Homecoming (Tillerman Series)

Description

"IT'S STILL TRUE."

That's the first thing James Tillerman says to his sister Dicey every morning. It's still true that their mother has abandoned the four Tillerman children somewhere in the middle of Connecticut. It's still true they have to find their way, somehow, to Great-aunt Cilla's house in Bridgeport, which may be their only hope of staying together as a family.

But when they get to Bridgeport, they learn that Great-aunt Cilla has died, and the home they find with her daughter, Eunice, isn't the permanent haven they've been searching for. So their journey continues to its unexpected conclusion -- and some surprising discoveries about their history, and their future.

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Customer Reviews

An Education for Spoiled Children
I read some of the reviews written by adolescents, and I guess I'm not surprised by the comments. It is interesting to know that people think this could never happen in real life. I'm a social worker, and I have heard stories very similar to the one told by this book. Where do people think that the homeless and mentally ill live or find food? How do you think they survive?
This book is about courage, strength, and the will to keep a family together despite insurmountable odds. This book isn't necessarily about entertaining the reader. It's about EDUCATING the reader. Your life isn't the only life in this world. There is suffering and pain that exists on a whole other level that many of the children born today can never understand. Technology has rendered our society lazy, selfish, and ambivalent. This book is a gem, and should be treated as such.

2010-07-21 | New Mama (Ballston Lake, NY) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Refreshingly sophistocated
I read this book in elementary school, remembered how much I liked it then, and then rebought it last week. It was as satisfying a read now as it was 20 years ago. The story of Dicey Tillerman and her efforts to keep her family together long enough to find a permanent home is a really beautiful message about the importance of family. Dicey never gives up; she's a strong role model for her younger brothers and sisters. The children make it through their journey due to her wits, her determination, and a little help from others.

Some of the critical reviews state this was an improbable journey. Children would be noticed walking like the Tillermans did. They wouldn't be that lucky to escape notice, both good and bad. And the money--could they have survived on what she had available financially? Keep in mind this was the 80s, a simpler time. I could imagine myself walking and not getting noticed back then. Kids walked places. And the money? That's an inflation issue--written today, she'd have had more money.

I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Tillerman books. From Voight's prose, I found myself trying to imagine where the kids were on their journey down the Eastern Shore. It was well-researched and very knowledgable. The story felt genuine; I got very angry that no one seemed to want these kids who were trying so hard to find a place in the world. And I appreciated that the book seems to say that people are good, for the most part. People help the kids along the way; Stewart and Windy give them a place to stay on a cold night and give James a lesson in being honorable, and Will and Claire provide them safety and joy at a time when that is gone. Even their grandmother has a certain kindness and a willingness to adapt to the children.

It's a great book. I'm glad I rediscovered it.

2010-06-28 (Maryland!) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Favorite as a child!!
This book was my absolute favorite growing up! I have been in search of this book for over 13 years, since I was a freshan in High School, and my worn out copy disappeared. I have not been able to get this story out of my head! Here I am, all these years later still compelled & captivated by the Tillman children. Never did I know that that this book was the first of a series! Had I known, I would've owned/read them all. But today I do know, therefore I will be buying them all tonight!

2010-03-23 (TEXAS, USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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One of my all time favorites.
I loved this book as a young teen. I was compelled by the story. So much so, that happening upon it on Amazon has made me remember how I felt while reading it. Love it! It's one of my all time favorite books from my childhood. Oddly enough I've never read the sequels. Now I'm inspired to reread this one, and then finally tackle the others.

