The Summer of the Swans

The death of the children’s mother is a significant event in their life, and at the time of her passing, eight-year-old Sara was well aware of what happened. Betsy Byars, however, does not devote space to Sara’s memories of her mother nor describe how her grief might still be impacting her. Why would Byars choose to exclude this information? What can one presume about Sara’s relationship with her mother from the limited context provided in the novel?

Aunt Willie firmly declares that Charlie’s watch was lost rather than stolen but doesn’t explain how she knows this. Why do you think Aunt Willie chose not to tell Sara about her interaction with Joe Melby?

How is Sara and Charlie’s dynamic different from the latter’s relationships with older sister Wanda and Aunt Willie? How is their connection unique and how is this bond reflected through their interactions?