Emily Hanlon

The Swing Emily Hanlon

Beth, an eleven year old deaf girl, exults in flying on a swing near her familys Vermont summer place. Danny, a native of the town, resents her usurpation of the spot where he and his late father spent happy hours. The boy resents his rough but kindly stepfather, too, but feels compelled to impress him. Thus, when Danny panics and almost loses his life to a bear protecting its cub and Beth saves him, Danny swears he saved Beth, a lie that results in a tragedy. They author deserves credit for a fine novel about recognizable human beings. Publishers Weekly