2010-02-20 | arielgirl (Livonia, MI United States) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Homecoming-the longest book I've ever read
Dicey Tillerman and her three younger siblings are abandoned by their troubled mother in a mall parking lot. The children wait on her for awhile then come to realize they need to move on. With limited funds and no transportation other than their feet they begin their trek to their grandmother in Bridgeport. Dicey, James, Maybeth and Sammy encounter many obstacles on their trip. They have to avoid authority figures and adults who'd question their voyage and lack of supervision. A stint in a national park is prolonged by a head injury of James. Unfortunately, but needed, they resort to stealing, even though they all agree it's wrong. Eventually they get to Bridgeport only to find a cousin instead of their grandmother. After staying for her for awhile the children leave again, to find their other grandmother. Crossing water on borrowed boats and using trains the youngsters finally arrive. Taken back by their eccentric grandmother's stand-offish nature they work hard to prove their importance and worth. In the end she gladly agrees to keep them on as living companions.
Foreshadowing appears many times in the book, including when they arrive in Bridgeport. The children are uneasy and their cousin flighty, pointing to that the children will once again leave. Characterization is apparent especially at the beginning when the author describes Dicey as strong and resourceful. Hyperbole is used to explain the kids' cousin Eunice as a devout Catholic who lives a fussy and flighty life, rarely showing affection or appreciation.
The best part of the book was the last half, starting with the children's short stay with a circus and resulting in their permanent residence at their grandmothers. Between those two points the children do many things, including working on their grandmother's farm, struggling to earn the privilege of a home with her.
The worst part of the book was some of the beginning when all the children did was walk and worry about money, yet it was realistic and occasionally mesmerizing, as was the rest of the book.

2010-02-15 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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The Runner (The Tillerman Series #4)

Product Details

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• Acclimatize: New
• ISBN13: 9781416903413

Description

A SPEEDING BULLET

Bullet Tillerman runs. He runs to escape the criticism of his harsh, unforgiving father. He runs to numb the pain of his mother's inability to express her love. He is the star of the school track team, but he isn't a team man and doesn't want to be. Bullet runs for himself.

Bullet is unlikely choice to be asked to coach a new, African-American team member. But in coaching Tamer Shipp, Bullet learns some things about himself -- who he is, and who he can perhaps become.

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Customer Reviews

Another wonderful story of the Tillerman family saga!
"The Runner" once again keeps you riveted to each page until the end! A continuing story of the
amazing Tillerman family, it stands alone as a wonderful story, or is even better when it's read in continuation of the seven book Tillerman saga. It reminds us all of when we were young, how important it is to be yourself at all costs, and to fight for all you are worth to be who you are.
I am 67 years old, and have recently discovered the writings of Cynthia Voight. I know these books are listed 'for young people' but they transcend all ages! It would be a shame if only children read these incredible books, The Runner included! Gail James

2010-07-08 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Really great book! Love the Tillerman series!
This book goes back in time to tell the story of the Tillerman kids' uncle "Bullet", who was later killed in VietNam. I loved it!

2010-07-05 (good ol' U.S.A.) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Unforgettable
The entire Tillerman Series is unforgettable. In THE RUNNER, the reader learns about the horrific conditions the Tillermans' mother (Liza) grew up in, and what happened to her brother, Bullet. What shapes a person - prejudice, abuse, love or lack of - is an overall theme. Cynthia Voigt doesn't waste a word - each one builds on the next developing the characters, connecting the reader to the point that you are lost in the book. Doesn't matter how old you are, it's a great read.

2010-02-21 (Milwaukee, WI) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Great book, just need to be a little patient
I read many Cynthia Voigt books years ago, but never came across The Runner. I happened on it during a book shortage while I was traveling recently. This book starts off a bit slow and heavy-handed. Initially I thought, I wonder if this is how all Cynthia Voigt's books are, but I was just too young to realize it before? But before too long I actually cared where she was planning to take the story, and by about halfway through I was hooked. Bullet is a fascinating character, as is his relationship with his mother. The social/political aspects of the story do come across as a bit much early on, but are easier to take as the story progresses. For me, this did not add much to the story, but I can see that it could be compelling, interesting, and valuable for young teens, especially those growing up in the early 21st century. I'm glad I found this book and I look forward to reading it again with my own kids in 8-10 years. It has also made me interested in going to back to read my old favorites by Ms. Voigt. I highly recommend it.

