Calling the Swan

By Jean Thesman

Book Overview

Since the unspeakable thing happened to their family three years ago, Skylar Deacon's parents have hated to let her out of their sight. Now she's going to summer school, and it's a struggle to leave each morning. Skylar's older sister offers her support, but Skylar is the one who has to brave the bus, the school, the strangers . . . and the truth about what made the Deacon family outcasts. Does she have the strength to stop looking back and face the future? "Thesman handles the characters with sympathy and understanding. [Readers] will be carried through the book by the lure of their unresolved secrets . . . This is a very fine book." ( School Library Journal , starred review)

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142300357
• ISBN13: 9780142300350
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 147 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 4.1" x 6.9"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

Sometimes there are no answers

Skylar Deacon has been watched carefully by her parents for the last three years. It is time for them to move on from the incident and let her grow up. She is attending summer school, and her family has to start letting their fears go. The plot is realistic and the characters possess an intense amount of emotion. The book deals with a common, yet unfavorable issue that effects many families each year. It gives a better perspective of the different members of the family and how they must fight each day for strength even when something is threatening to tear them apart. This book teaches that it is necessary to focus on the future instead of holding on to the past. The secrets of the family slowly fall into place.

Hard to put down

I thought this book was difficult to put down. Although it was not the best book in the world, you want to keep reading to find out what's going on. It doesn't become clear until the end and the book will keep you guessing! It's short, so it isn't difficult to read it all in one sitting, like I did.

A gripping and intriguing read

I couldn't put this book down. Thesman masterfully tells the story of a family where something is amiss. As I read the story, I knew something was wrong but I couldn't pull it all together. Near the end it becomes obvious what is going on in this family. Looking back over the book it seems so obvious, but yet so well hidden at the same time. This book is gripping and extremely well thought out. For young (or older) readers who enjoy a book with a great twist, this is one to pick up!