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The Summer of the Swans

Illustrated by Ted Coconis
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A Newbery Medal Winner

All summer Sara Godfrey has fretted over herself, her impossible body, her terrible new haircut. One moment she's elated, the next, she's in tears. And she can't figure out why. Maybe her wildly changing moods are tied to the sudden and unaccountable appearance of the swans, which hold the rapt attention of Charlie, Sara's mentally handicapped brother, who she loves far more than herself these days. In fact, it will be the sudden disappearance of Charlie that will compel Sara to abandon her own small, annoying miseries, and lose herself in searching for him. In her anguish, Sara turns to Joe Melby, whom she has long despised, and together they search through the dense woods and rough fields to find him. Sara knows that she will never be the same again.


"A compelling story."—Publishers Weekly
Betsy Byars is a Newbery Medal winner and a National Book Award winner. Her first children’s book was published in 1962, after it had been rejected nine times. Since then, her works have appeared on the best books lists of the American Library Association, School Library Journal, and American Bookseller. She is best known for her Blossom Family series and Summer of the Swans. View titles by Betsy Byars
  • WINNER
    Newbery Medal Winner

About

A Newbery Medal Winner

All summer Sara Godfrey has fretted over herself, her impossible body, her terrible new haircut. One moment she's elated, the next, she's in tears. And she can't figure out why. Maybe her wildly changing moods are tied to the sudden and unaccountable appearance of the swans, which hold the rapt attention of Charlie, Sara's mentally handicapped brother, who she loves far more than herself these days. In fact, it will be the sudden disappearance of Charlie that will compel Sara to abandon her own small, annoying miseries, and lose herself in searching for him. In her anguish, Sara turns to Joe Melby, whom she has long despised, and together they search through the dense woods and rough fields to find him. Sara knows that she will never be the same again.


"A compelling story."—Publishers Weekly

Author

Betsy Byars is a Newbery Medal winner and a National Book Award winner. Her first children’s book was published in 1962, after it had been rejected nine times. Since then, her works have appeared on the best books lists of the American Library Association, School Library Journal, and American Bookseller. She is best known for her Blossom Family series and Summer of the Swans. View titles by Betsy Byars

Awards

  • WINNER
    Newbery Medal Winner

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