Rams Readers Spring 2014 discussion
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Homecoming
Homecoming
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Ok, I can't be the only one that thought these were the luckiest kids in the whole world. I am still surprised nothing worse than ESCAPING from Rudyard (before anything bad even happened) was the worst of their troubles during their travels. And these have to be the most resourceful kids ever. I would have starved or drowned or something. Pretty incredible.However, I don't think the story was told in an unbelievable way either. You got the impression right away that these kids were already used to fending for themselves and that Dicey had been in the mom role for years. Because of this I can see how this book can be relatable to some kids. We have these kids in our class, we have Diceys who carry much more responsibility than they should. We have angry young children like Sammy in our class.
In the end the kids in this book are saved by a grandmother that lives in what may as well be heaven for them (water, sailboat, big yard...) where as our kids may never be saved by anyone other than themselves. While they found their savior in the end, I think the strength shown by the characters in the book is inspirational. They didn't feel sorry for themselves and they did what they had to do.
I enjoyed this book and the various discussions that could be had, especially in a safety and ethical tone. I have read the reviews for Dicey's Song and will probably pick that up... when I have the extra time to read.
V, what do you think the author was implying about religion? I took it as the kids not having prior experience with religion of any sort and not understanding why their cousin would say it was her duty to God to take care of them. In their eyes you do whatever you can for your family without question or hesitation.I think the marriage thing explained a lot about their mother's personality before her mental illness as well as her relationship to the mother that her own children didn't know existed. The children were given closure by the truth. I am not sure if the author had an ulterior motive in this or if it was to add insight to the characters.
This book was very moving and emotional, one problem I had with it was the extensive descriptions and length. I think the overall plot of the story was full of life lessons. The children in this story are abandoned and set off to find what they believe to be a real home. Throughout their journey, on foot may I remind you, they have many experiences. They first set off to find their Aunt Cilla, and then stay with Cousin Eunice. Though they had a place to stay, they decide that this is not the home that they imagined and decide to look for their grandmother. One of my favorite parts of the story was when Will the guy at the circus stands up for them to Mr. Rudyard. Mr. Rudyard who seems nice in the beginning takes advantage of the kids and plans on not paying them for their work, so they decide to run away.
Once the children finally meet their grandma, they realize that she wasn't what as "crazy" as everyone had said and in the end felt like this was the home that they had been searching for.
Overall, I admire the determination of these children to stick together and find the life that they imagined during the hard times. I think that this would be a great book to keep in a classroom library or use as a class read. There are many great themes that could be discussed and many students could relate to this situation. I think there are some students that have struggles that may feel like they are abandoned and that the weight of the world is on their shoulders, could relate to this story.
I liked Homecoming I thought the story had several lessons that kids could learn from. The actual story I feel was very drawn out.It was hard for me to accept how far four kids were able to go on a few bucks. I was very sad when the mom left them. I admired Dicey's determination to keep her family together and get to where she was wanting to go. I do not think that teenagers would find this story completely believable but I think that they would find it somewhat interesting. This story would be good to teach students to be grateful for what they have because someone somewhere may have it worse.
Jenna I would have definitely died before getting to my destination also.I was a upset that father Joseph called Maybeth retarded. Did anyone else get upset?
Maira,You would definetly have to explain how much the value of a dollar has changed in the last 20 years! The same goes for the use of the word retarded. It's an unacceptable term now but because I knew the book was dated I didn't get too upset. I felt bad for Maybeth and Dicey having to deal with the situation but I knew they were really looking out for her best interests.
Maira and Jenna,Even though the setting was about 20 years ago, it still seems they were able to accomplish a lot with what money Dicey was able to earn.
I didn't like the use of the word "retarded" either, but what really made me angry was, I think it was the grandmother, who point blank asked either Dicey or Maybeth if she was retarded. If they were asking Dicey, I think it was in Maybeth's presence. I felt that was really abrasive. I had come to feel very protective of Maybeth.
V. wrote: "The ending of Homecoming was satisfying for me, but I thought it took a long time to get there. I often felt the plot line wouldn't actually unfold in real life the way it did in the book. For ex..."Well for me this book is unbelievable. I don't see how these kids would have survive on their own like this. It was good I guess but not one of my favorite. I kept asking myself why the milk didn't spoil. If you kept milk as long as Dicey did it would spoil. Also, I don't 4 kids walking down a major highway would go unnoticed today. Maybe in the time period it was written. Even then it is very unbelievable that no harm would not have come to them. I don't like the use of the word retarded either but that is what they used in the 60's and we don't know as much as we know today about mental retardation. Another thing, I don't think the money they had would have been able to stretche as far as it did. Overall I give this book a 6 on a scale from 1-10 with 10 being the best ever.
Maira wrote: "I liked Homecoming I thought the story had several lessons that kids could learn from. The actual story I feel was very drawn out.It was hard for me to accept how far four kids were able to go on a..."Yes, I agree it was very drawn out and hard to read. I had trouble finishing it. The Giver and The Son were fast reads, I didn't want to put them down. The HOmecoming was a chore to read for me just like the Catcher in the Rye. I would rather have read something more current that would take so long to read.