2008-06-06 (Chicago, IL USA) | Helpful Votes: 6 | Rating: 4

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Why we are how we are
This novel (a prequel to Homecoming) may be one of the very best revelations of why it is that so many gifted young people simply cannot see beyond their (mostly imagined) limitations and end up so badly. Although the central character, Bullet, is not very sympathetic at the beginning of the novel, painfully he changes and engages the reader. Yet, in spite of his gained insights and his talents and opportunities, they are not enough to save him.
A stunner of a book, especially for adolescents. I simply cannot imagine why this book has not been reviewed (and enthusiastically) before now; it is well written to a fault, economical in style, true and poignant. I have taught it to many young people, none of whom have failed to be moved by it. One of Voigt's absolute best. You will not regret buying and reading it, and my bet is that you will then try to turn other people on to it. Never trust anyone who says, "Trust me", but trust me on this.

2007-06-30 (Lexington, MA USA) | Helpful Votes: 19 | Rating: 5

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Building Blocks (Point)

Description

What would it be like to be older than your father?

Brann Connell is sick of hearing his parents argue all the time. Seems to Brann his dad could stand up for himself more, instead of building a wall of excuses to hide behind. But some things never change -- after all, his dad has always been this way. Or has he?

Brann never imagined that he would actually get the chance to find out. But suddenly he is hurled back in time to spend the day with his father as a young boy. In this single mystifying day of adventure, Brann discovers that there is more to his dad -- and fate -- than he thought.

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Customer Reviews

Buliding Blocks, a great story
This book was very well written in terms of plot, setting, characters and descriptions.

2004-10-02 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Walking a mile in my father's shoes...
The novel starts out with Brann (a twelve year old boy) not understanding his parents "Level Two" fight, where he took his mother's side in the dispute and did not understand his father's point, nor did he respect his father all too much. He crept into the basement to escape the dispute, only to fall into another world, another adventure. As he fell asleep in the middle of a fortress of building blocks, he then awoke to a new world, where his father was two years younger than himself. Their day was full of adventures, all of which Brann took a great deal of learning from. His father grew up a lot different than he provided for his son, and Brann was able to see where his father was coming from. We all have misunderstandings with our parents, and have trouble understanding their thoughts and points. Here, Brann is able to see the events that shaped his father, including the one event that shattered him the most. It gave meaning to walking a mile in someone elses shoes to see their point of view. I, overall, think this book is great for older children to read. It will help them to gain perspective in one way or another. The only gripe I had with this book is the handful of grammar and spelling errors that appeared throughout the novel. I do not know if this is because of the editing, or the publishing or who is responsible for looking out for that, but there were obvious mis-spellings, wrong word uses, and apostrophe use. It just really distracted me at points from reading the text. But other than those issues, the novel was well written: It had an exciting plot that draws the reader in, along with relatable characters whom the reader can easily relate to. Like I stated before, a great novel for older elementary aged children.

2002-09-25 | flutedaisy (Elizabethtown, Pa United States) | Helpful Votes: 6 | Rating: 4

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A valuable lesson through someone else's experience
While his parents were arguing, Brann went down stairs to the cellar and located his father's building blocks, which had been passed down through generations. He built a fortress and went to sleep on the cement floor. He awoke on a wooden floor looking at his father who was now ten years old back in l939. During this adventure he learned why his father married his mother and came to understand more about his mother's and his father's personalities. Because of this experience he saved the marriage between his parents due to the fact that you really don't know somebody unless you knew them when they were a kid. Kids don't have so many walls built around them to hide behind and keep safe.

I think it would be great if we could go back in time and meet my father and talk to him when he was the age of ten. If this was possible we could save a lot of relationships and we would have a better world. It is true that we really don't know somebody unless you knew him ar her as a child because they haven't had a chance to build all those walls around them.

1999-04-06 | Helpful Votes: 10 | Rating: 5

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Dicey's Song (The Tillerman Series #2)

Description

Letting Go

The four Tillerman children finally have a home at their grandmother's rundown farm on the Maryland shore. It's what Dicey has dreamed of for her three younger siblings, but after watching over the others for so long, it's hard to let go. Who is Dicey, if she's no longer the caretaker for her family?

