Newbery Books discussion

Dicey's Song won our poll for the month of June. Let's get reading and come back to discuss when we are done.

Time to start reading. Remember to add comments and join the discussion as soon as you are done.

I have tried to start reading this two or three times. I don't know if it's the older format of the book (denser text, typeface, etc) or my busy summer schedule, but I'm having a hard time making it past the first chapter.

FINALLY FINISHED! I think I will have read Homecoming, this book was OK but kinda confusing.

This book is about a girl named Dicey Tillerman who has come to live with her grandmother after being in charge of her 3 younger siblings.

Dicey is a 13 year old girl who is resourceful, a little tough, and (for lack of a better description) seriously sullen. She knows she is growing and developing but does not wish to acknowledge it. Her siblings- James, Maybeth, and Sammy have various issues that they have are scattered throughout the book. My favorite character was quite minor- I loved Jeff. He was a boy she befriended because he plays guitar and Dicey loves to sing.

Mostly I felt a tiny bit confused while reading this book. I was wondering why I wasn't liking it more. Maybe if I read the rest of the series or book #1 I would have felt a little more sympathy. I was confused as to why their Grandma was so "weird". She seemed fairly normal to me so I don't know if there is a story behind that or not. Or did I miss part of the story? It took me a little while to get into this book. Even though I liked Dicey and felt really bad about her situation I didn't LOVE her.

I appreciate Dicey's hard work and keeping her family together. I love how much she loves her brothers and sister. Grandmother Tillerman is has wonderful advice about reaching out and feeling regretful. I was more interested in wanting to know more about the mother than all the other characters.

Dicey really does seem to grow and makes at least three good friends in the end. This is NOT a plot driven book- a lot of character development so it was a little slow. Maybe I was looking for a more plot driven book and that is why I didn't like it as much as I wanted to.

I like Cynthia Voigt as an author. She makes things feel so real. She writes with clear eyes, yet with compassion, too. I first read this book ten or twelve years ago and I went on to read all the books I could find by Voigt at that time. I just reread this book for my goodreads Newbury book club. It had been a long time, so I didn't remember the details. I enjoyed it again. Some of the external details were dated, but the inner feelings of the characters were as real and relevant as ever.

I felt sad that Dicey had to be so independent and strong at a young age, but I applauded her strength of will and her fierce love for her siblings. I must say, a lot can be solved by TALKING about things instead of bottling them up inside and trying to tough it out! I've always believed that and lived by it, but I know that not everyone is blessed with a stable, loving family where they feel safe to do that. The family in this book loved each other, but didn't always know how to show it. They had hard struggles, but they didn't give up on each other which is also so important.

The story also made me appreciate the kindness of ordinary people, both friends and strangers. We all can be kind and make a difference for those we meet.

Larissa, I agree that it will make more sense to you if you read Homecoming first. That book received a Newbury Honor, I believe. Also, there is another book where Jeff is the main character called A Solitary Blue which you might enjoy.

Kristine, you might want to read Homecoming first, as well, if you have time. I think that would make Dicey's Song easier to get into. How is your summer going? What kind of busy? Hopefully fun things, too! We just got back from a trip to Seattle and an Alaska cruise which I loved! For more details, send me a personal message. :)

Kathy/Mom, post your good review in this discussion?

Voight is a talented writer. Her characters are well developed and I cared what happened to them even though I can't imagine a real 12 year old girl being as independent as Dicey. It's probably been 25 years since I read Homecoming, the first in the Tillerman series. I think I liked it a little better.