Jenna wrote: "Ok, I can't be the only one that thought these were the luckiest kids in the whole world. I am still surprised nothing worse than ESCAPING from Rudyard (before anything bad even happened) was the w..."I agree, I kept waiting for something really bad to happen but it really never did. I told my granson about this story and ask him what he thought of such a story and he said, "Boring." He did however recommend me some books to read. He is so funny.
Regarding nothing bad happening to the kids: I was very worried when Dicey was approached by the young college student, invited to his dorm room, and then the roommate driving them to Cousin Eunice's house. I was super anxious when Rudyard kept eyeing MayBeth. I became worried again when they got on the sailboat with the teenage boys. I'm thankful God watches out for us.
Jenna wrote: "Maira,You would definetly have to explain how much the value of a dollar has changed in the last 20 years! The same goes for the use of the word retarded. It's an unacceptable term now but because..."
Maira, I thought the same thing. But like V. said during these times it wasn't as socially unacceptable like it is now.
This story, to me had a "omg factor" hearing how the mother woke up the children one night, telling them they were going to go on a trip to see a great aunt they never met. When on the way having stopped at a shopping mall, their mother left them. Something you think that can be so horrible as a parent, or coming from a close bonded family. But these things do happen in the real world, we see these things on the news, but very frequently do we hear from the children's side. This story you will as you journey with the children on what to do now after having been left alone. I think the main reason why Dicey wanted to not call the police like some of us would question, is because she wants to keep her family together as much as she can. Great story, can relate to students today, and is an eye opener.
Mod
Jaime wrote: "This book was very moving and emotional, one problem I had with it was the extensive descriptions and length. I think the overall plot of the story was full of life lessons. The children in this st..."This book was very extensive and I felt I could have ended earlier, however I did enjoy reading it. The adventures these children went through are amazing and their bond is so sweet. They may not have always agreed but in the end they did as Dicey said. These children were definitely survivors.
I believe this would be a great read aloud book, although it is very lengthy. The mother leaving the children was harsh, but unfortunately it is something we see more and more common. Dicey had to take on the role of being the mother although she was still a teenager. However, it seems like she has been dealing with these struggles for awhile now. Her desire to keep her siblings together and how she sacrificed and took on so much responsibility is simply admirable. I for one at her age, perhaps wouldn't have been able to get past the security officer much less lead my siblings hours away to an unknown place. The way she handled money and quick on her feet to solve many issues is amazing. I was very disappointed once the children met their cousin Eunice, I wish she would have been of more help. But thank goodness for Grandma, she truly turned things around for the children. Happy ending indeed!!!
This book is about an unstable single mom who is suffering from poverty and mental illness raising four kids. She drives them to the mall in her old car and tells them to wait in the car. After the mall closes, they can’t find her and they realize she is not coming back and Dicey, a young teen takes charge. She knows if they go to the police they will be sent to different foster home. So they decided to set out for a relative’s house several states away who they think will take them in. This follows their desperate situation to find a home so they can stay together and is a very powerful read.
All of these stories seemed to be sad and depressing. However, I do believe a lot of students in title one schools and other schools as well can relate to this story. Many students have to pretty much "raise" them selves. Sometimes mom doesn't come home... or has left and big brother or sister is left in charge. This story is very believable because things like this does happen. Most children the age of Dicey, wouldn't know what to do to keep surviving and may not have the 'Guts" to travel far to another relative's house. This book reminds me of a movie I saw, the grandmother of 3 children suddenly didn't come home from work one night. So the children started to become worried, hungry etc. They went to search for their Aunt and then decided that wasn't the place for them...needless to say it ended up being a perfect home for them later on. I think students could definitely relate to this book.
Diana wrote: "I believe this would be a great read aloud book, although it is very lengthy. The mother leaving the children was harsh, but unfortunately it is something we see more and more common. Dicey had to ..."So true, this happens a lot more often than people realize. Children who live in poverty often times are left to be raised by a close relative other than their parents. So you are right it is very common today.
As the oldest of four children myself, I can identify with Dicey in some ways. I admired her thinking about the consequences of their mother abandoning them and her determination to keep all of the children together. She used her knowledge of each of her sibling's personalities to help her lead them as they journeyed to find a home. That same knowledge and love also gave her the courage to leave Cousin Eunice's home. But at the same time, I am puzzled about the author's tone when she writes about Cousin Eunice, the priests, the nuns, and the children being assisted by the Catholic church. I think Dicey is correct in concluding that the personal cost to the children is too great to stay with Eunice, but as a non-Catholic Christian, I'm offended by what the author implies.
I'm also somewhat miffed about the author's tone toward marriage. The reader knows that even though the mother wasn't married, she wasn't promiscuous. She chose not to marry because of her observation of her own parents' marriage. Gram has come to the realization that not asserting herself in her marriage resulted in unhappiness, suppressed anger, and loss of self. Are these really the issues that result in the children having no one to care for them? I feel for the mom being overwhelmed with responsibility without emotional or financial resources.
In the end, I like Gram and admire her decision to take on the responsibility of these children. I think she sees hope in the situation as she considers James' ideas for the farm and how it might support them.