Middle school student Sara feels as if she exists on two planes. Sometimes, she is happy and excited, the next moment, she is plunged into despair. Sara has been living with her Aunt Willie, her older sister, Wanda, and younger brother, Charlie, since her mother died and her father left. An illness with a high fever has left Charlie unable to speak and with the intelligence of a much younger child. Sara feels it is her responsibility to care for Charlie and defend him against the world, especially against boys like Joe Melby. Charlie disappears one night and Sara is sure that he has gone to look for the swans they watched the previous day. Before too long, Aunt Willie calls the police and the whole community is on the alert. When Joe Melby offers to help Sara search for Charlie, she isn't at all sure she wants to accept. While the suspense builds, Sara finds she is also on another search, for herself.
Similar books: The Silent Boy by Lois Lowry
Date read: 1/13/2011
ISBN-10: 0670681903
ISBN-13: 9780670681907
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