm sure many others enjoyed it.

"Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt was an extraordinary book for me, yet it was truly disheartening. This book was filled with numerous sorrowful scenes and moments that made me want to pause reading for a while or skip those parts.

Before delving into the book, just by glancing at the cover, I assumed it was about four joyous children with a wonderful life and a happy family. However, I was completely mistaken.

In the beginning, when the kids were in the parking lot, I expected the mother to return directly from the mall, but she never did. Sadly, she went crazy, perhaps due to the many hardships the family was facing. This meant that four young children were left all alone, with no other adult family member nearby to assist or protect them.

This made me sad as six-year-old Sammy was too young to comprehend everything happening. Every day, he kept hoping his mother would come back, but unfortunately, she didn't. It made me think of my little siblings, hoping they would never experience such a situation like the Tillerman children.

When this unfortunate event occurred, Dicey, the oldest Tillerman child, made a momentous decision to travel on foot to Bridgeport, their destination to live with their Great Aunt Cilla, which was miles away.

What I didn't like about this idea was that Dicey was too young to drive, and they would have to spend many nights in public places. They might have to do whatever it takes to get food, save money, and earn money, which is extremely difficult for children without an adult to take care of them.

During their journey, I was constantly nervous and paranoid that something bad would happen to them, like someone hurting or stealing them. I was very sad whenever they had to sleep on the floor in a public place where they knew nothing about their surroundings. It's not fair for any child to endure that, always having to choose a place where no one would find them while they slept.

When they reached their destination, their high hopes of finding a home were dashed as they discovered that their Aunt Cilla had passed away. Later, they found themselves with a relative they had never met before, cousin Eunice.

When I read this, I initially thought they had finally found a home, but instead, she did very little to help or protect them and instead controlled them all. She even tried to separate them.

This made me feel terrible for Dicey and her younger siblings as they seemed to have a special and strong bond. It would hurt them if they were separated, and it also made me think about my own family and how miserable I would be if we were separated.

In the end, I'm glad Dicey decided to look for her grandmother. At first, she seemed horrible, but she turned out to be a good person and gave them the home they had been seeking.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone as it was far too depressing for me and put me in a bad mood while reading.

I am not entirely certain how this particular thing managed to come to my attention. However, I must say that I derived far more enjoyment from it than I initially anticipated.

The plot of this story unfolds at a somewhat slower pace, and at times, it didn't always give the impression of being entirely realistic. Although perhaps this could be attributed to the difference in the time period in which it was set?

Nonetheless, I found myself completely enamored with the four siblings. Their interactions, personalities, and the relationships they shared were truly captivating.

And let me tell you, the ending of the book was absolutely wonderful. It tied up all the loose ends in a way that left me feeling satisfied and with a warm glow inside. It was a fitting conclusion to what had been an engaging and enjoyable read.

This is truly so nostalgic.

It evokes a flood of memories from the past.

Even though time has passed, my love for it remains as strong as ever.

I first came across it when I was approximately 9 years old.

That was a long time ago, but the impact it had on me has endured.

Every time I think of it, a smile不自觉地creeps onto my face.

It holds a special place in my heart, a place that is reserved for the things that have truly touched my soul.

Perhaps it's the simplicity of it, or maybe it's the emotions it stirs within me.

Whatever the reason, I know that I will always cherish this piece of my childhood.

It is a reminder of a time when life was simpler and more carefree.

A time when the world was full of wonder and possibility.

And for that, I am truly grateful.

So, in the book "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt, I had somewhat mixed feelings.

I had never heard of Cynthia Voigt before, which made me approach the book with a certain level of uncertainty. Additionally, the book had some small letters that were really close together, and I found it difficult to deal with such close letters.

In the beginning of the book, we are introduced to the Tillerman children - Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy. They are not actual siblings but are very close. Dicey, only thirteen years old, has to take on the responsibility of babysitting them all as their mother has left them. Maybeth is thought to be disabled as she is a slow learner and not very helpful to the others.

