The time is now, and the place is the Chesapeake Bay region. Four children begin shaping a new life with their grandmother, each in the way which seems right for that individual. The absorbing sequel to Homecoming is primarily Dicey's story, although the strong characterizations of James, Sammy, Maybeth, Gram and the people they meet enrich the skillfully-crafted novel enormously. (9-13 years)

The Newbery-winning novel in Cynthia Voigt’s timeless Tillerman cycle.

When Momma abandoned Dicey Tillerman and her three siblings in a mall parking lot and was later traced to an asylum where she lay unrecognizing, unknowing, she left her four children no choice but to get on by themselves. They set off alone on foot over hundreds of miles until they finally found someone to take them in. Gram’s rundown farm isn’t perfect, but they can stay together as a family—which is all Dicey really wanted.

But after watching over the others for so long, it’s hard for Dicey to know what to do now. Her own identity has been so wrapped up in being the caretaker, navigator, penny counter, and decision maker that she’s not sure how to let go of some responsibilities while still keeping a sense of herself. But when the past comes back with devastating force, Dicey sees just how necessary—and painful—letting go can be.