The Summer of the Swans
I felt that this book was too focused on the way people and
family members respond to the mentally disabled, which negates their own
perspective of life. While the book
teaches compassion and care for the mentally disabled, it does very little to
help the student learn about Charlie’s mindset and where he is coming from in
the book. Actually, I was very curious as to why Charlie ran away and what he
was thinking when he decided to disappear. I am not really fond of the other
characters because they appear in a constant state of anxiety about caring for
Charlie, especially in the character of Sara. I don’t think that I would
recommend this book because it makes the caregiver the center of attention,
when it is Charlie that deserves our full attention. More so, Charlie becomes
the center of a mystery styled plot. This not only insinuates that no one the
story really understands Charlie, but that he has become part of a cliché plot
structure. I disagree with this type of plot and characterization of Charlie,
which alienates the mentally disabled and puts an overt focus on the confused
and often-irritated caregivers found in this story. While I do enjoy the
compassionate way that Byers brings together the community to help the mentally
disabled, I would not use this book as a means in which to better understand
persons, such as Charlie. In the classroom, I would not recommend this book. 
Zaheeda, Do you think that possibly this book was written in order to highlight the caregivers of Charlie? Are there students in your class who have siblings who are mentally or physically challenged? Would they relate to the characters in this story? Do you feel that siblings in families in which there are special needs children are asked to assume greater responsibilities than are siblings who have non-challenged brothers or sisters? Could these students be able to understand the feelings, the actions and the needs of the characters in Byars book. In addition, it would be helpful to the reader if you would give examples of why you feel the way you do. For example, why do you think Charlie has become part of a cliche plot structure???? Give examples. Dr. Ries
ReplyDeleteI am very aware that Byars was using Sara Godfrey as a role model for children that have to be caregivers for their mentally disabled siblings. While I was critical of the book for not focusing on Charlie’s mental disabilities, I really did enjoy seeing the camaraderie and compassion that Sara and her friend has for him when he was lost. In own classroom, there are a few students who have siblings in higher grades that come and help them with their studies. I think they would relate to Sarah’s struggles and frustrations in having to sacrifice the “carefree” years of young adulthood in order to care for a disabled brother or sister. I agree that these students have to take on a greater degree of responsibility, which is defined in the example of Sarah’s feeling trapped as a caregiver to Charlie:
DeleteShe was filled with a constant discontent, an anger about herself, her life, her family, that made her think she would never be content again (Byars, p.35).
This insight provides important examples of how siblings might feel if they had to watch a mentally disabled sibling that was capable of running of at a moment’s notice. In some ways, I feel that the plot structure is cliché in assuming that disabled children have no sense of responsibility and that they always behave like Charlie, yet Byars does reflect some of the frustrations that Sarah feels by having to watch her brother on a continual basis while her friends are having fun. These examples from the Byars text define my own feelings and observations that I have encountered within my won classroom.
Yes, but Byars is giving the siblings or relatives of a disabled individual an opportunity to say, "Yes! Yes! Yes! I am asked to do a lot. I am asked to o more than other kids my age and I am ANGRY!!!! Doesn't anybody realize this?" That is the whole idea of this story...........it gives your students an opportunity to empathize with the caregiver, and at the same time realize that Charlie's sister loves him very much. One can love and be frustrated at the same time. You stated that above. Dr. Ries
DeleteI agree. There is a familial perspective in Byars’ novel that sends the message that one should always take care of and love family members. I also feel that there is empathy in the story for the family member, which allows the readers to understand Sara’s emotional turmoil as a teenage caregiver. More so, Sara begins to understand that Charlie’s disappearance also encourages her to become more intimate with her best friend, Mary, as well as find a romantic relationship with Joe. In this manner, Sara learns to manage her anger as a result of everyone banding together in the community around Charlie. This is one of the positive ways in which this book can be inspirational to students having to care for a disable or sick family member, which would certainly bring up some emotions within the classroom. While Sara is struggling to understand why she has been forced into caring for Charlie, she does love him very much. Students can learn about this book because it teaches the reader that they should care for their family, but that they should also seek help from friends in the community. Sara is a very emotionally healthy young lady and her excellent anger management will inspire students to find others to help her through difficult familial situations. While Sara feels alone in her suffering, it is evident that she will not find Charlie without the help of her friends in high school.
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