Dicey finds herself in new friends, in a growing relationship with her grandmother, and in the satisfaction of refinishing the old boat she found in the barn. Then, as Dicey experiences the trials and pleasures of making a new life, the past comes back with devastating force, and Dicey learns just how necessary -- and painful -- letting go can be.

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Customer Reviews

AN AWESOME "PAGE TURNER"
This is an absolutely gripping story. It is incredible and absorbing. Young readers will love this astonishing book. I couldn't put this brilliant book down.

2010-07-28 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Dicey's Song-The Second Longest Book I've Ever Read
Dicey and her three siblings arrived at their grandmothers' house from Massachusetts. Their gram takes them in. Dicey gets a job, James tries to do well in school and help Maybeth. Maybeth is pestered as always by her teachers, but is tutored and works hard enough to make it pass. She also flourishes with her musical talent. Sammy picks up a paper route and tries to help the others. Their mother is mentally ill and in a hospital the whole book, but at the end she dies with Dicey and her grandmother in the city with her. This makes the children stronger and all of them stronger as a family, especially when Gram signs adoption papers to keep the kids in her life forever.
Literary devices were shown when foreshadowing was seen. It was apparent when Dicey started working on the boat, meaning that she'd be sticking around long enough to finish working on it. Symbolism is shown in the boat, and in her apron that she makes. The boat is symbolizing the only thing that's really stayed constant in her life, water and working. When she makes her apron she puts no thought in it, symbolizing how she doesn't care about petty things like sewing and fashion. A hyperbole is shown when Dicey said her "heart broke into pieces".
The best part of the book was the last half when the children really began to find their niche and yet interesting things were happening. They were making friends and working hard. The death of their mother threw a wretch into their plans, although it wasn't unexpected. But instead of weakening the family it made them stronger and the book ended with Gram finally opening up to the children about their families past.
The worst part of the book is hard to say. No part really stands out as being "bad" or anything specific. I thought it was all good. I may have liked it better than the first one, which is surprising for series. It was very good, as was the first book.
I would definitely recommend it though because it was interesting and especially if you read the first one, you become emotionally attached to the plot and characters.

2010-03-09 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Prospective Teachers Review
Cynthia Voigt's Newberry Award winning book "Dicey's Song" is a timeless treasure about a teenage girl and her three younger siblings who had to travel alone to their grandmother's house in order to stay together because their mother was committed to an asylum. The book begins after the children had already arrived at their grandmother's house and were trying to convince her they were a family and should stay together.
Dicey was a teenage girl who was mature beyond her age, strong willed, determined, caring, giving and intelligent. She was used to being the care giver to brothers, Sammy and James, and sister, Maybeth. Dicey had to learn to slowly let go of some of those responsibilities and focus on being herself again.
Dicey's grandmother had been living alone and in sadness after her husband passed away, her son was killed in combat and two other children became estranged. She was bitter, stubborn and set in her own ways. Hidden behind her stiff personality is the real reason she did not want Dicey and her brothers and sisters to live with her; She was afraid that she would "mess up" these children in the same way she felt she failed her own three children. After she was convinced to let them stay she begins to fall in love with the children and wanted to give them the home they deserved.
James is the older of the two boys. He is very intelligent and everyone always goes to him for solutions to their problems. He loves school but holds back his academic skills in order to fit in with the boys in his class.
Next in line is Maybeth. Musically speaking, she is brilliant and loves the piano and to sing. Academically, she has a very difficult time and is always being referred by her teachers to attend special education classes at school. Although, she struggles in school she is very dedicated and works extremely hard to keep up with the class.
Sammy is the youngest brother, and is full of life and energy. He loves to help Dicey outside with chores and takes over James' paper route because he feels he can do it just as good if not better. He's quick to defend himself and is very protective of his family and often gets into fights at school. He was the closest to his mother because he was the youngest of the four and handled his mother's departure the hardest. He has a huge heart that is full of love and is always thinking of his family before himself.
As they grow accustomed to living in Crestfield they make new friends, jobs, relationships and grow as children and as students. Dicey's Song would be a great in-class reading assignment because the students can relate with the struggles the characters face and Cynthia Voigt does an exceptional job at taking heavy issues and making them applicable and bearable in everyday life. We really enjoy and recommend this book, and the entire Tillerman Series, for all ages young and old.

