Sons from Afar facts for kids
Sons From Afar (1987) is the sixth book in Cynthia Voigt's Tillerman Cycle. This series of novels tells the story of Dicey Tillerman and her family. Other books in the series include Homecoming, Dicey's Song (which won the 1983 Newbery Medal), The Runner, A Solitary Blue, Come A Stranger, and Seventeen Against the Dealer.
Contents
Exploring the Story
In Sons From Afar, the story focuses on the younger brothers, James and Sammy. Their older sister, Dicey, and her friends Mina and Jeff are away at college. James is now 15 years old and starts to wonder about his father, who is not around.
James and Sammy decide to investigate. They go on an adventure across Maryland. They visit places like Easton, Annapolis, and Baltimore. They hope to find clues about their father's life and who he is.
At first, Sammy isn't very interested in finding their father. He thinks it doesn't affect him much. But he goes along with James to support his brother. As their journey continues, their feelings change. James learns to accept himself for who he is. Sammy realizes he needs to start asking questions about his own future. Through their adventure, they understand more about their place in their family.
Meet the Characters
Abigail "Gram" Tillerman
Gram is the grandmother of the Tillerman children. She is 64 years old. She took the children in at the end of Homecoming. Gram lives on her family farm with her grandchildren. She is a lot like Dicey, her oldest grandchild. Gram always sees the good in all the Tillermans.
James Tillerman
James is almost 16 years old. He has dark hair, a thin face, and hazel eyes. He looks younger than his age. James is a quiet and sometimes unsure young man. He worries about what others think of him. He is afraid of being called a "dork" or a "brain." He doesn't share these feelings with Gram. He doesn't want to worry her. Sammy and Maybeth know how James feels, but they don't tell him.
James finds it hard to ask for things. He fears people will say no. He also gives up easily sometimes. He is very smart. He takes advanced classes at school. However, he isn't good at sports. He is afraid of getting hurt. Even so, he joined the baseball team. He wants to look good for college applications. He doesn't like baseball and wants to quit. But he doesn't want people to think he's a quitter.
During the story, James changes his mind about his future. He first wanted to be a lawyer. Now, he wants to become a medical doctor. He works part-time at a doctor's office. He even helps figure out a patient's health problem. This experience helps him decide.
James often gets frustrated with Sammy. He thinks Sammy isn't curious or ambitious enough. But James also feels a bit jealous of Sammy. Sammy is naturally good at sports. He is also confident and accepts himself. James starts to respect Sammy more. He sees Sammy's bravery when he stands up to a grown man. This happens at a bar while they search for their father.
James never finds his father. But his experiences teach him important lessons. He learns he needs to accept himself. He realizes he shouldn't "get lost from himself." He believes his father did this. He also learns to accept his brother, Sammy.
Sammy Tillerman
Sammy is 12 years old. He has blond hair and hazel eyes. He is tall for his age and has a strong, athletic build. He looks older than he is. Sammy is very independent. He says and does what he wants. He doesn't care what others think. Other kids at school look up to him. Girls admire him, but Sammy often ignores them. He thinks they are a bother.
Sammy loves playing sports and being outside. He prefers physical work over schoolwork. He respects James's "book smarts." But he often gets annoyed with James. James is often unsure and thinks too much. Sammy believes James isn't smart about life or people. He thinks these things are more important.
Sammy's attitude changes when he sees James. James stays calm during a fight at a bar. He talks to the men until the boys can leave. At the very end of the book, Sammy suggests something. He wants them to combine their strengths. He wants them to protect Maybeth. He fears men might hurt her life, like their father hurt their mother's.
Maybeth Tillerman
Maybeth is 14 years old. She looks and acts like her mother, Liza. James describes her as pretty and strong. She has a great talent for music and singing. Her voice even sounds like her mother's.
Maybeth is talented at music, cooking, and sewing. But she struggles with her school grades. She only does well in home economics. James helps her with homework. He is amazed that she works so hard. She only earns Cs and Ds. Maybeth is gentle and kind. She is popular even though school is hard for her.
Dicey Tillerman
Dicey is the oldest of the Tillerman children. She only appears briefly in the book. She comes home from college for spring break. Dicey is smart and finds college easy. But she thinks it's not worth it. She feels she is needed at home. She really wants to learn how to build boats. However, Gram insists that Dicey finishes college.
Dicey is a lot like Sammy. She is direct, stubborn, and can be impatient with James. She likes to take charge. She feels she should be at home to care for her family.
