Dicey’s Song by Cynthia Voigt won the 1983 Newbery. It’s the second installment in a seven-part series called the Tillerman Cycle. I read the first book of the series in fourth grade, and I clearly remember being completely taken with Homecoming: the details of these kids being abandoned, counting their money and buying a tiny bit of food at a time, and carrying their food in paper bags for miles and miles as they traveled by foot along the highway to find their grandmother. I had remembered that the main character was Dicey, so when I picked up Dicey’s Song I just assumed it was the first book in the series that I had read in fourth grade, and I had just forgotten the title. So a page into reading this book, which picks up exactly at the end of Homecoming, I was a little disappointed that I wasn’t going to return to the book I had such fond memories of, but within four pages I was hooked on this new one. Now the Tillermans (Dicey on the cusp of puberty and her three younger siblings Sammy, Maybeth, and James) have made it to Crisfield, Maryland and their Grandmother, and now have the task of becoming a family.
What I liked. The characters. These characters are so well-written. They are strong and believable. They are all deeply likable because they are trying hard to consistently do the right thing, and at the same time they have flaws and challenges. I love how smart they are and how they figure out problems like Maybeth’s learning disability. I think what Cynthia Voigt does so well is to take the details of every day life that kids are familiar with—grocery stores, school, home—and to let her characters get to do daring problem-solving that regular kids don’t, because their parents are there to do it for them.
What was interesting. The setting! I loved that it was in Maryland (and fairly close to the setting of Jacob Have I Loved which was also in a more rural bit of Maryland). When I lived in Maryland it was fairly close to DC, but at least once a year we’d cross the Chesapeake Bay and go over to the Eastern shore. Dicey’s love of her sail boat reminds me a bit of Evan’s family’s love of sail boats, and the whole thing made me miss Maryland.
What were some limitations. I really think this is such a lovely book, I can’t think of any limitations. I don’t think Dicey’s learning about sex and kissing is a limitation, but it might be helpful in knowing there are a few passing references, in terms of knowing when a child is emotionally ready to read it. Also there is a lot of heaviness with Dicey’s mother, which is well written but also lends this coming of age book to a slightly older middle grade audience.
Similarity to other Newbery winners. It reminds me of Up A Road Slowly, The Witch of Black Bird Pond, A Gathering of Days in terms of a young girl coming to terms with the death of her mother. In terms of strong and likable protagonists taking care of younger brothers, it’s like A Wrinkle in Time, The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler, and Summer of the Swans.
What it teaches me as a writer. I just love how much Cynthia Voigt lets you think and problem solve with Dicey and her family. I think the warmth of family really comes through in allowing everyone to bring their strengths into handling the day to day challenges of learning to be a family. Also, I really admire Cynthia Voigt’s ability to write a sequel that continues the story and the characters, but also allows them to stand on their own. Perhaps the key to these two books doing that so well is that setting and plot are so different from a traveling/journey book to one in which people are settling and putting down roots. I’m amazed that there are seven books in this series, but finishing this one makes me want to keep journeying with this family.
Have you read Dicey’s Song? What are your favorite books that are sequels as strong as the first book in a series?
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