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Calling the Swan
For years, since something dreadful happened to the Deacon family, Skylar Deacon's parents have hated to let her out of their sight for even a moment, and now, going to summer school, facing kids she does not know and the truth about what happened to her family, has made things even harder for her.
147 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
4 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Jean Thesman
42 books48 followersJean Thesman was a widely read and award-winning American author known for her young adult fiction, with a career spanning over 25 years. Her novels often explored themes of family, identity, and belonging, frequently featuring heroines who find their place in the world by uncovering truths about their families and forming chosen connections. “I loved telling the story,” she once wrote, “because I really believed that families were made up of the people you wanted, not the people you were stuck with.”
Born with a passion for storytelling and literacy, she learned to read before starting school and recalled having to wait until she was six years old before being allowed her first library card. Throughout her career, she authored around 40 books, most under her own name but a few under the pseudonym T.J. Bradstreet.
Thesman published a wide range of novels for teens and middle-grade readers, including stand-alone works such as The Rain Catchers, Calling the Swan, and Cattail Moon, as well as series like The Whitney Cousins, The Birthday Girls, and The Elliott Cousins. Her lyrical style, emotional depth, and strong female characters earned her a loyal readership. Notable works like The Ornament Tree and In the House of the Queen’s Beasts remain particularly admired for their nuanced storytelling and emotional resonance.
She was a longtime resident of Washington state and an active member of The Authors Guild and the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Jean Thesman passed away in 2016 at the age of 86, leaving behind a significant legacy in young adult literature.
Born with a passion for storytelling and literacy, she learned to read before starting school and recalled having to wait until she was six years old before being allowed her first library card. Throughout her career, she authored around 40 books, most under her own name but a few under the pseudonym T.J. Bradstreet.
Thesman published a wide range of novels for teens and middle-grade readers, including stand-alone works such as The Rain Catchers, Calling the Swan, and Cattail Moon, as well as series like The Whitney Cousins, The Birthday Girls, and The Elliott Cousins. Her lyrical style, emotional depth, and strong female characters earned her a loyal readership. Notable works like The Ornament Tree and In the House of the Queen’s Beasts remain particularly admired for their nuanced storytelling and emotional resonance.
She was a longtime resident of Washington state and an active member of The Authors Guild and the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Jean Thesman passed away in 2016 at the age of 86, leaving behind a significant legacy in young adult literature.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 5, 2022
This book was beautifully written. I finished it within one day as it was hard to put down! The way the author sets the stage so towards the end is when you really understand what is happening was very well done. I had tears in my eyes at the end!
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September 3, 2009JH Skylar’s mother is overprotective--she doesn’t want Skylar to step foot out of the house. Her sister seconds her mother’s judgment, though Skylar only talks with her in her room, but she sees her walking by everywhere she turns. Her grandmother is supportive. Though she feels scared, Skylar attends summer school in a school distant from her home (she has to transfer buses to get home). Little by little, one step forward and two back, Skylar makes friends, risks, begins to face her fears, and her family’s biggest challenge, only revealed near the end of the book--her sister’s disappearance (assumed kidnapped and dead, with parents suspected for awhile) and her mother’s consequent descent into breakdown. Very positive. Generally innocent with some profanity. This story deals with a girl coming to terms with tragedy in life and God’s role in allowing that tragedy.
April 7, 2019
After reading this book in one day, I want to read everything from this author.
June 8, 2010
Skylar has decided to take a summer school English course so that she can take some electives in the fall. Her parents are very concerned about how she’ll get to and from school, however. Some might call them overprotective. Skylar feels a little nervous about it herself, but she’s determined. The English teacher is an old-fashioned woman, who addresses her students by their last names: Miss, Mr. She gets them to really listen to stories, words, language, and to discuss it and love it and have thoughts about it. Skylar becomes friends with some of the kids in the class and they start to do things after class – making Skylar’s mother even more worried.
