Rating: Summary: Dicey's Song Review: 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
Rating: Summary: Great read for struggling teens Review: Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt was a great book for teens that are struggling with growing up and letting go of past events. Probably girls would like it more because it tends to be sentimental at times. It is easy to become sympathetic for Dicey after learning about her hard childhood in which she was mostly responsible for her younger siblings. However, this book was not written to gain pity for Dicey. This book was written to show how terrible pasts can become triumphant futures. Dicey had a really hard time adjusting to her new surroundings after her mother was put in rehab and was sent to live on her grandmother's farm. She had to let her grandmother take charge, and let someone else do the worrying for her. She had to learn to accept her new role in the family, all while trying to figure out just exactly who Dicey Tillerman was. Every teen goes through having to adapt to new things, whether it be physical changes, social changes, or emotional changes. Dicey struggled with all of these things. She just wanted to be a little girl again, because she realized that her childhood years had been spent being "mom". 'I don't want to grow up!', was Dicey's internal cry. She finally realized that she had to accept her new life. When she learned to let go and give control to someone else, in this case, her grandmother, a huge weight was lifted from her and she was much happier. It seems to me that most teens are quite stubborn and tend to hold onto one thing, when in fact that one thing is holding us back from living life to the fullest. This book was a great read, and pretty deep for teen fiction. I was overall really impressed with Voigt's language and voice that really came out in this piece. Anyone who likes to read about identity struggles would like this book. However, if you need a really complex plot to float your boat, this one isn't for you.
Rating: Summary: Bookcrazy Review: I Loved the book but I kept on getting very confuised at time and I have to go back and reread it. I think the writer could have told the story a bit more discriptive on some the parts. But other than that I Loved the story
Rating: Summary: memorable...just as good as the first one if not better Review: Cynthia Voigt really out did herself this time. Dicey's Song is the second book in the Tillerman Cycle, and follows the same story from her first book, Homecoming. Although I think that it might be best to have read the first book before diving into Dicey's Song I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys watching a character grow emotionally and internally. ... What I liked most about the book is that Voigt really develops the plot into life like situations. She shows the ups and downs in life and isn't afraid to put the sheer truth out. As the novel progresses Dicey is faced with one of the most difficult situations yet. From this experience she learns that life is unpredictable and never gets any easier. The entire novel will touch your heart, it sure touched mine.
Rating: Summary: Great book Review: Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt is an easy read for any girls age 11-14. This book is definitely a girl book. You can really relate to Dicey because although her obstacles in life are different than the average girl her age, she still struggles in life like the rest of us girls. Dicey, along with her two younger brothers, Sammy and James, and her younger sister, Maybeth, experience loss, love, happiness, and sadness together. Dicey's childhood was a very difficult one, one in a very poor family, a single mother, and problems at school. Then Dicey's mom runs away, and is later found to be in an asylum for the crazy. The four Tillerman kids are sent to live with their grandmother (Gram) that they had never met, on her farm. The little ones are adapting well and Dicey's happy, but she is learning that with Momma she had to play the role of parent. Although now with Gram she can be a little kid again Dicey seems to be okay with that, and you can really tell that, that is what she wants, to be taken care of, like a little kid instead of taking care of the little ones like she's used to. The four of them are doing fine. James is doing great in school, as usual, Sammy isn't getting into too many fights at school, and Maybeth, aside from her struggle with reading (which James is helping her fix) is doing good and is excelling in her piano lessons. Dicey is doing pretty good in school and she is even making a couple friends to be with. Dicey is with her friends sometimes during her free time, although she doesn't have much free time with school, homework, and her job working for one of Gram's childhood friends at the general store. Now the Tillermans are in a safe home, but is it permanent? What's going to happen if Gram decides that she doesn't want to adopt the kids for good? Where will they live? Also Gram has told Dicey that they are going up to Boston, but why? Is it to visit Momma? Maybe she's better, or maybe worse. I recommend this book to any girl age 11-14, who just wants a fun easy read.
Rating: Summary: deceptively simple masterpiece Review: The thing I most love about Cynthia Voigt's writing in general, and the Tillerman series in particular, is her understanding of what makes people tick. This is especially evident in this novel, which deservedly won the Newbery Medal. Much of the interest of the story centres around Dicey's development, growth and change, and her attempts to understand people and the relationships between them. Cynthia Voigt is also unusual among YA writers in her consistent development of the adult characters as complex and real; evading the trap of making them simply foils for the teen protagonist or a catalyst in the story. A book that can stand on its own as well as part of a series, and one that will be treasured by those who love thoughtful stories about real people.
Rating: Summary: Dicey's Song Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: Fine... Review: At first when I read this book, I was bored out of my wits. I had to read this book for a school project, which I really didn't want to do. I almost fell asleep during the first 50 pages of the book. But near the end, the plot got a lot better and I enjoyed it more. It was very interesting, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the first book in the Tillerman series. I had many questions, like- Why was the mother mentally ill? How did they get with Gram? etc. But his is a great book that pulls you into the story, especially at the very end. I know I put in 3 stars for this book, but I would rather have put in 3 and a half- I really enjoyed this.
Rating: Summary: you can't let go of this book Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: To let go, hold on and reach out Review: It's simple but you can't put it down easily. It's not so touched but it gives you something. Dicey, Jame, Maybeth and Sammy find the place to settle and start their life after they had to suffer many things. That's why Dicey said their road had ended here. Here where is a house of their Gram who they never know before. But Gram is the one who take care them after their mother is unable to do this duty. And Gram is also the one who guide Dicey, the oldest granddaughter, how to let go, hold on and reach out till Dicey is ready for the world. Dicey is like the boat that has to be fixed before sail to the ocean. Gram is like sandpaper or any tool that use for fixing. Then, when the boat is strong enough, it's ready for the ocean and for the freedom
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