Homecoming Lies and Deceit

Pinocchio learns the hard way that you should never tell a lie. Luckily for Dicey in Homecoming, her nose doesn't grow when she tells a fib—throughout their journey, the Tillerman kids have to lie and manipulate to make their way through the world in one piece. Of course, unlike other liars out there, the kids aren't doing this to hurt people. They're doing it to keep themselves safe. Huh… Maybe lies aren't as bad as we make them out to be?

Questions About Lies and Deceit

1. Is it okay to lie? What kinds of lies might be all right? Which ones are just not okay? Pick a few moments from the book to support your arguments.
2. Why do different characters in the book lie? What are their reasons? Give examples, please.
3. Why will Dicey lie to help the kids survive, but she refuses to steal anything? What's the difference she sees? And do you agree?

Chew on This

Once Dicey and her siblings find a home, she doesn't have any need for lying anymore.

Dicey's lies are selfless because she fibs to protect the people she loves, while other people lie to get something for themselves.