Customer Reviews

Dicey's Song (The Tillerman Series #2)

5 star:		(70)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I read Dicey's Song by Cythia Voigt and I really liked it. The book Homecoming is the companion to Dicey's Song. I had read that, and I couldn't wait to read this one next. Dicey's Song talks about what happens to Tillerman's after they get to their Grandma's. Dicey is now 13 and doesn't like school, and she is having a hard time with not always doing things for her siblings. It talks about how things are different now between her siblings and her. It talks about them not needing her as much anymore. You also find out more about Dicey's mother and the relationship Dicey's mother and grandmother had. I thought the story was very suspenseful. It was hard to put down because you wanted to find out what was going to happen next to Dicey. The characters are another reason I gave the book this rating. They are great. Cythia Voigt does a great job of giving you a glimpse into the characters thoughts. My favorite character isn't Dicey though, it's her little brother Sammy. He is a goofball and the things he does crack me up. My third reason for this rating is that I liked how you got to find out what happened to the Tillerman's after they moved in with their grandma, but the story still had a plot. Some sequels can be pretty dull, but this one wasn't at all.

When the Newbery Award (given each year to a children's book that is deemed the best-written work of the past 365 days) is handed to a sequel, I always get a bit incredulous. Really? This book is great in and of itself without having read its predecessor? In my opinion, sequels should never receive awards. If you thought that they were so great, award the first book/movie/album in the series, cause otherwise the awardee isn't going to make much sense. Harumph! There are exceptions to every rule, though. "Dicey's Song" may be one of the few. Unlike Lloyd Alexander's, "The High King" or "The Grey King" by Susan Cooper (the Newbery has a penchant for "King"ly sequels), Cynthia Voigt's quiet masterpiece does not necessarily require that the reader know the story that preceded it. It wouldn't hurt and it would probably make for a much better read, but not reading "Homecoming" isn't going to lessen your enjoyment of Book Two in the Tillerman family series.

After walking with her younger brothers and sister for months and months to their grandmother's house, Dicey Tillerman and her sibs have found a home. Granted, that home is with crochety possibly-mad Grandma Tillerman, but that's good enough for them. Grandma has made it perfectly clear that she enjoys their company, regrets some of the mistakes she made with her own children, and is willing to adopt them immediately. As the eldest, Dicey is pleased but being adopted by a beloved relative isn't enough to ease her day-to-day worries. Younger brother James is making himself appear like an average kid in school (rather than the genius he truly is) so that he'll have friends. Little Maybeth has never done well in her classes, and though she's a whiz at music comprehension, she doesn't even understand basic fractions. And youngest child Sammy hasn't been getting into fights like he used to, but at the same time he's wearing this mask of being a "perfect" child at school. Such a strain is definitely gonna take its toll on him. While Dicey is worrying about these things, it's not as if her own life is perfect either. She shuns friends and cares mostly about scraping the paint off an old sailboat belonging to her grandmother. Still, as things come to a head, Dicey's gonna learn what it means to hold onto the people you love, what it means to let go, and when to decide which action to take.

Unlike "Homecoming", which was a kind of epic tale of four small children against the world, there's no real danger or adventure at the heart of "Dicey's Song". Instead, it's more of a thoughtful piece. Dicey is trying to understand what it means to be an adult. She's been acting like one, more or less, ever since her mother abandoned her children in that mall parking lot a year ago. While "Homecoming" encountered villain farmers, nice circus folk, easy-going college kids, and the task of charming an otherwise wooden grandmamma, "Dicey's Song" is about social relations. You've just survived and found someplace to live? Great! Now get along with your fellow man. It's just a difficult (sometimes more so) and requires a whole different set of muscles.

Voigt's voice in this book rings out loud and clear. It's simple writing that doesn't lower itself to simple ideas. This is a story that touches on problems that all kids face, one way or another. Doing badly in school or doing too well. Wanting to make friends or not caring whether you have friends or not. Each Tillerman child has their own separate agenda and each agenda is completely different from that of their siblings. If you think it's difficult to write a convincing three-dimensional character in a book, just imagine trying to write four. Plus Grandma. Can't forget Grandma.

So forget everything I said about sequels not deserving major awards. That idea was trumped mightily by Voigt's remarkable (and remarkably good), "Dicey's Song" back in 1983. Again, if you want to read it I urge you to seek out "Homecoming" first. If you haven't the time or inclination though, feel free to give it a go on its own. This is the kind of writing that all children should be introduced to at least once. It'll bore some, but it'll definitely thrill others.

Voight is a fantastic writer. If I hadn't been taking a childrens literature class I would not have read any of her books. Started out with Homecoming, then Dicey's Song, and then Sons From Afar. My favorite so far is Dicey's Song. I am still planning on reading more about Dicey in Seventeen Against the Dealer. I know the grandmother is old and just getting older, hope they don't have her die off. I really like the relationship that the grandmother has with all of the kids, but think there is that special bond between Dicey and herself. Just an excellent book and series about the Tillermans. Dicey and the rest of the kids turn the grandmother back into the caring person that she is - very outstanding book.

Dicey has always looked out for her family, and after her mother and father abandon her and her siblings, she feels a great responsibility to care for her brothers and sister while they are living with their grandmother. Each member of her family is having a hard time fitting in. Maybeth, her younger sister is having a very difficult time in school; her brother James is doing fine in school, but having a hard time fitting in, while her other brother Sammy is having a hard time behaving. Cynthia Voigt wonderfully describes Dicey's feelings and the troubles she's having trying to keep up with her family's troubles. Dicey's Song is a realistic book about a family, who cares very much, about each other and the people surrounding them, and their struggles to survive with very little money. Their love for each other is strong and they help each other as best they can. This is a touching book that will make you think about how lucky you really are. I really enjoyed this book because it was interesting and about every day life, it was sometimes funny, and sometimes sad, but I can assure you putting this book down will be one of the hardest things you ever do.

