First published 1970
Sara Godfrey spends her summer obsessing over her awkward body and disastrous haircut. Her moods swing wildly from joy to despair without warning. She watches swans that have mysteriously arrived, captivating her mentally handicapped brother Charlie. Sara loves Charlie more than she loves herself these days. When Charlie vanishes, Sara's self-absorbed worries disappear instantly. She must find him. Sara turns to Joe Melby for help, despite her long hatred of him. They comb through thick forests and rocky terrain together. Sara pushes through brambles and climbs over fallen logs, calling Charlie's name. The search forces her beyond her small complaints about herself. She discovers strength she never knew existed. Sara realizes this experience will change her forever. The woods hold dangers and Charlie cannot navigate them alone.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, coming-of-age, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, self-discovery
Setting: Forests, Terrain
Period: Summer
142 pages · Hardcover · The Viking Press
Content warnings: mental-illness