Summer of the Swans facts for kids
Early edition cover
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| Author | Betsy Byars |
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| Illustrator | Ted CoConis |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Viking Press |
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Publication date
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1970 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | 0-14-031420-2 |
| OCLC | 7176007 |
| Fic 19 | |
| LC Class | PZ7.B98396 Su 1981 |
Summer of the Swans is a children's novel by Betsy Byars. It tells the story of fourteen-year-old Sara Godfrey. She searches for her younger brother, Charlie, who has a mental disability and goes missing. The book won the important Newbery Medal in 1971. This award is given to the best children's book published in the United States.
The story was also made into a TV show. It was called Sara's Summer of the Swans and aired in 1974.
Main Characters
This book features several important characters. They help tell the story of Sara's summer.
Sara Godfrey: Sara is the main character. She is fourteen years old and feels like this summer is the worst ever. She lives with her older sister, Wanda, and her younger brother, Charlie. Their Aunt Willie takes care of them. Sara often worries about how she looks. She also holds onto grudges, like one against a boy named Joe Melby. Even though she sometimes gets annoyed with Charlie, she is the closest to him in her family.
Charlie Godfrey: Charlie is Sara's ten-year-old brother. He has a mental disability because of a high fever he had when he was three. He cannot speak words, but he can make sounds. He understands what people say to him. Charlie loves to watch the swans in the lake near their house. This love for swans leads to him getting lost.
Wanda Godfrey: Wanda is Sara's nineteen-year-old sister. Sara often feels jealous of Wanda because she thinks Wanda is very beautiful. Wanda works at the local hospital. She sometimes gets frustrated with Sara's constant complaints about herself.
Willamina "Aunt Willie" Godfrey: Aunt Willie is Sara's aunt. She is their father's sister. Aunt Willie has been taking care of Sara, Charlie, and Wanda since their mother passed away. She is very stubborn and sometimes doesn't listen to the children.
Joe Melby: Joe is a boy about Sara's age. He goes to the same school as her. Sara used to dislike him because she thought he took Charlie's watch. Later, she finds out she was wrong and forgives him. Joe becomes a big help to Sara when she is looking for Charlie.
Mary Weicek: Mary is Sara's best friend. She tries to help Sara with anything she can.
Sam Godfrey: Sam is Sara's father. He works in Ohio and only visits on some weekends. Sara feels like her father is almost a stranger now.
The Story on TV
Summer of the Swans was made into a TV special. It was called Sara's Summer of the Swans. This show was part of the ABC Afterschool Special series. It first aired on October 2, 1974. James B. Clark directed the episode. The script was written by Bob Rodgers.
Cast of the TV Show
- Sara Godfrey: Heather Totten
- Charlie Godfrey: Reed Diamond
- Wanda Godfrey: Betty Ann Carr
- Willamina "Aunt Willie" Godfrey: Priscilla Morrill
- Joe Melby: Chris Knight
- Mary Weicek: Doney Oatman
Eve Plumb, who was famous from The Brady Bunch, also appeared in the TV special. She played a character named Gretchen Wyant. Gretchen was a popular girl whom Sara disliked. In the book, Gretchen only appears in a story Sara tells. Sara once sprayed Gretchen with a garden hose for being mean to Charlie.
| Preceded by Sounder |
Newbery Medal recipient 1971 |
Succeeded by Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH |
