Module 4/SLIS 5420/September 23rd
The Summer of the Swans
by Betsy Byars

Bibliography
Byars, B. (1970). The summer of the swans. New York: Viking Penguin

ISBN 0-670-68190-3

Summary
The story gives an account of the most stressful day Sara has encountered. A typical insecure teen, Sara has spent the summer discontented with her looks and lot in life. Her mother has died so she, along with older sister and younger, mentally disabled brother live with an aunt. When her brother Charlie wanders off and gets lost Sara realizes how much he means to her. In her search for him, she learns that impressions of self and others can be deceiving.

My Impression
This is a work of realistic fiction depicting teenage language and attitudes. It has good examples of how easy it is to become obsessive and see things from a distorted view. I appreciated the acceptance lesson taught through the relationship of Sarah and Charlie. The story was a bit slow for me a points but over all I think female students will relate with emotions and frustrations of the main character. 

Reviews
"The longest day in the life of a 14-year-old girl--the summer day her loved, mentally retarded brother is lost, the day she discovers compassion is a friend. A compelling story."--Publishers Weekly

“Sara matures in the summer of her fourteenth year as she develops a sense of responsibility for her retarded younger brother, sorts out relationships with family and friends, and comes to terms with a lingering inner turmoil. A poignant and humorous novel dealing with the emotional concerns of most adolescents.” --Booklist

Suggested Activities
Charlie can not speak due to a long term illness. Help students understand living with a disability through role-playing activity: Pass out slips of paper, on which one of the following instructions is written:
     1. You can't talk.
     2. You can't use your hands.
     3. You can't see. (Keep your eyes closed.)
     4. You can't stand or walk.
Tell students in one of these groups to act out their roles while completing a given direction. Discuss how students felt. Did anyone help them? Were other students understanding? How could their behavior have made a difference?

Introduce students to the following website about swans:
       http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/bird/swans.php
Demonstrate how to look through information to pick out facts. Have students practice this skill.

Module 4/SLIS 5420/September 21th
Caddie Woodlawn
by Carol Ryrie Brink

Bibliography 
Brink C.R.(2002). Caddie Woodlawn. New York: Simon Pulse (Original work published 1935). ISBN-13-978-0-689-81521-8

Summary

Everyday American pioneer life is shared through the tales of a spirited eleven year old tomboy, Caddie. Her adventures give a glimpse into the past as we discover the simple joys of keeping up with her brothers on their Wisconsin farm. She enjoys a good prank and is determined to avoid her mother’s wish of her becoming a young lady; but the kindness, courage, and compassion she displays make her the perfect friend.

My Impression

I especially enjoyed the relationships between characters. The closeness that the Woodlawn family shares through times of hardship and happiness make the characters come alive. Caddie has a very special bond with her oldest brother and often refers to him a friend. My favorite parts are when Caddie’s father finds her trying to fix the Circuit Rider’s clock and when he explains to her what responsibility comes with being a woman.

Reviews

"A spirited story that has plenty of action and strength." — Horn Book

"This Newbery Award winning book . . . has been reprinted with a charming reminiscence by the author about her grandmother Caddie . . . Told with style and grace and teamed with . . . fresh new illustrations, the story of Wisconsin frontier life in the 1860s will continue to attract readers today."--School Library Journal

Suggested Activities

The book often refers to ones looking forward to hearing news from other places. A great follow-up activity would be to spend some time looking at the format of a newspaper and discussing the differences between news articles and story writing. Have groups of students work together to create a newspaper of events from the story or of your own school.

The arrival of letters is a source of excitement in story. Review letter writing and have students write letters to relatives in other places or to students in other classes.