The Summer of the Swans

Winner of the Newbery Medal. This is not a nature story, but a summer tale about 14-year-old Sara, miserable with her life, and the upheavals when boredom suddenly breaks. The narrative stays close to her thoughts and moods—petty, sharp, confused, and honest—allowing her to speak freely without immediate correction. It permits children to be unhappy, self-centered, and searching. Readers who enjoy Judy Blume may find a familiar tone here.