The Summer of the Swans was written by Betsy Byars, illustrated by Ted CoCenu(sp) and received the Newberry Award Medal in 1971.
The main character in this story is Sara, a fourteen year old girl who has a younger brother (Charlie) and an older sister (Wanda). The three children live with Aunt Willie and have done so for a number of years. Aunt Willie promised the children’s mother that she would take care of them. Sara’s mother had passed away. Sara’s father did not live with them but lived a days’ drive away. Wanda was the pretty and smart child, Sara was quick tempered and awkward, and Charlie did not speak and had a disability.
Every summer the swans flew into their area and spent some time in the lake near their home. Charlie loved feeding and watching the swans. This summer was no different. Sara was told by Aunt Willie to take Charlie to the lake to feed and watch the swans. Reluctantly, Sara took her brother to the lake. They feed the swans and watched them for some time. When Sara was ready to go back home, Charlie was not. He but up a fuss and went home kicking a screaming.
Charlie always had a tough time sleeping and this night was no different. He was startled by a sound and looked out his window. Was it one of the swans? Was the swan calling him to come out to it? Charlie left his room, went down the stairs, opened the screen door, walked out onto the yard, walked passed the gate, and walked into the forest. The void of loud cars, bright lights, and busy people gave him a sense of peace. The night sky was calming and not alarming. He walked on. It wasn't until he heard the dogs barking when he became frightened and began to panic. Lost and lonely. He began to cry.
In the morning, the family (Sara, Wanda, and Aunt Willie) realized Charlie was missing. He never has left their yard, thus he was never lost. Sara knew he went out to see the swans and began to feel guilty because she did not stay longer at the lake with Charlie the day before. An unlikely individual offered to help Sara look for Charlie. The boy’s name was Joey. Joey assisted Sara in her search for her brother. Joey found Charlie’s slipper and gave it to Sara. He lead her up on top of a hill that over looked the ravine. Sara called out several times before she heard his unmistakable whimper. Once located, Sara ran down the hill straight for his voice. When she got to him, she held him, kissed him and hugged him.
Charlie was found and Sara had a new friend (Joey).
MY TWO CENTS: I enjoyed this Newberry Award Medal book. The Summer of the Swans is a beautiful story of a young girl coming of age. Since the three children began their stay with Aunt Willie, Sara has taken care of Charlie. The relationship that Sara and Willie have is priceless. I love how she protects him, cares for him, and loves him. Wouldn’t it be touching if more siblings would give this type of attention to their younger siblings with or without a disability? I was also touched by Joey’s reaction toward Charlie as well as toward Sara. Here is a boy that was misunderstood, much like Charlie himself. Joey took it upon himself to retrieve Charlie’s watch as well as to help Sara find Charlie when he was lost. Throughout the second half of the book I was rooting for Joey and a little miffed with Sara. However, like Sara, I have prejudged others without all of the facts. This story is worth reading both for 12-16 year olds of both genders.
AR QUIZ: 100%
The main character in this story is Sara, a fourteen year old girl who has a younger brother (Charlie) and an older sister (Wanda). The three children live with Aunt Willie and have done so for a number of years. Aunt Willie promised the children’s mother that she would take care of them. Sara’s mother had passed away. Sara’s father did not live with them but lived a days’ drive away. Wanda was the pretty and smart child, Sara was quick tempered and awkward, and Charlie did not speak and had a disability.
Every summer the swans flew into their area and spent some time in the lake near their home. Charlie loved feeding and watching the swans. This summer was no different. Sara was told by Aunt Willie to take Charlie to the lake to feed and watch the swans. Reluctantly, Sara took her brother to the lake. They feed the swans and watched them for some time. When Sara was ready to go back home, Charlie was not. He but up a fuss and went home kicking a screaming.
Charlie always had a tough time sleeping and this night was no different. He was startled by a sound and looked out his window. Was it one of the swans? Was the swan calling him to come out to it? Charlie left his room, went down the stairs, opened the screen door, walked out onto the yard, walked passed the gate, and walked into the forest. The void of loud cars, bright lights, and busy people gave him a sense of peace. The night sky was calming and not alarming. He walked on. It wasn't until he heard the dogs barking when he became frightened and began to panic. Lost and lonely. He began to cry.
In the morning, the family (Sara, Wanda, and Aunt Willie) realized Charlie was missing. He never has left their yard, thus he was never lost. Sara knew he went out to see the swans and began to feel guilty because she did not stay longer at the lake with Charlie the day before. An unlikely individual offered to help Sara look for Charlie. The boy’s name was Joey. Joey assisted Sara in her search for her brother. Joey found Charlie’s slipper and gave it to Sara. He lead her up on top of a hill that over looked the ravine. Sara called out several times before she heard his unmistakable whimper. Once located, Sara ran down the hill straight for his voice. When she got to him, she held him, kissed him and hugged him.
Charlie was found and Sara had a new friend (Joey).
MY TWO CENTS: I enjoyed this Newberry Award Medal book. The Summer of the Swans is a beautiful story of a young girl coming of age. Since the three children began their stay with Aunt Willie, Sara has taken care of Charlie. The relationship that Sara and Willie have is priceless. I love how she protects him, cares for him, and loves him. Wouldn’t it be touching if more siblings would give this type of attention to their younger siblings with or without a disability? I was also touched by Joey’s reaction toward Charlie as well as toward Sara. Here is a boy that was misunderstood, much like Charlie himself. Joey took it upon himself to retrieve Charlie’s watch as well as to help Sara find Charlie when he was lost. Throughout the second half of the book I was rooting for Joey and a little miffed with Sara. However, like Sara, I have prejudged others without all of the facts. This story is worth reading both for 12-16 year olds of both genders.
AR QUIZ: 100%
No comments:
Post a Comment