Common Sense Media Review
Classic novel of four brave children looking for a home.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Based on 19 kid reviews
Kids say the book is polarizing, with some praising its thought-provoking themes and character development while others criticize its slow pace, lack of plot, and flat characters. Despite the mixed reviews, it seems to resonate particularly well with readers looking for deeper messages about family and gratitude amid struggles, but it may not appeal to those preferring fast-paced narratives.
- mixed reviews
- character development
- slow pace
- thought-provoking themes
- family struggles
- life lessons
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Part survival tale, part family story, this classic on-the-road novel features a family of four brave children led by 13-year-old Dicey. Abandoned by their mother in the parking lot of a Connecticut mall, the Tillerman children make a long, dangerous trip to Maryland to find a home.
Is It Any Good?
The plot sprawls, but that's acceptable in a road novel. The tedium, heat, danger, and unexpected pleasures of the journey are evoked in beautiful, sometimes heart-stopping images. However, some of the adult characters' dialogue doesn't sound entirely believable.
The lead character, Dicey Tillerman, absolutely carries this book. She is a magnificent girl -- fiercely loyal, endlessly resourceful, and intuitive, yet with the short temper and quick emotions of any 13-year-old. Seen through Dicey's watchful eyes, the other children are every bit as believable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the various definitions of "home" and "family," as well as the importance of sticking together in tough times.
How does Dicey's relationship with her siblings change over the course of Homecoming?
If you were in Dicey's position, would you have done anything differently?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Atheneum
- Publication date : January 1, 1981
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 12
- Number of pages : 388
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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