Summary
The second in
what is called the Tillerman family “cycle,” this book continues the saga in
the lives of the four Tillerman children: Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy. Under
the leadership of fourteen-year-old Dicey, the children leave their mentally
ill mother behind in Massachusetts and forge their own way to their
grandmother’s house on the eastern shores of Maryland. They are tired and full
of trepidation about their future. “Gram,” whom they have never met before,
almost begrudgingly accepts them into her home. The family slowly settles into
their new pattern of life, but not without angst on the part of Dicey. Because
of her mother’s mental illness, Dicey has always been the one who is
responsible for the well-being of her siblings. Can she let go and allow her
grandmother to take over where she left off? The book follows Dicey’s new life,
as she learns to make friends, give appropriate guidance to her siblings, and
understand her seemingly unlovable grandmother. As the fledgling family unit
faces financial struggles, trouble in school, learning disabilities, prejudice,
and even death, Dicey must learn to forge her own unique identity, apart from
her brothers and sister who no longer need her constant leadership in their
lives.
Interest
Because of its
female protagonist and its focus on the thoughts and feelings of its
protagonist, this book would be most suitable for a female audience. Its focus
on social significance and search for personal values would make it appropriate
for those readers that are in the middle-to-late adolescent stage.
Developing Well-Adjusted Readers
Progressive Independence and Separation
from Parents: The
entire premise of the book is centered around Dicey’s ability to make decisions
apart from her parents’ influence. Unlike many adolescents, Dicey is forced to
face this issue: she must become independent and separate from her parent to
protect herself and her siblings. When she and her siblings arrive at her
grandmother’s house, however, Dicey is then forced to determine where exactly
she fits into the scheme of things. Because of the presence of their
grandmother in their lives, her siblings no longer need Dicey’s constant
support. Dicey must then decide who she is and what her role is in relation to
her family. She does not face this conundrum alone, however, as her grandmother
steps in to guide her in becoming an independent, mature adolescent. With the
prevalence of dysfunctional families in our society, many adolescents will be
able to relate to Dicey’s struggle to gain her own sense of independence apart
from her family.
Changed Relationship with Peers: Up until now,
Dicey’s life has been consumed with protecting her family physically and
emotionally from the evils of the world around them. When she and her siblings
settle into routine with their grandmother, however, Dicey begins to realize
that she can focus on other things outside of her immediate family unit. An
upperclassman named Jeff starts a rather unconventional friendship with Dicey,
as he regales Dicey with his guitar after school on a daily basis. Despite
numerous attempts by a girl named Mina to reach out to her, Dicey keeps her
peers at arm’s length rather than allow them to possibly reject her once they
find out the truth about her dysfunctional family. Mina continues to reach out
to Dicey and even publicly defends Dicey’s tenuous reputation to an authority
figure. This unexpected act of kindness begins to break down the walls of
Dicey’s insecurity, and Dicey finds herself wanting to open herself up to her
newfound friends. Many teens will certainly be able to relate to Dicey’s
feeling of insecurity and will applaud her development when she allows herself
to become vulnerable for the sake of meaningful friendship.
Finding a Significant Role Model: At the beginning
of the book, Dicey does not have a role model. In the wake of her mother’s
declining mental health, Dicey, the child, has to become the parent figure to
her mother and siblings. Her world is turned upside down, however, when she and
her siblings enter their grandmother’s life. Although her grandmother has a
gruff and hardened exterior, she proves to be soft and lovable as her character
develops throughout the book. Because they both have been terribly hurt by
people who love them, Dicey and “Gram” are similar in their temperaments.
Little does Dicey know that she needs Gram’s guidance in her life, and, it is
with Gram’s guidance that this young woman on the verge of adulthood learns to
mature. Gram encourages Dicey, the consummate tomboy, to wear what more becomes
a young lady. Gram takes the stress of the financial and emotional worries from
Dicey and only chooses to share them with Dicey when she feels it would grow
her as a person. When Dicey and her grandmother face the a severe trial
together, Dicey realizes that her grandmother, not her mother, would be the one
to help her navigate the sometimes sticky maze of life. This book will
encourage especially those adolescents who come from dysfunctional backgrounds
to seek out someone to mentor and guide them through what can be very confusing
years.
Coming to Terms with the Body: Because Dicey is
a tomboy by nature, she struggles with the idea of growing up and the outcomes
that come naturally because of it. To Dicey, clothing should be comfortable,
and the idea of having to wear a garment because she was a “girl” is appalling
to her. When Gram takes Dicey shopping for appropriate undergarments, Dicey is
furious. Her fury changes, however, when Gram insists that she try on a denim
jumper and gorgeous velvet brown dress. When Dicey assesses herself in the
mirror wearing the beautiful clothing, she no longer sees a girl, but an
attractive young woman – and she likes what she sees. The adolescent reader
will be able to identify with Dicey’s initial antagonism toward her inevitable
maturity, as well as appreciate her ultimate acceptance of her femininity.
Relating to the Opposite Sex: Because Dicey is
still trying to forge her own identity, the idea of sexuality does not overtly
appear in the book. The relationship between Dicey and Jeff is mainly platonic,
although Dicey finds herself at times wanting to feel more for him. When her
employer suggests that Jeff is her boyfriend, Dicey outwardly scoffs at the
idea, but inwardly she begins to subtly entertain the prospect. Dicey must come
to an understanding of who she is and how she fits into the world around her
before she can be smitten by a member of the opposite sex.
Achieving a Sense of Status: In her hometown
in Massachusetts, Dicey and her siblings were ill-regarded by society. In her
new surroundings, Dicey seeks to avoid that perception by covering up her
family history. When her English teacher assigns a writing essay, Dicey decides
to covertly write about her mother. This seems to be Dicey’s way of allowing
her classmates a glimpse into her world. Dicey is proud of her paper and is
sure that her teacher will have nothing but praise for it. She is shocked,
however, when her teacher accuses her publicly of plagiarizing. After Mina
orally defends Dicey in front of the class, her teacher retracts his opinion
and profusely apologizes to Dicey. Dicey certainly displays great skill in
writing and uses that skill to try to prove to her classmates that she was a
valuable human being. When Mina and even her grandmother applaud her efforts,
Dicey’s realizes that she has achieved her goal: she is accepted by those who
are most important to her. I think teen readers could relate to Dicey’s desire
to be accepted and will applaud her efforts in finding a sense of belonging
with those that matter.
Achieving an Integrated System of
Values: Dicey
has always been the protector of her family. Because she has had to exude a
tough exterior, she has forced herself to suppress those feelings that may come
naturally. When Dicey and her siblings begin living with Gram, however, Dicey
comes to realize that it is safe for her to begin feeling again. Throughout the
book, Dicey learns to accept herself for who and what she is, to become
vulnerable for the sake of friendship, and to see others (especially Gram) for
what they are on the inside. She is no longer living life in survival mode –
she can now begin living life with the help of her grandmother behind her.
Work Experience: Because Dicey
has always been the provider/protector for her family, she takes it upon
herself to seek a job to help the family along financially. With her sharp persuasive
skills, she convinces the simple owner of the locally owned grocery store to
employ her. She performs her tasks with such attention to detail and skill that
the store begins to pick up more customers as a result. Through her work
experience, Dicey learns to budget her money – giving most of what she makes to
her grandmother for living expenses, giving her siblings a small allowance, and
setting some aside for her personal use. As a result, Dicey begins to
understand what a means to be a contributing member of her family rather than
sole provider.
Making a Vocational Choice: The book does
not specifically address the issue of vocational choice. Because Dicey is
gifted intellectually in multiple areas, one can assume that she will be
encouraged by her family and friends to pursue that which fits her best. The
reader gets the sense that Dicey Tillerman will “break the cycle” of her
dysfunctional family to become something worthwhile.
Issues
While I have not
read the entire series, I do not foresee the Christian school teacher having to
address any issues when teaching through this particular book or encouraging
his students to read it.
Recommendations
This book is the 1983 Newbery
winner. Because this is number two in a seven-book series, I would probably
recommend the reading of the entire series, although I have not yet personally
done so. The character development in this book is intriguing and realistic.
The plot is believable and draws you in. This book would certainly give students
insight into the mind and feelings of those children who come from
dysfunctional families. The overriding theme of the book is learning to let go,
which Dicey must do while still “holding on” to her family. Her struggle to
find the balance in this area is balanced by Gram’s quiet but firm guidance.
Gram does not want Dicey to make the same mistakes that she herself has made,
and she will do what it takes to lead Dicey down the right path. Adolescents
will certainly be able to relate to Dicey’s coming of age frustrations and will
appreciate the strides she makes with each step of her unique journey.