2009-10-05 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Great Book
I read the first book a couple of years ago. So I decided to get the second book of the series, and I have to say that there was no dissappointment. I loved this book. And you will too

2008-11-16 | repeat reader (Montana) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Rediscovering Cynthia Voigt
One of my very favorite authors from when I was a "young adult" I recently picked up Dicey's song from a bookstore and now I remember why I loved her books so much. Cynthia Voigt really brings out the characters in her books, and makes it easy to relate to tough issues. I am looking forward to re-reading some of my old favorites and also discovering some new stories from Voigt as well.

2008-07-23 (Cape Cod, MA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Elske: A Novel of the Kingdom

Description

Two Women

Elske -- a girl with no future, until her grandmother's sacrifice saves her from certain death

Beriel -- an imperious princess, determined to claim the kingdom that is her birthright

Fate brings them together, both exiles, one servant to the other. To Beriel, the mistress, Elske offers steadfast loyalty and courage -- hard to come by in her dangerous quest to regain the throne she has been denied by treachery. To Elske, the handmaiden, Beriel's proud example provides a perhaps even more precious gift -- the strength to find her true self.

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"The Volkking struggled, but his sickness attacked him both day and night, a war band giving the enemy no respite of sleep." With the first sentence of Elske readers are tumbled into a vivid medieval world whose rich, elegant detail only continues to entrance. Newbery Award winner Cynthia Voigt (Dicey's Song) brings her Kingdom series to a superb conclusion with this fourth and final story. At age 12, living as a captive in her Viking-styled Volkaric homeland, Elske has been appointed to die. Her grandmother plots to take her place secretly, so that Elske can escape to the merchant society of Traskad. Once there, she becomes a servant to the imperious young noblewoman Beriel--who insists on being the rightful heir to the throne of The Kingdom. Elske finds that while Beriel is stubborn and headstrong, the exiled young queen matches Elske's own honesty and gutsiness, and they soon become allies in the perilous battle to regain the crown. Like the other three books in the series--Jackaroo, On Fortune's Wheel, and The Wings of a Falcon--this story is linked to the others only loosely and can easily stand alone. But young readers who have once experienced Voigt's beautifully drawn characters, lush settings, and riveting plots will certainly want to seek out the rest of the epic tale. (Ages 12 and older) --Patty Campbell

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Customer Reviews

Elske: A Novel of the Kingdom
This is the third book in a three book series. I loved the first two books (Jackaroo & On Fortune's Wheel) but this one was not very good at all. It starts out with a situation that would be the worst nightmare for most women or girls. It would pop great "innocence bubbles" for any female who doesn't spend her time watching horror films or horror stories on the news.
It also gets very confusing just trying to figure out the map; where Elske is, where the lands are that she's talking about, where her grandmother came from, which direction they're going, and such.
The book has a completely different feel than the other two books, it's a different time period, and they have very different issues than what was faced in the first books. The main characters in Elske are very harsh, there is nothing stable about Elske's life, so it's hard to get into the book. Plus, it seems to me that Cynthia Voigt had only one subject on her mind when she wrote the book, (sex) and it doesn't make for good reading, especially for teens, who don't need to be thinking about such things.
I don't recommend this book. I think if you want to read the series, you should just consider the series a two book series and leave it at that.

2009-09-26 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 1

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SACRIFICES FOR THE KINGDOM
Interspersed with gentle references to the mythical protagonist of a previous novel, JACKAROO, this story continues Voight's predilection for resourceful heroines. Set in an unspecified medieval world of fictitious geography this book presents a very young heroine who barely escapes rape and immolation as the chosen Death Maiden among the heartless Volkaric horde. Raised as a Wolfer this daughter of a gentler clime and culture avoids both fates thanks to the wisely intense foresight of her grandmother--who chose to design her own revenge on her captors.

