i read this when i was 12 and i was able to understand everything fine...i probably could' have even if i read it at nine...but seeing as i was 12 i was closer to Dicey's age so i was able to relate to her more there fore helping me understand the text a little bit better.
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Homecoming
(1981, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction, Written by Cynthia Voigt)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Classic novel spotlights four brave children.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 11 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Homecoming
Parents need to know that the plot follows four children, aged 6 to 13, who are abandoned by their mother and left in the family car to fend for themselves. While trying to find their mother again, they must endure difficult circumstances, including poverty, hunger, and serious physical danger. Mental illness and death are also discussed.
Read our full review by Cindy Kane
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the various definitions of "home" and "family," as well as the importance of sticking together in the face of tough times. Does Dicey's relationship with her siblings change over the course of the book? How so? If you were in Dicey's position, would you have done anything differently?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
perfect for anyone over the age of 10
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Homecoming
Homecoming is a good book. I recommend it to 11 year olds and up. The book is mainly about four children who are abandoned by their mother and so they have to travel many different places just to find a home.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Sad and happy. I didn't want to put it down until it was done!
After raising four children by herself, their mother just broke down. Her mind just stopped, she ran away from her problems. Then she never came back. Their mother stopped at a shopping center in Connecticut. She left the children in the car alone on a hot summer day. The children were worried and didn’t think she was coming back, but they still awaited her return. A whole day and whole night went by and still nothing. The only thing they could do is stay together. Dicey, the eldest child of the four took charge and began to be the mother of the family. They left the car in parking lot by the shopping center, and set off to meet an aunt whom they’d never met, in Bridgeport. After a while the four realized how far away it really was to aunt Cilla's house. Dicey got a lot of fighting and tantrums from her younger siblings James, 10, Maybeth, 9, and Sammy, 6. They traveled from five to ten miles per day, by walking. They only had seven dollars to begin with, so it was hard to get food and everything else in order to live, without any money. Luckily for them Dicey could to read a map, and was able to find some place safe to sleep at night, most of the time. The first place that they stayed was at a camp ground. Dicey was able to find small jobs to earn little money so they could still eat. The Tillermans never steal, but I think that trait skipped Sammy, who felt he had to steal for his family, in order to be able to eat. When they got to a town with a college there was nowhere to sleep. Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy stayed under a bush in front of the college, until young student at the college sat next to her. She didn't know what to think, and when he asked to help her she was even more confused and unsure of things. She hesitated at first, but then decided her family needed a place to stay. This was the best decision thatDicey could make for her family. They were fed, washed, and slept in warm beds. They were even offered a ride to their great aunt Cilla’s house. They were very grateful, so Stewart, the one who was helping them, gave them a ride to aunt Cilia’s. By that night, they made it to their aunt's house. They waited, and waited until a small woman with big hair walked past them into the house. Confused they waited for her They asked for their aunt Cilla and the woman with big hair had told them Cilla died awhile ago. This woman’s name was Eunice and she was the children’s cousin. The Tillermans stayed with cousin Eunice for awhile. Staying there was a bad idea. James was getting good schooling, but Maybeth and Sammy were having trouble in their schooling, and Dicey wasn't enjoying doing chores for Cousin Eunice everyday. After getting a check for the car they had abandoned in Peewauket, Connecticut, Dicey got a few more jobs washing windows. After getting enough money to travel to Crisfield to see her grandma the four children were alone and traveling again. It seemed like forever to get to get to their grandma's house. Now you finish the story. Those are just bits and pieces of the story It was great!!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
I loved it!
Hi, i read this book with a group of people. We all loved it and i want to read on but since were in a group i cant. Although i didnt finish reading it im about thalf-way through, i still cant wait to find out what happens. i loveeee this book. its awesome! you definitly have to not just read, but buy this book!
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
this is one of the best books i've read in quite a while
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