Skylar talks a lot about and to her sister Alexandra, who seems to spend all of her time at home in her room writing in her journal. Sometimes Alexandra wants Skylar to be brave, and sometimes she wants to keep her home and safe. Skylar herself isn’t sure what she wants. Gradually, one begins to suspect that there’s something wrong with Alexandra – why does she stay home all the time? Why is it that only Skylar and Ben (her little brother) talk to her? Why is everyone so worried about being safe and careful? Skylar sees a priest every Wednesday afternoon to talk about her problems and about Alexandra. He’s her therapist of sorts. Another hint drops when he tells Skylar to stay out of Alexandra’s “room.”
Finally we learn that Alexandra disappeared (you’ll think, ohmygod, she’s dead! at some point along the way). She had just had a cast removed and she went down to the lake to feed the swans that knew her and that always came when she whistled, and she never came home. People were cruel to Skylar and her family. They stopped talking to them, they treated them as if they were crazy – but who wouldn’t be crazy under such circumstances. All of Skylar’s friends dropped her immediately. And some awful woman from the press won’t leave them alone. She shows up again and harasses the family and Skylar’s summer school friends see it on TV. They, however, are understanding and gentle with her, which gives her some courage to distance herself from Alexandra’s ghost. She’s been gone for 3 years. The family won’t move because what if she comes back? How would she find them? Several of Skylar’s classmates show up at her house and take her to call and feed the swans at the lake in memory of Alexandra. The swans remember.
This is a truly beautiful little story. It plays out slowly and perfectly, and will have you crying in the end – both for the pain that Skylar and her family feel, the understanding of the kids who have become Skylar’s friends, and the fact that the swans remember Alexandra even when everyone is being encouraged to forget her and move on. They remember and respond. So in a way, Alexandra isn’t really gone. It’s a bit mysterious and something will feel off until you, as the reader, learn what’s really going on. The English classes and the discussions are quite nice as well. Really fantastic.
Skylar talks a lot about and to her sister Alexandra, who seems to spend all of her time at home in her room writing in her journal. Sometimes Alexandra wants Skylar to be brave, and sometimes she wants to keep her home and safe. Skylar herself isn’t sure what she wants. Gradually, one begins to suspect that there’s something wrong with Alexandra – why does she stay home all the time? Why is it that only Skylar and Ben (her little brother) talk to her? Why is everyone so worried about being safe and careful? Skylar sees a priest every Wednesday afternoon to talk about her problems and about Alexandra. He’s her therapist of sorts. Another hint drops when he tells Skylar to stay out of Alexandra’s “room.”
Finally we learn that Alexandra disappeared (you’ll think, ohmygod, she’s dead! at some point along the way). She had just had a cast removed and she went down to the lake to feed the swans that knew her and that always came when she whistled, and she never came home. People were cruel to Skylar and her family. They stopped talking to them, they treated them as if they were crazy – but who wouldn’t be crazy under such circumstances. All of Skylar’s friends dropped her immediately. And some awful woman from the press won’t leave them alone. She shows up again and harasses the family and Skylar’s summer school friends see it on TV. They, however, are understanding and gentle with her, which gives her some courage to distance herself from Alexandra’s ghost. She’s been gone for 3 years. The family won’t move because what if she comes back? How would she find them? Several of Skylar’s classmates show up at her house and take her to call and feed the swans at the lake in memory of Alexandra. The swans remember.
This is a truly beautiful little story. It plays out slowly and perfectly, and will have you crying in the end – both for the pain that Skylar and her family feel, the understanding of the kids who have become Skylar’s friends, and the fact that the swans remember Alexandra even when everyone is being encouraged to forget her and move on. They remember and respond. So in a way, Alexandra isn’t really gone. It’s a bit mysterious and something will feel off until you, as the reader, learn what’s really going on. The English classes and the discussions are quite nice as well. Really fantastic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2010
I recently read this book for the second time, the first time having been about 6 or 7 years ago. The voice of Skylar, the protagonist, is incongruously smooth when one considers the state of grief and fear in which she lives. I do have a problem with Skylar's voice tending to sound too mature. She may be unusually mature, given what she's been through, and in spite of the fact that she's been so fiercely sheltered by her mother, but I do wish she sounded a little more like a teenager. Mostly, however the juxtaposition of her calm voice and chaotic thoughts works to create a haunting, heartbreaking narrative.