In Trastad--a merchant city located on three islands--Elske
learns the Norther tongue, gradually relaxes in a new, more humane
lifestyle, eventually discovering that men and women can enjoy each other's private company in ways undreamed of by the hated Fruchtmen.
But when she is assigned as the servant of the Fiendly Princess--Beriel, the Queen-in-waiting--that Elske comes of political and emotional age.

Now 15 she provides invaluable service to her new mistress, who, despite her prickly, imperious manner, manages to win Elske's undying loyalty over the girl's natural obligation to her two first lords, known as Vars. But what is the fascination of this mysterious new weapon called "black powder" which men risk their lives to possess? Does Science have the power or the right to usher in the end the feudal lifestyle? Will both maid and mistress always scorn the idea of the marriage bed? How can a mere girl orphan help the future Queen regain her crown and her reputation in the distant South? Family dynamics are challenged as treachery and revenge are unleashed into an already beleaguered realm. Cleverly plotted with deep insight into the mysteries of the human heart, ELSKE proves satisfying fiction for both adults and YA readers.

2008-05-27 | PLUME45 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 3

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Good fantasy read, mature themes, best for older teens
This was a well written story, any fantasy lover will be captivated by the complete world presented. The characters are strong and memorable. Elske is a compelling heroine that sets out on her own and her wit charms many men, but only one "knows the sweet honey of her name..."

I found the author's exploration of a woman's role in the world a little predictable, but still interesting to read. The main character travels and lives in three different societies where women are treated in relatively different and sometimes brutally violent ways and readers are suppose to draw their own conclusions. I'm sure most young adult readers won't notice how formulaic it is, especially girl readers (If anything, they enjoy that and that's half the appeal of fantasy titles.)

What bothers me the most is the violence that is depicted with the Volkaric society. The first chapter has a mass rape along side with the exposure of unwanted girl babies out to feed the wolves (which the main character & her grandmother against that society's express customs snap their necks before exposing them in a stroke of mercy.) I understand the author's use of it as a contrast, and it is not a "glorified" type of violence. The darkness and evil of the Volkaric only makes Elske's character all the more luminous and good. But the violence is there all the same. There is also another "rape" that is featured in the story's plot, one that involves an unwanted pregnancy. Again, it is not glorified, but it does take a serious and complicated matter and wraps it up pretty in two chapters.

People who monitor what their children read may want to hold off on letting their younger teens read this. (I found this book in the adult section of my library and approved the librarian's discretion.) Some people will pooh-pooh this warning, some people don't care what their kids read, as long as they are reading. I myself worry that when kids are exposed to too much violence, they get de-sensitized to it. So take care with this title, its a good read, but has very mature themes in it.

2006-08-25 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 3

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Voigt could and should have done much better
I believe that Cynthia Voigt's previous installment in her "Kingdom" series was "The Wings of the Falcon". This is the only other book out of the series that I have completely read as of yet; however, it gave me the impression that Voigt is capable of writing much, much better novels than she did this time around. In "Elske", Voigt goes way into detail with less interesting events- banquets, walking from point A to point B, and so on and so forth. She also seems far too enamored by the pretty brightness and cleverness of the protagonist she has created, making much of how quick-witted Elske is while failing to put in any significant internal conflicts or character flaws that would have made her more compelling.

One thing that would have improved the story would have been if Voigt had gone more into depth about the more interesting events of the story, or at least had Elske react more strongly to them. For example, another reviewer here spoke of the relationship between Elske and Dugald, her love interest. Voigt must have put in around five short interactions between the two- more or less- before they were confessing their desire for one another. And those interactions were not very deep, either- somehow, they failed to be convincing. Birle's spontaneous love in "On Fortune's Wheel" was much more convincing than Elske's; Cynthia Voigt could have made much more of it.

