Literary+Essay+15

**Literary Essay** **By: Casey O.** In the novel, __Summer of the Swans__, written by Betsy Byars. Sara Godfrey is a lonely 14 year old girl who just wants to be normal. But because of her little brother Charlie she is incapable of being so. Charlie is 4 years younger than Sara and has a awful disorder, when Charlie was born he got brain damage do to a high fever. This has caused many problems for Charlie and caused many arguments between the siblings. But throughout the story,  **Sara and Charlie begin to see each other for who they are and they find the true meaning of family.** First, **Sara and Charlie are arguing a high percentage of the time.** Throughout the __Summer of the Swans__ novel, Sara and Charlie remind me of my siblings, and how we always get in fights over nothing of importance. Like one time my brother went into my room to borrow money without asking me. I caught him in the act, and I got so upset I started to scream like Shane was trying to murder me! That reminds me of when Sara squalled, “ This is why I never bring you any where Charlie, because you are so irritating!” This caused much disagreement between the two siblings. Sara would soon learn that was not the perfect thing to say at that time. Luckily, Sara and Charlie don't always argue, sometimes they act like brother and sister, caring and loving each other. Sadly, that isn't always the case. A good percentage of the time they are acting like enemies. That example defiantly proves that Sara and Charlie are arguing a high percentage of the time.
 * Summer of the Swans**

Next, when **Sara finally realized how much her brother meant to her**, but it was too late. Sara and Charlie always fight and bicker even though Charlie can not speak! Sara can tell what Charlie is thinking and starts the argument. The only reason Sara disagrees with her brother a ton is she just wants a normal life, not always having to take care of her brother due to his mental illness. She doesn't realize how much he means to her. Soon after Charlie wonders away in the night, leaving no trace. When Sara finds out, she's frantic and is wishing for her little brother to come home. At that moment she discovers Charlie is the most important thing in her life, and she was wrong to not take the time to realize that sooner. Now, she's on a journey to find him. She looks long and hard with no concern for herself. The only thing she can think about is her brother. She peers into the woods and any stores or buildings Charlie could have wondered into. Luckily she found him face up on the edge of a raving gasping for air. After that, Sara learned to appreciated Charlie a lot more! Those examples show how Sara finally realizes how much her brother means to her.

In addition, **Sara will never take Charlie for granite ever again.** When Sara discovers Charlie has gone missing she begins to realize how much he means to her. She begins to think of how mean she was to Charlie and how this is all her fault that Charlie has vanished. Even though it was not her fault. So she prays that Charlie will return home and she can have one more chance to be a great older sister. Then she will never take Charlie for granite ever again. When Sara finally finds Charlie she knows she got lucky to get another shot at being a older sister. From then on Sara treated Charlie the way he needs to be treated, with respect and dignity. Sara will never take Charlie for granite ever again. This identifies how much Sara has learned to appreciate Charlie.

In conclusion, there were many things that Sara learned throughout __Summer of the Swans__. Sara learned to not take Charlie for granite, to appreciate Charlie and she learned who she truly is. When Sara discovered that Charlie was missing she had to dig deep into her heart to find him and change who she is. Sara also had to learn the true meaning of family and how important it is. I believe that's what Betsy Byars showed us the true meaning of family, and she did that by using Charlie and Sara and their miraculous journey to be reunited once again.