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Fifteen-year-old Cindy worked long days beside her migrant worker family in Michigan's sugar beet fields in the early 1940s-the "war years"-until she met a dashing young man from a traveling carnival, bringing some joy and fun into her hard-scrabble life. But a tragic twist of fate-and a dead field boss-sent the two young people on the run, leaving behind family and everything she'd ever known.
Lucy Tucker, the crotchety old bag lady from the popular Yada Yada House of Hope series, is a veteran of the Chicago streets and not about to give up her independence, even as she approaches her 80th birthday. Until, that is, a young displaced woman with her gentle ageing mother and a dog named Dandy seem to need her-unsettling the secretive Lucy, who doesn't let anyone get too close. But just when it seems her past is catching up with her to bring her in out of the cold ... Lucy disappears again.
How these two tales intersect and intertwine between past and present gradually shines light into the dark corners of Lucy's murky past. But ... why won't Lucy come home?
BethMB
Posted June 13, 2012
I'm a huge fan of Neta and Dave Jackson - and their most recent book is one of the best!!! I've read all of the Yada Series, House of Hope series, SouledOut Sisters, and now Lucy Come Home - what a joy it is to pass these books on to my fellow fans of the Jacksons once I've read them! This book is top notch - you will both laugh and cry. Once you pick it up, you can't put it down. I can hardly wait for more of their books. Don't miss reading this one - you won't be sorry!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 4, 2013
I throughly enjoyed this book. I've read all the series of House of Hope and Harry Bently. I couldn't put this down, just like the others. I cried with Lucy and felt her pain. I would love to read more about her and her family.
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Posted December 26, 2012
I enjoyed reading more about a character from the House of Hope Series. It was interesting to not only getting more detail of Lucy but when the situation that was in the House of Hope happens in Lucy your get a new perspective.
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Posted September 5, 2012
I love Neta Jackson Yada Prayer group and to get to know the events that lead to Lucy becoming a street person. Lucy experienced more hard times then anyone should go through in ones life time. She is a true survior.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Grammy07ED
Posted July 14, 2012
I love Neta Jackson's books. Lucy Come Home was good but a lot of repeat from the House of Hope series.
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Posted July 13, 2012
Love, love the book. I feel so very sorry for Lucy. Neta makes you feel like you are going through everything they are going through.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I have been reading Neta and Dave Jacksons books from the very first Yada Yada series. I was very happy that they took another character and told their "story". Not wanting to give away any of the plot, I will just say that this book was very emotional at times and it did leave me wanting more at the end. Highly recommended
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Posted June 30, 2012
What a gem this book turned out to be, let me say it's been a while since I had the privlege to review such a thought provoking work of fiction that was such a touching read. I warn you if you're the type that cries over an emotional read you may want to have a box of tissues beside you just in case.
I was very impressed with the way that the husband ad wife author team laid out their story. It was seemlessly written and I felt as though I was actually in the story watching it all play out. I really loved how they wrote about Lucy and touched on one of the topics that is plaguing North America. In such a modern time in such modern countries the idea that there are still homeless people baffles me.
This was such a touching story I couldn't help but love Cindy Tucker who as the story went on became Lucy Tucker. There was just something about her that I loved. Perhaps it's because of her story or may it's just how they created her there was just an inherient goodness about her that I was drawn to.
All in all I thought this was a great read for those who are fans of Christian fiction or those just looking for a heart warming tale that tugs at your heart strings. I would have absolutely no problem recommending this one to anyone really and I think it would make a lovely gift for people who enjoy this type of novel.
Lucinda Tucker and her family live the lives of Migrant workers....since they lost their farm in the Dust Bowl. While on their way to pick beets, a carnival pulls into the town with them. Fate is set and Lucinda meets Bo.
We follow Lucy [Cindy] from a fifteen year old girl through to eighty years of age. This is a long book, but a compelling read. You will want a box of tissues handy...there are a lot of highs and lows. Through out the book you find God's hand leading their lives.
What a turn of events, and how the journey progresses. We travel with Lucy with her parents, and then on the run and into Canada. From there we travel to Chicago, and then WWII. We live with her as a homeless person, and in shelters.
Don't miss this great Christian read!
I received this book from Litfuse Publicity Tours, and Castle Rock Creative, and was not required to give a positive review.
Anonymous
Posted June 27, 2012
Sunny Island Breezes
This is a story of what is, what was and what might have been. Be prepared to cry. You just never know why that bag lady is living on the streets.
I really don’t know what to say. The tears just keep coming. Lucy has spent her life on a journey - a journey of hope and despair.
Lucy’s been through so much. Every time she thinks she finally has a home, something happens. She’s spent so many years on the street that going home feels frightening and claustrophobic.
Besides, she has a secret that makes her feel unworthy of having a home.
My heart breaks for Lucy. You’re really going to need that box of tissues close at hand while you read this book.
