When a girl or boy reaches adolescence, life can become a confusing series of events for them. Both sexes begin feeling awkward. While boys do not have an easy time during this period of change in their lives, girls are often confronted with feelings of not being attractive or popular. Their bodies are changing, and these years can be fraught with turbulent emotions.
A number of writers have addressed this issue in what are known as “coming of age” novels. When done with sensitivity, these books can be a great help for teenage girls. One writer with these valuable insights is Betsy Byars. One of her finest books on this important issue is “The Summer of the Swans.”
As the book begins, Sara has just decided to dye her tennis shoes a bright orange. Immediately afterward, she feels the shoes are ugly. To Sara, the shoes look just like her. Her older sister Wanda, combs her beautiful hair and prepares to go on a date. Sara jealously looks at her attractive sister. Wanda tries to talk with Sara, but the teenager has her mind made up. No one is ever going to like her. Her feet are too big and her hair is ugly.
She walks out to the front porch and sees her mentally diminished brother, Charlie. At 3, Charlie had two severe fevers that left him mentally damaged. Now he can do very little and needs constant attention. Sara feels a fierce protectiveness for the boy, and will strike out at anyone taunting him. She particularly despises a boy named Joe Medley. Sara feels that Joe stole Charlie’s prized watch. She will not accept Joe’s explanation that he found the watch and returned it to the family. But the constant attention Charlie requires places a constant strain on the family and becomes a burden to Sara.
Each year a group of swans land in the nearby lake. Charlie is fixated on looking at the swans swimming on the lake. When he sees the swans, he won’t leave and has to be dragged away from the lake. That night, a button on his pajamas becomes loose, but no one takes the time to repair it. This keeps him awake, and in the middle of the night he thinks about the swans and leaves the house, looking for them. As he walks in the night, Charlie becomes totally lost and finally stumbles into a ravine. There, terrified, he mutely sits in the dark.
The next morning, the family realizes Charlie has wandered away and frantically organizes a search party. Sara begins searching everywhere for her brother.
Who helps Sara during this panic-stricken time? Has anyone ever helped you in a trying time? What qualities are needed to give and accept assistance?
What does Sara find out about beauty and friendship during this frightening day? Does she begin to see the human qualities in people that unite us despite our differences? How does she learn the value of her own worth through the frenzied search for her lost brother?
To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out this fine novel, “The Summer of the Swans,” by Betsy Byars.
Betsy Byars is a highly acclaimed children’s author. “The Summer of the Swans” won the Newbery Medal in 1971. Many of her books deal with the issues of adolescence, and are written with understanding and sensitivity.
Since she has four children, Mrs. Byars has a great deal of practical knowledge on the subject. She frames her characters with understanding and hope.
I hope you check out this excellent book. I found the story moving and think you will as well. Enjoy!