Now, don't get me wrong- "Elske" is not necessarily a bad novel. The way the world and time period were depicted, as well as the customs and traditions of the peoples who inhabited it, were all very well fleshed-out and believable. However, the characters and plot were a huge disappointment after having read the much more gripping "Falcon" and parts of "On Fortune's Wheel". Perhaps the story would have been better if it had been told from the viewpoint of Beriel, the other protagonist of the story. Else was simply too bland and failed to compel. There were no faults evident in her character- she was just a pretty, modest, clever, quick-witted girl. There really was no depth to her. She reacted to just about everything with a calm that was supposed to depict her strength of character and whatnot, but really just came across as dull. Beriel, on the other hand, had a much more fiery character and went through a great deal of external AND internal conflict throughout the story- not to mention the fact that the things that befell her were far more interesting than anything that happened to Elske.

However, Elske herself aside, on its own plenty of people will enjoy reading her story. Those who really found Cynthia Voigt's other books deeper and more interesting should be a bit disappointed.

2006-01-28 | Nami (VA) | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 3

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Beware of mature subject matter
13-year-old Elske escapes rape and certain death at the hands of the leaders of her barbaric [Volkaric] society. She leaves her homeland and, through several contacts, finally becomes handmaiden to Beriel. Together they work to claim Beriel's rightful throne in the kingdom.
This book should be for mature readers only. The Volkaric society is barbaric in that there is mention that men rape women in multiples, babies are given to wolves, etc. This thread goes through the book, not in a sickening way, but being descriptive of the society. Later, there is mention of a woman's bleeding time and the description of the birth process.

2005-05-03 | Middle school media specialist (Ohio) | Helpful Votes: 4 | Rating: 2

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When She Hollers

Description

Tish has taken enough. She will no longer be abused. She will no longer be passive. So she takes a knife with her wherever she goes. Today is not going to be like any other day. Today is going to be different.

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Award-winning author Cynthia Voigt leaps into new territory with this bold novel--spanning one single, solitary day. It's the day that Tish decides that her stepfather will never touch her again. Voigt takes us nside Tish's terror and courage as she threatens her stepfather with a knife over breakfast and then makes her way to school. Calm and collected on the outside, Tish is bursting inside with fear and rage. How will she ever make it through the day? And what will happen when she gets home from school that day?

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Customer Reviews

Touching, Tragic, And Horrifying
Cynthia Voigt, the author of this exciting and adventurous book, takes you into the life of a 17 year old girl who is constantly being sexually abused by her step-father. It's full of Tish's emotions against her step-father, Tonnie's, power over her house. She finally gets the nerve to stand up for herself and bring a knife out in the open at the breakfast table against Tonnie's will. Tonnie objects to Tish's actions almost as much as Tish's mother is ignoring the whole scene.
Tish's adventure continues on into school were she throws a fit in physical education, which to me seems ridiculous because a teacher wouldn't try to start something with a student like this teacher did. She also scares her boyfriend, Kipper, and most of her friends. I don't think how her boyfriend would get scared of her when he understands what's going on in her life. She is sent to the office and a meeting is called to discuss Tish's behavior with her step father present. Tish has no other choice but to run away from school and get help. She ends up in the lawyer's office of a friend's father. I think this is good because it may seem a little easier to open up to your friend's dad, than to tell your story of being molested to a stranger.
Tish goes home to think things over and reacts. Read this book for yourself to figure out what happens.
The end of the book was not well written. I think it was meant to be a cliffhanger to make you wonder and make up the end yourself, but to me it just felt like an unfinished book; like the writer just died and someone published what the writer had and it was about ready to reveal all the solutions to every problem in the book.

2006-12-19 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 3

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Terrible
This is the only book by Cynthia Voigt that I disliked. In fact, I thought this book was dreadful!

Tish, 17 has been molested by her stepfather for years. The story opens with Tish confronting him with a knife. He puts on the soft shoe and dishes out the soft soap and the girl's mother remains deliberately clueless. Two younger brothers whose ages aren't disclosed make cameo appearances at the breakfast table; a sibling on the way is given scant mention.

Tish leaves for school against Tonnie, her stepdad's orders. She has a breakdown in school, scaring not only her boyfriend Kipper but several teachers and administrators. A conference is called and Tish bolts from the building. To make this upsetting story even more so, she runs to a law office. The lawyer is a classmate's father. How the classmate knew Tish was heading for that office is never explained.

The lawyer's response to Tish upset me because he kept insisting she was over 18. If that were the case, then he was in effect absolving himself of responsibility as the girl's teachers had been doing. Had she been 18, he would not be legally compelled to take action. That was cowardly.

The ending is unresolved with everything in limbo. One thing readers learn is that Tish's classmate Miranda killed herself after paternal molestation for years. I didn't like the way the teachers called the girl randy Randy and hinted that she got what she deserved. That made me sick and angry.

I personally did not like this book either and felt it was unrealistic and unsatisfying. Readers are left wondering what happens and the characters are choppy and the action jagged instead of smooth. It is a rather confusing story in parts with a cast of mostly unappealing characters. Someone else recommended better books on this subject and I agree - read Norma Fox Mazer's book "Silver" and "Abby My Love" by Hadley Irwin instead. This book is not one to recommend.

2005-10-30 (North American Continent) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 1

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disappointing
Having enjoyed the Tillerman Cycle books, I was greatly disappointed in this one. There were so many questions left unanswered. How long has the abuse been going on (no, that is not immaterial)? What about the natural daughter - we don't even learn how old she is? What does the boyfriend look like - we get such a detailed description of Tish, it was frustrating to have only vague details on him? When exactly did Tish discover she might be pregnant and how - especially if she's taking birth control. How close is Tish to her boyfriend - it's hinted at that she's sexually active but not explored. Why would a teacher, who has presumably been trained to spot signs and deal with abuse in her students, warn Tish that she might get a "reputation" if she tells? That rang false. And where were Voigt's usual rich 3D characters? While we got inside the head of Tish, the protagonist, and were rooting for her, feeling her pain, the other characters remained ciphers.

I was also disturbed at the blase attitude of the lawyer. Surely, he knows how volatile a situation this is. Ignoring the fact that she might resort to physical violence without exploring it with her further is neglible.

Finally, today's teens don't usually say "Gee whiz" and "Golly." I'm assuming that it's supposed to take place in the eighties, nineties or present because of the mention of AIDS.

2005-10-27 | bibliophile (boston, mass) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 2

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Wow
This is a very engaging book. I read it in two days. I didn't want it to end.

2005-04-04 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Not Cynthia Voigt's Best
Normally I love everything that Cynthia Voigt writes, but not this one. Some parts of it were realistic from what I've heard and seen in the lives of those around me who have been abused, but somehow it just never clicked for me.

I was also severely disturbed by the way the lawyer reacted to her. She was obviously a kid (I don't remember her exact age, and I don't have the book in front of me, but it seems that she was about 12 or 13), but he pretended that she was over 18. I know he was trying to give her a feeling of control over her life, but if she'd come for him to help, he shouldn't have sent her back out to face her stepfather again, carrying a knife and very obviously on the edge of doing something stupid (not to mention the fact that he could have gotten into big trouble; most 12/13 year olds don't look like they could be mistaken for 18 yr. olds).

Finally, it didn't end well. You never find out what happens between her and her stepfather; in some books it works to leave things on a cliffhanger like that, but in this one it just annoyed me (okay, it almost always annoys me, but sometimes I can appreciate that it was a good writing technique; this time I didn't think it was).

I think this is an important subject that ought to be read about, but I personally wouldn't recommend this book for that. Two other books that address the issue of sexual abuse (or, more specifically, incest) are "Silver" by Norma Fox Mazer (I know someone else already mentioned that one, but I really liked it too and thought a second mention couldn't hurt) or, if you like fantasy, "Deerskin" by Robin McKinley. Be aware that "Deerskin" is meant for a slightly older audience than this one; I don't mean subject matter so much as style, tone, and so on.

2005-03-31 (Tacoma, WA USA and Bucharest, Romania) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 1

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