I also enjoy this book for its lighter moments, which are largely found in the after-school scenes where Skylar tentatively gets to know her classmates. As she learns how to have fun again, slowly convincing herself that it's OK to do so, we feel the weight lift.
The book raises questions that go appropriately unanswered. What happened to Alexandra? How is it that Skylar's little brother Ben can see her too? What becomes of Skylar's mother? The family -- and the reader -- are left suspended in uncertainty, as often occurs in life.
I also enjoy this book for its lighter moments, which are largely found in the after-school scenes where Skylar tentatively gets to know her classmates. As she learns how to have fun again, slowly convincing herself that it's OK to do so, we feel the weight lift.
The book raises questions that go appropriately unanswered. What happened to Alexandra? How is it that Skylar's little brother Ben can see her too? What becomes of Skylar's mother? The family -- and the reader -- are left suspended in uncertainty, as often occurs in life.
November 11, 2014
This is one of my all time favorite books. They just don't make it like this anymore
Its a story about a girl named Skylar who had something devastating happen to (her?) and her family years back. They become very strict on her. She is unable to go out or take the bus. Skylar is super unhappy. Her sister is always getting in her way. Not going to school herself. Not allowing her to have friends.
Its a story about a girl named Skylar who had something devastating happen to (her?) and her family years back. They become very strict on her. She is unable to go out or take the bus. Skylar is super unhappy. Her sister is always getting in her way. Not going to school herself. Not allowing her to have friends.
February 17, 2021
Entering my reviews over from my old Goodreads profile I unearthed recently...here are some super sappy thoughts from 2009-era 14-year-old Claire!
In my bedroom, I have a shelf dedicated to books that make me cry. This is the first book I always reach for when I need to sob.
This book explores the effect of a kidnapping on a once-tight family. There are no endings to grief, no answers.
Just beginnings.
In my bedroom, I have a shelf dedicated to books that make me cry. This is the first book I always reach for when I need to sob.
This book explores the effect of a kidnapping on a once-tight family. There are no endings to grief, no answers.
Just beginnings.
March 31, 2012
Skylar is a sophmore teenager in summer school. She is shy and very timid, but her family hides something. Something that happened 3 years ago, because now her mom has turned over protective and Skylar is tired of being treated like Ben, her little brother. I believe this book is very captivating, mysteriouse and interesting. It creates a lot of images in your mind, so far, it's incredible!
December 9, 2009
In my bedroom, I have a shelf dedicated to books that make me cry. This is the first book I always reach for when I need to sob.
This book explores the effect of a kidnapping on a once-tight family. There are no endings to grief, no answers.
Just beginnings.
This book explores the effect of a kidnapping on a once-tight family. There are no endings to grief, no answers.
Just beginnings.
October 7, 2008
This book was very emotional for me because i have dealt with losing a sister and i really "connected" to this story. I loved it!
January 3, 2009
i wish it would have read this in high school...or freshman year of college. i think it would have helped a lot. i'd give it 3 1/2 stars if i could
January 17, 2009
I found this a quick read. It's a well-crafted story, but not anything remarkable.
April 28, 2010
I liked the way this book kept the reader guessing about why Skylar was so sheltered; why her mother did not want to let her go out alone; why her sister was so remote.
September 26, 2010
This one was OK, but I became impatient waiting through nearly the whole novel to learn what the "secret tragedy" was.
December 16, 2011
I love a book when it's short and sweetly written and to the point. Good story about loss.
August 12, 2013
This book was extremely amazing. I read it in only a few days. At the end it had me crying, and I just so relieved of how it ended.
February 3, 2014
YA story with a little bit of mystery, teen angst, and parent over-protectiveness. I like!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews