The book, Summer of the Swans, authored by Betsy Byars is part of the children’s literature genre. The book was published in 1970 and in 1971 the book achieved the Newbery Medal. Betsy was living in West Virginia when she started writing Summer of the Swans. The book was inspired when Betsy volunteered at a school to help kids with learning disabilities. She instructed a third grade girl and a first grade boy who inspired the character Charlie. Betsy used the volunteer program to her advantage and gained the participation of kids who have difficulty learning. She was met with some apprehension from the kids who mistreated and bullied those with mental disabilities. Summer of the Swans is about Sara, a teenager living in West Virginia,