Christianfictionaddiction
Posted June 27, 2012
Have you ever wondered how it is that someone became homeless, wandering the streets, seemingly with few connections to others? Lucy Come Home is a book that explores how Lucy, one of my favorite characters from the Yada Yada House of Hope series, came to wander the streets of Chicago and live a life of homelessness, and it is a well-written book indeed! Dave and Neta Jackson have penned a novel that is bittersweet, interspersing flash-backs of Lucy's teen years and the loss of her family and being on the run, with her contemporary story of living on the streets. The authors use this technique well, as it keeps the story moving along with moments of tragedy balanced with moments of humor (especially the modern-day scenes where the reader gets to observe Lucy at her finest!). I found my heart breaking as the teen Lucy experienced one moment of loss after the other, and I was devouring the pages to see how everything would resolve. The book is true to life, not providing a perfectly happy-ending, but ultimately providing one that proves God's faithfulness through the tragedies of life. I finished the book with a smile on my face, glad that Lucy had finally found a place to belong. As I turn from its pages, I realize I may may never be able to look at a homeless person the same, but instead will ponder what circumstances led them to living the life they led.
If you have enjoyed the Yada Yada series, you are going to love this entertaining, moving read. The authors continue to excel at creating living and breathing characters who you come to care deeply about, and you won't want to miss Lucy's story!
I award this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.
An ebook has been provided courtesy of the authors and Litfuse publicity group, for the purposes of this unbiased review.
onedesertrose
Posted June 25, 2012
Fifteen-year-old Cindy Tucker (later known as Lucy Tucker) and her migrant worker parents and six siblings had moved to Michigan in the early 1940s to work the sugar beet fields, as the dust bowl years had claimed their farm. It was a hard life with little pay, if any, if the field boss, Buster Doyle, had his way. But Buster took a liking to Cindy and had her help with his pregnant wife and the commissary.
While in Michigan, Cindy met James Bodeen (aka “Bo”), who worked at his father’s Bodeen’s Midway Rides Carnival. Life as a carny wasn’t any easier than a migrant worker. In searching for his dog, Jigger, one day, a chance encounter buds into an innocent romance between Bo and Lucy, which was carefully watched, yet encouraged by Cindy’s mother and father.
When things get out of hand, and a dead Buster Doyle is found, Cindy and Bo took off running. Both young people left family and everything behind, family that meant everything to Cindy. Their lives on the run took them to Canada and eventually back down to Chicago. What held Cindy and Bo together through their coming years was Jigger, Bo’s dog.
The story of Lucy Tucker, the crotchety old bag lady with the purple knit hat, is the intense storyline of Dave and Neta Jackson’s book, Lucy Come Home. It’s a story of heartache, loneliness, sweet love, hard work, loss, homelessness, and a highly guarded anonymity–a name will disclose her history!
Though the book starts out in normal chronological order, the Jackson’s present the full storyline by engaging Lucy’s times of reminiscing. It’s how we learn what happened to Lucy and Bo and how she ended up as a homeless bag lady, fearful of anyone finding out who she was. This method kept me hooked to the very end.
The Jackson’s draw you deep into the lives of each realistic character with very intricate, memorable details interspersed throughout the book. You become enmeshed with each character’s heartaches, joys, and idiosyncrasies. The life of the homeless is enumerated in all of its simple joys, harshness, danger, and loneliness. Yet the caring love of others is interwoven into their eccentric behaviors, particularly Lucy’s. It was their acceptance, faith, and respect kept her hanging around the homeless shelter most of the time.
Dave and Neta created a riveting book detailing life during the early and post WWII years, where the lack of communication with family is hard on Lucy. Telephones weren’t even in everyone’s home early on. That’s hard to comprehend since we live in a world of gadgets that keep us up-to-date with people minute by minute. However, cell phone use was in place towards the end of the book, by the time Lucy turned 80.
The haunting question for me is why Lucy decided on a life of homelessness and despondency. Her lack of hope is astounding, particularly when she was raised in the faith.
In fact, this book is part of A Yada Yada Journey of Hope series. “Yada” in Hebrew means “to know and be known intimately.” Thus are the ironies of Lucy’s anonymity and the sobering life of homelessness that she chose to live. What kept her from going home? Pride? Shame? This book touched me deeply, knowing that ‘there but for the grace of God, go I.’
This book was provided free by Amy Lathrop and Christen Krumm of Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was exchanged.
THESELF-TAUGHTCOOK
Posted June 25, 2012
Cindy and her family are migrant farm workers in the early 1940's, moving from one job to the next, when she meets Bo, a carnival worker whose job has brought him to the same town. When the farm boss tries to take advantage of young Cindy, Bo comes to her defense, and the result causes the two of them to run away together.
Lucy is a bag lady from the streets of Chicago, whose gruff exterior hides a soft, vulnerable heart that she hides from the world. As Lucy and Cindy's stories come together, the past and the present collide.
A moving story as the story of a migrant worker, a carnival worker, and a homeless person are all told in one novel. Somehow, I enjoyed Cindy's story more, but I think that was because I had trouble keeping track of some of the characters in Lucy's part of the story. But, overall it was still good. And the nice thing is that it wasn't as predictable as I thought it would be. Each time I thought I knew what was going to happen next, I was surprised. That's always a very nice surprise, especially in Christian fiction. This is one of those times when I wish there were 1/2 stars, because I want to give 4 1/2 stars, but because I can't, I'll stop at 4 stars.
