Homecoming: by Cynthia Voigt

Homecoming

by Cynthia Voigt

Reviewed by Jonathan Qin

Fall 2016

REVIEW: Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt

ISBN#: 0-689-86361-6

THE STORY:

The Tillermans were going to Aunt Cilla’s house in Bridgeport for support after having a financial crisis. The entire family thought that Aunt Cilla lived in a huge white mansion by the seaside. However, during the trip there, the four children were abandoned by their mother in the car in the middle of Connecticut. Their mother just left and never came back, putting the eldest child, Dicey Tillerman, a thirteen year old girl, in charge. After a day of waiting for their mother to return, the four children, led by Dicey, decided to travel to Aunt Cilla’s home by foot. Along the way they find jobs, make friends, catch fish and clams, and steal; whatever they need to do to get to Aunt Cilla’s house in Bridgeport. However, upon reaching Aunt Cilla’s house, they find that the huge white mansion was actually a small house, and that Aunt Cilla was dead. Cousin Eunice takes them in, yet they all feel that this wasn’t the home they were looking for.
While at Cousin Eunice’s home, the younger kids go to church while Dicey finds jobs and earns so decent money. After staying there for a while, they set foot again, this time headed for their grandmother’s home in Crisfield. They are better off with an ample supply of money and a clear sense of direction. However, they don’t know what their grandmother is like and whether or not she would take them in. Along the journey, they discover secrets about their family, and get a glimpse of their future.

MY OPINION:

At a glance, I thought that the entire story would just be a fictional story about four kids struggling to reach their Aunt’s house. Then I realized a deeper meaning. The entire book is about what home is to people and what a home really means. Throughout the book, a reference and debate about what a home is is shown. The tombstone and the repeatedly brought up quote of how, “Home is the hunter, home from the hill, and the sailor home from the sea.” This underlying theme made the story much more interesting to read. The sea is also continuously brought up, and how the children loved the water. They went fishing, clamming, and swam. They were born by the sea. Before, I thought this was only an aside from the story. However, after finishing the book, I realized that also contained a deeper meaning. The sea represents being home free, a shifting home, a place that people can enjoy and relax at, but can never stay. The only weakness of the book might be that some parts of the book were irrelevant in driving the plot. The book was just at my level, with a few challenging words, but understandable. I recommend this book to middle schoolers, and I would definitely read it again. I think there is more hidden messages that I haven’t found yet in the story. I rate it 9 out of 10 starts.

STUDY QUESTIONS AND VOCABULARY:

FIRST SECTION

1. Why were the Tillermans headed for Bridgeport?

1a. To get to Aunt Cilla’s house for support.

2. How would they get to Bridgeport?

2a. They would walk to Bridgeport because their mom left them in the car.

3. What would they do at the park (Rockland)?

3a. They would go fishing and clamming after buying fish hooks and spools.

4. What would Dicey do with the wallet that Sammy stole?

4a. Dicey would go return the wallet to the area Sammy found it despite their need for money.

5. What would the Tillermans do after they see the police lights?

5a. They would leave the park and head to Bridgeport on Route 1 again.

Exude (pg. 9)

Macadam (pg. 23)

Promontories (pg. 54)

Reproachful (pg. 82)

Resolutely (pg. 105)

MIDDLE SECTION

1. What would the Tillermans do once they reached Cousin Eunice’s home?

1a. Dicey would stay home and do chores while James, Maybeth, and Sammy went to school and church.

2. What happened to the Tillermans’ car after they abandoned it?

2a. It was sold and the profit from its sale was mailed to Dicey.

3. Will Dicey go to Crisfield alone?

3a. She was deciding to go alone on a short trip, but James caught her and eventually she brought everyone along on the trip.

4. How will the Tillermans get to Eaton?

4a. James and Dicey will convince Jerry and Tom to sail them across the lake.

5. What will the Tillermans do to get money?

5a. They will get hired by Mr. Rudyard for picking bushels.

Linoleum (pg. 143)

Compensation (pg. 164)

Squeegee (pg. 182)

Tenuous (pg. 214)

Genoa (pg. 251)

LAST SECTION

1. Would Mr. Rudyard get revenge?

1a. Mr.Rudyard found the Tillermans, but they were under protection from the circus.

2. How do the Tillermans get to Crisfield?

2a. The circus drives them to Crisfield.

3. Does Dicey get work from her grandmother?

3a. Yes, she gets work from her grandmother by helping with the farm, and in return they get to stay in a silent, mutual agreement.

4. Will the Tillermans be able to stay forever?

4a. No, her grandmother told them they can’t stay at her home.

5. Do the Tillermans end up staying even though their grandmother told them they can’t?

5a.  Yes, Dicey is able to convince her grandmother to let them stay with her.

Meandering (pg. 290)

Burgeoned (pg. 312)

Unappeasable (pg. 333)

Ladled (pg. 361)

Contrary (pg. 384)