While I love "The Homecoming," I think "Dicey'sSong" is even better than that first novel. Having read"The Runner" before I read "The Homecoming," I came to "Dicey's Song" knowing all about Bullet and Dicey's grandmother. I understood how important it was for Dicey and her siblings to make contact with their grandmother, who had cut off all contact with the world years before. For me, Dicey really finds her home in this novel, rather than in "The Homecoming," because it's in this novel that she makes herself at home with her grandmother and her siblings. In short, a charming, touching read.

Dicey's Song is a challenging book about a thirteen year old who is trying to get her life and family back together , after their mother father abandoned them. Soon after their mother left them Dicey and her two younger brothers and sister went to live with the grandmother that they never even knew they had. I like this book because it talks about things that really happen in life. The way the author explains the problems and how she gives the character so much personality to the characters themselves. Dicey's Song is a real-life like book.This book reminds me of my friend, because my friend went to live with her grandmother just like Dicey and her brothers and sister. I would definntely recommend this book to a friend. It is a very challenging book about a persons life.When I was reading it I felt like I was Dicey. Someone who is willing to read a challenging book should buy this book right away!

Have you ever gotten lost in a good book? Well if you haven't, I suggest reading the book Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt. Dicey's Song was published by the Ballatine Publishing Group in 1982. It is a Newbery Award Winning Book. In this story Dicey has to learn to let go a little and let her siblings live their own lives. Dicey and her three younger siblings traveled to their grandmother's house last summer after their mom disappeared. Dicey, Sammy, Maybeth, and James are trying to deal with the fact that they will be living with their grandmother until her mom recovers. Even with their grandmother to take care of them, Dicey still feels responsible for what happens to her siblings. She tries to leave it up to her grandmother, but she's been taking care of them since they were little. Dicey gets a job at a local grocery store, so they can have enough money for her sister Maybeth's piano lessons. She makes two friends at school, Jeff and Mina. Mina is a preacher's daughter that is African American and Jeff plays the guitar. Right before Christmas, they recieve a letter from the hospital where her mom is. Dicey and her grandmother travel to Boston to see her. To find out what happens, read Dicey's Song. I think that anyone who enjoys getting lost in a book should read Dicey's Song. Next time you feel like reading a good book, go to the library and check out Dicey's Song.

By: Joelle Farrington

Abandoned by their mentally-ill mother, the four Tillerman siblings have - against all odds - located the grandmother who didn't even know they existed. They've persuaded her to let them stay with her in Maryland, and they're finally beginning to make a home together as family.

But 13-year-old Dicey finds it hard to let go. She's been taking care of her younger sister and brothers all her life, and suddenly she's being told to live her own life. Nonetheless, Dicey gives it her best try, finding new friends Mina and Jeff, taking on a part-time job at Millie's grocery store, and standing up against an unfair teacher.

Then, just as Dicey is beginning to accept and enjoy her new life, she learns that her mother has been found...

Dicey's song was a wonderful novel that I enjoyed and loved. The book was mainly about Dicey Tillerman and her three siblings, her grandmother, starting a new life together and how hard letting go can be. As the book went on thirteen year-old Dicey made new friends and got caught up in new relationships and matured into a young lady. Last summer (in book one, Homecoming) Dicey and her family were traveling up to Bridgeport to their aunt Cilia's house. On the way stopping at a mall Dicey and her siblings were abandoned by their mother. From there, they began a long harrowing journey to find their aunt and what happened to their mother. When they arrived, they were surprised in many different ways, and had many questions about their present, past and future.
There were many gripping events that made this book enjoyable and easy to read. I like this book because it was moving and it kept you thinking. An example is when Maybeth was having trouble in school, especially with her reading. James (the smart one) decided to be the hero and helped Maybeth. I thought to myself "Will James succeed in teaching Maybeth how to read?" and he did! That was stimulating. I liked that part because it had me engrossed into the book. Another example is when Dicey and her family received letters from the Boston Hospital about their mom. I thought in my head, "Oh my gosh, what is it, bad news or good news?" I was really worried. Also, when Dicey went to Home Economics class I always was thinking, "What is her teacher going to be annoyed about today?" Her teacher always seemed to be irritated with her. It was really funny and surprising. There were many other unforgettable events in this book that I will remember.
Of all the novels that I have read I picked this one because it had a great plot with many interesting details. It had a great moral too. I think that all these qualities were what make this an outstanding book to read. I liked this book better then the Homecoming because I thought the first one was sad and a little dramatic, but I liked that one as well. I enjoyed it because I thought it showed what life would be like for you if something as sad and devastating happened to you. The other novels were just the same but did not get me thinking as much. Right now this is my all time favorite book.
I recommend this book to young teenagers that love adventures and survival stories. I say this because Dicey's Song is a book that pulls you into the book as if you were traveling along with the Tillermans. It is exciting, touching, and overall outstanding! I loved Dicey's Song and if you read it I am sure you will too.

This book is about a girl named Dicey who also has two brothers and another sister. One day their mother left them in a parking lot and deserted them. Dicey, the oldest, cares for her siblings and they find themselves at Gram's house. Momma never talked much about her, it was an experience they'd never forget. Gram's isn't exactly the hugs and kisses kind of grandmother. Can Dicey handle school? Will she reach out to others? Hold on to her siblings? Let go of Momma? It's a memorable page turner that you can't let go of.