Icecream18JA
Posted June 23, 2012
Lucy has been on the streets for a very long time. She values her independence and resilience, but is approaching very old age. The readers will receive flashbacks from Lucy's past as she tries to navigate her present situation. Lucy's family was nice enough, but experienced great difficulties to the Dust Bowl. Over the course of time, Lucy finds herself more and more displaced. She encounters some very bad situations that she must flee from and tries to make a home, however unstable, where and when she can. Lucy's strong determination to live out her life will be inspiring to the reader.
This book will likely remind readers of that last time they saw a homeless person. Did they wonder what that person's life story was? How that person ended up on the streets? Lucy's tale is hard to tell without giving away spoilers, but is packed with memories and feelings. By the end of the story, the readers will feel like they know Lucy very well, almost like an old friend. This book is recommended to adult readers.
Ever since I was a young child, I have always been fascinated by the world of the people who work in carnivals and the rough life it must be, always traveling and never being in the same place twice. A homeless existence if you will. In the novel, Lucy Come Home by Dave and Neta Jackson, we get a different view of that homeless existence as the world of Lucy Tucker is paralleled between two different time periods in her life, one from her childhood and one later in life, more current.
The book opens as the reader is taken on a car trip with Lucy's family as they leave their home in Arkansas in 1942 just as the Dust Bowl has claimed the livelihood of their job prospects. Now becoming migrant workers that travel through different cities and states in search of work, they have wound up in Lapeer County, Michigan to harvest sugar beets until their contract expires. As they enter town, the carnival has come to town and is in the stages of being set-up. This is something all the kids in the Tucker family are drawn to but they know they can barely afford a loaf of bread and milk to make a meal, so attending the carnival will be only a dream.
When James Bodeen, whose father owns Bodeen Midway Rides and contracts with the local carnivals to provide all the rides, goes searching for his missing dog among the migrant camps, he meets Lucinda, or Cindy Tucker for the first time. Feeling an immediate attraction towards her, he invites her to the carnival after she finishes work at the migrant farm working at the commissary and helping to take care of the pregnant wife of the boss, Mr. Doyle. However Mr. Doyle has more interest in Cindy than simply providing her a place to work and when things get out of hand late one night, it will take Cindy and James on a journey for their very lives.
The story continues to flash back and forth from childhood to present day where we see Lucy is still homeless in both places and the way she has continued to make a life for herself along the difficult roads that lie ahead of her. You get a sense after reading this that Lucy was merely a victim of unfortunate circumstances that would continue to dictate in an unforeseen way how she would eventually wind up, always finding a home wherever she could. It makes her untrusting of the people she comes into contact with and you get a sense of that as you continue along in the story. I think this makes for a fantastic story by the time you get to the final pages and get a true sense for who Lucy has become.
I received this book compliments of Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. It often makes us take a look at the homeless people that surround us today and wonder just what their story is and how they have arrived at where they are today. I bet we would be more than surprised at what they would have to say, if we are only willing to listen. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and think everyone will take away something different from this novel. For me, it's simply NEVER to judge a book or a person by what we see. There is always more going on, than what you would think.
hannahetrotter
Posted June 20, 2012
Lucy Come Home truly took me by surprise. I had never read anything by Dave & Neta Jackson before, but I only have good things to say about their gift for writing.
Written in a parallel story form, we get a first-person look into Lucinda Tucker’s life. From her childhood as the oldest of a large family of migrant farmers, to her older years on the streets and everything in between, Lucinda is an honest, vulnerable person that quickly captured my heart.
The authors did a remarkable job of painting the numerous settings of the story, from the whimsical carnival grounds to the dusty migrant camps and cramped, rented apartments, I felt as if I was following along with Lucinda and her “romeo”, Bo. As much as I love to read, I often struggle with the first few chapters until I become acquainted with the characters. However, this was not the case with Lucy Come Home. From the opening lines, I was drawn into the story.
Everything in my being was hoping for the very best for Bo and Cindy. When Bo left for war, I felt as if I was waiting for his next letter alongside Cindy. Their young love was so innocent and pure, and my heart broke for them as their relationship was strained.
To be transparent, I have to admit that I’m a lover of happy endings. I like a good fairy tale, and the conclusion of this book wasn’t something I was prepared for. But it granted me a huge insight towards understanding how circumstances in life can shape us. I have often struggled to comprehend what makes older people the way that they are. Lucinda was dealt more than her fair share of tragedy in her life, and while she was certainly a survivor, had she turned to Christ much earlier in her life, how different her journey could have been!
If you enjoy fiction, I highly recommend this captivating, inspiring tale.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from a public relations company, but I was not required to give a positive review. The opinion expressed above is entirely my own.
Anonymous
Posted June 14, 2012
What a joy to know Lucy found her way home.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 19, 2012
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Overview
Fifteen-year-old Cindy worked long days beside her migrant worker family in Michigan's sugar beet fields in the early 1940s-the "war years"-until she met a dashing young man from a traveling carnival, bringing some joy and fun into her hard-scrabble life. But a tragic twist of fate-and a dead field boss-sent the two young people on the run, leaving behind ...