| After losing her job and single-handedly raising four children, their mother just broke down. Her mind just stopped. And she never came back. Leaving the children alone in the car alone on a hot summer day, worried and frightened, but still awaiting her return. A whole day and long night went by and still nothing. The only thing to do was the only thing they would do to stay together. So Dicey, the eldest child or four, lightened their load and set off to join a family none have them have ever known, but family nonetheless.
Underestimating how far it really was to aunt Cilla's house, dicey got a lot of problems from her younger siblings James, 10, Maybeth, 9, and Sammy, 6, who didn't even want to go in the first place. Traveling at the speed of ten miles per day on foot caused financial problems, especially since they only had about seven dollars, and wasted a large percent of it on impractical food and drink. Luckily for them Dicey was able to read a map, and was able to find shelter. Dicey was even able to find small odd jobs to raise a small amount of money so they could still eat. The Tillermens never steal, so it is said but that trait skipped little Sammy who felt the need to provide for his hungry family. Arriving in a college town there was no where to sleep, Dicey his her family under a bush in the park, and sobbed for them for not being warm and taken care of. When a dark figure sat next to her she didn't know what to think, and when he asked to help her she was even more confused, hesitating at first but then decided her family needs a place to stay. “Are you alone?” Asked the stranger to Dicey. “No I have my family with me,” Dicey shyfully stated. This was the best decision Dicey could make for her family. They were fed, washed, and well rested. They were even offered a ride to their great aunt's house. They were very grateful, but James didn't quite know how to make up for stealing the money from Stewart, the one who was helping them. After apologizing repeatedly they were forgiven and sang with Stewart. By that night, after playing at the beach, they arrived at their aunt's house. Nothing. So they waited, and waited until a shrill small woman with large curls walks past them into the house. Confused they wait for her to speak to them. And she walks by again. “Excuse me, but what do you want?” the little woman in black seemed frightened. “We're the Tillermens, we're looking for our great aunt Cilla, and we were hoping you might be her.” Dicey replied. This seemed to calm her and she let them inside and told them that she was their cousin Eunice and her mother had been dead for some time. Staying there was a bad idea. James was getting a good education. But Maybeth and Sammy were having trouble in their schooling, and Dicey wasn't enjoying doing chores for Cousin Eunice. After receiving a check for the car they had abandoned in Peewauket, Dicey got a few odd jobs washing windows. After getting enough money to travel to Crisfeild to see her grandmother, she takes the children to the summer school at the covenant the Father had them attend. After packing Dicey was almost set,but there was a few tag alongs, to grandmothers house they went. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book? - thoughtful Time/era of story - 1960's-1970's Kids growing up/acting up? Yes Is this an adult or child's book? - Age 11-14 Age group of kid(s) in story: - grade school Parents/lack of parents problem? Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - a teen Ethnicity/Nationality Main Adversary Identity: - none Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 8 () United States Yes Writing Style Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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