Near the end of the book, the Tillerman children go to the circus in search of help from the people around to find their parents. However, they receive no assistance and end up having to sneak around, essentially having their own little adventure.

Finally, by the end of the story, the Tillerman children have found their forever home after their long journey. I liked this book because of the twists and turns it contained and the different personalities of each child. However, I didn't like it as much because it didn't provide great details about the setting, and there weren't many problems in the story. It was more of an up and down situation. Nevertheless, I would still recommend reading this book!

"Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt is a book that presents a mixed bag of experiences for me.

At the start, it seems like an interesting premise. The story follows 12-year-old Dicey, 10-year-old James, nine-year-old Maybeth, and six-year-old Sammy who are left homeless when their mother abandons them in front of a local mall. The children then decide to hitchhike to their Aunt Cilla's "big white house" in Bridgeport.

In the beginning, I was quite intrigued. I thought it might be a story that would expand my reading horizons. However, as I delved deeper into the book, around two chapters in, I noticed the excessive use of figurative language and an overwhelming amount of details. I continued reading mainly because it was a classroom assignment and a priority for my English class. The initial part was indeed strong and appealing, but as the story progressed, I often found myself dozing off or even falling asleep.

Near the middle, when the family meets Windy and Stuart, there is a glimmer of hope for something interesting to happen. The two college boys provide the children with a place to sleep and food. But when James steals a twenty-dollar bill from them, a whole philosophical discussion about honesty and morals ensues. While this might be appropriate for a children's book, I'm not sure it fits well in a young adult book as it is sometimes classified.

When the children finally reach Aunt Cilla's house, they discover that it's not what they expected and that Aunt Cilla is no longer there. Instead, her daughter Eunice lives in the house. Here, the children are somewhat categorized based on their abilities. Dicey becomes the "live-in maid," James is seen as the "nerd," Maybeth is treated like a doll, and Sammy is the troublemaker. Just when they seem to have found a place to stay, they decide to set off again in search of their grandmother, who is rumored to be a psychopath.

The end of the book is where I finally find some interest. After a series of adventures and encounters with various people, they reach their grandmother's house. She turns out to be mean and rude, but the children manage to convince her to let them stay by doing work around the house. This also helps to build a bond between them. In the end, their grandmother decides to let them live with her.

Overall, the book has some interesting elements such as the use of figurative language and detailed descriptions that can vividly bring the scenes to life. However, as a young adult book, the story could have been better. There were perhaps too many pages dedicated to details and not enough interesting plotlines like romance. The book had its highs and lows, but unfortunately, it had more negative impacts on me than positive. If I had to recommend it to a friend, I would probably say, "Just stay away from this book!" It's not the worst book I've read, but it's definitely not the best either.

According to Goodreads, I had read this before.

However, I do not remember it at all.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this book.

It reads like a long walk, which encourages you to slow down and take it all in.

I truly appreciate the sibling relationships and the focus on family and what that means.

This book has made me realize that I will have to finish the Tillerman Cycle now.

I am excited to explore the other books in the series and see how the story continues.

I have a feeling that it will be just as engaging and thought-provoking as this one.

I can't wait to see what adventures the Tillerman family will embark on next.

I'm sure it will be a journey worth taking.

Part 1 was indeed good and held great promise. It showed a lot of potential and had me quite engaged from the start.

However, the first half of Part 2 was a bit of a letdown. It seemed to be a repeat of the first half of Part 1, which made it rather dull and uninteresting.

I found myself really struggling to get through it. It felt quite tedious and monotonous.

I was hoping for something new and exciting in Part 2, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver in the first half.

I'm still hopeful that the second half of Part 2 will pick up and offer something more engaging and unique.

Until then, I'll just have to push through the tedium and see where the story takes me.

Rediscovered this title for a book bingo square.

As a young adult, I had already read this book, and it was truly interesting to reread it, especially this time by listening.

The story has withstood the test of time and remains something that I thoroughly enjoyed. Both the prose and the plot are engaging and captivating.

