Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Trumpet of the Swan, E.B. White, 252 pages, WARNING: this also spoils a tiny bit

Fourth grade (but it could be anywhere between third and fifth grade)...

The Trumpet of the Swan is truly a different book than you might expect. It involves way more than you would think from the cover and title. It also involves a problem and a solution. The problem is that a trumpeter swan, Lois, is born dumb, not being able to speak. When he and his family migrate, he falls in love with a young swam, and his heart is broken when she ignores him because he is unable to call to her. The cob, Lois' father, decides he must find one of the "brass things that is called a trumpet and teach Lois how to play it so he can be able to call to that good-for-nothing young swan!" And so he sets out and manages to steal a trumpet from an instrument shop for Lois. So after having a visit with Sam, his friend, and learning how to read and write and acquires a chalkboard and chalk to communicate with humans, Lois sets out to earn some money. Sam says his camp is in need of a bugler. Lois finds his first job, which leads him to more. Once he has earned over $5000, Lois returns to his home, meets the swan he loves, and manages to catch her attention. Then Lois gives the money to his father, who returns it to the store, and comes home safely again. Lois is overjoyed and thanks his father.

I know, I know. It's long. Sorry. And it spoils some parts. Sorry. But it's a summary. And you can't exactly summarize without either spoiling or cliffhanging. Sorry.

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