Homecoming

Reach for this book when your child is facing a major transition, feeling the weight of adult responsibilities, or struggling with a sense of security. It is a profound exploration of grit and sibling loyalty that validates the feelings of children who feel they must grow up too fast. The story follows thirteen year old Dicey Tillerman as she leads her three younger siblings across states on foot after their mother abandons them at a mall. While the premise is heavy, the focus is on the children's resourcefulness and the quiet strength of their bond. It is a realistic, unsentimental look at poverty and abandonment that ultimately celebrates the power of moving forward. Ideal for middle schoolers, it provides a safe space to discuss resilience, the definition of home, and the reality that adults are sometimes fallible. Parents will appreciate how it honors a child's agency without masking the difficulty of their journey.