The beautiful language used in the book adds an extra layer of charm, while the well-developed plot keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

I am extremely glad that I picked up this title again. It has brought back memories and provided me with a new perspective on the story.

It serves as a reminder that some books are timeless classics that can be enjoyed over and over again.

I would highly recommend this book to others, whether they are new readers or those who are looking to revisit a beloved title.

It is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf and is sure to provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment.

I firmly believe that this book is extremely tense. From the very beginning, it grabs your attention and doesn't let go. The plot unfolds in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly wondering what will happen next.

As you read it, you would find yourself falling deep into the book. The author has crafted a world that is so vivid and engaging that you can't help but get lost in it. You become invested in the characters and their stories, feeling their emotions as if they were your own.

The book's pacing is perfect, with just the right amount of action and suspense to keep you hooked. It's not just a page-turner; it's a book that you won't be able to put down until you've reached the end. Whether you're a fan of thrillers or just looking for a good read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

This was an extremely interesting read.

At the very beginning, I simply couldn't refrain from constantly thinking about how the events described in the book could not conceivably occur in today's world.

Here were 4 kids, all 13 years old and under, traveling entirely on their own, on foot, for weeks at a stretch.

However, once I made the decision to stop fretting about that particular aspect, I found myself enjoying the book to a great extent.

I firmly believe that I would have adored it had I been a kid myself.

The story seems to transport the reader into a different realm, one where the innocence and courage of the children prevail.

It makes you question the limitations we often impose on ourselves and our children in the modern age.

Overall, it was a captivating and thought-provoking experience.

Homecoming
Cynthia Voigt

- Main Characters

Dicey, just thirteen, is thrust into the role of a leader and has to grow up too fast. When her mother abandons her and her siblings in the car, she becomes their parent. She works hard to pay for their journey and lead them to safety.

James, a ten-year-old intelligent boy, is always there to help Dicey. Despite his age, he is mature and trustworthy. He adapts well to new situations and easily fits in at school.

Maybeth, a quiet and shy nine-year-old, has trouble expressing herself in front of strangers. She is smart, but many mistake her for being retarded because she doesn't speak up. She is determined to prove herself and not be held back in school.

Sammy, a six-year-old energetic and loyal boy, believes their mother will come back. He is daring and steals food and money for the family when needed.

Their grandmother is said to be rude and mentally ill, but they seek shelter at her house. She is a complex woman who has some good in her.

Cousin Eunice is a kind but frantic woman. She is stressed and obsessed with having a neat house. She makes Dicey do endless chores and punishes the children. However, she also provides food and shelter.

Momma is a sweet but crazed woman. She loves her children but is overwhelmed by the stress of being divorced with four children. This leads her to abandon them in a mall parking lot.

- Plot

The four Tillerman children live with their mom in a small house in Province Town, New Jersey. One day, they head to their aunt's house in Bridgeport. Their mom leaves them in the car at the mall and never returns. Dicey, the oldest, uses a map to find a relative's house and leads the children on a journey. Along the way, they face many challenges, including lack of money, food, and water. They have to stop to fish, build fires, and buy the cheapest food they can find. Will they make it to their relative's alive? And will they find the right people to trust?

- Conflict and Resolution

The main conflict in the story is the long and艰难 journey on foot. The children have very little money, food, and liquids. They are tired and hungry. Dicey has to make difficult decisions, such as whether to stop and fish or continue walking. They also struggle to find the right guardian. The conflict is resolved when they arrive at the house of a relative who is willing to take them in. They have found a home and are together, which is the most important thing. But what will the guardian's reaction be to having four children?

- Opinion of the Book

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was captivating from start to finish. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, wondering if the children had enough food and money, and what Dicey would do next. I admire Dicey's decision-making skills and her ability to put the needs of her family first. The children's determination to prove themselves and not give up is also very inspiring. Homecoming is a well-written and engaging book that I would highly recommend to others. It had a positive impact on me as a reader and made me appreciate the importance of family and perseverance.