Swan Boy

September 5, 2016
“Much like Dr. Who... our bodies regenerate, and they also change.” That’s an understatement for Johnny Emin, who isn’t just going through puberty but starting to sprout swan feathers on his chest. It all began when a swan attacked a bully who was picking on Johnny, who has recently moved to a new neighborhood in North London. The next thing Johnny knows, the “Populars” at school are taunting him with the nickname “Swan Boy,” he’s given the lead role in his school’s production of Swan Lake, he repeatedly crosses paths with the swan, and his mysterious physical transformation continues to progress. Johnny is also dealing with the aftermath of his father’s sudden death and taking care of his grieving mother and younger brother. Via the unusual magical realism elements, Sheehan believably presents Johnny’s growth as he comes to terms with his loss, matures, and makes new friends. Though the third-person narrative largely focuses on Johnny’s thoughts and worries, Sheehan highlights moments involving other key characters, adding further depth in this insightful story about bereavement and bullying. Ages 9–13.

Dance becomes him.After his half-Turkish father's death, Johnny Emin, a 13-year-old British boy, feels like an outsider in his own life. Uprooted from his family's house to a small flat in London, Johnny endures constant bullying from the Populars at his new school, who nickname him Swan Boy, and becomes the caretaker for his 5-year-old brother, Mojo, while their white mother struggles to make ends meet. With no friends and no one with whom to share his grief, Johnny is totally isolated until a series of encounters with a majestic swan result in his sprouting actual feathers and discovering a new sense of agency. Through a series of misadventures, Johnny is unexpectedly cast as Prince Siegfried in the school's dance production of Swan Lake and must decide whether he has the courage to embrace his uniqueness despite what others may think. Sheehan's second novel, which is part grief narrative, part anti-bullying/self-empowerment story, and part fantasy, addresses so many themes that it gets mired in its own good intentions. While Johnny's anger at his father's death is nicely rendered, the fantasy elements might have been better left as metaphor, since Johnny's literal transformation detracts from the notion that dance is really what liberates him. Still, this novel, with its solid message about finding courage through adversity, should resonate with teens who feel isolated. (Magical realism. 11-16) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-Johnny, or "Swan Boy," as the students at his new school call him, cannot seem to catch a break. Johnny and his little brother, Mojo, are still recovering from the recent loss of their father, and they and their mother attempt to realize who they are without him. The plot mainly revolves around Johnny's feelings of anger-at his father for leaving them, at Mojo for not understanding that he's not coming back, and at his mother for forcing him into a new school. Johnny's rage escalates as initiation to his new school comes in the form of Liam Clark and the other "Populars"; however, an odd string of events lead Johnny into a journey of self-discovery and freedom. The narration often provides insight into the supporting characters and their motivations, including Liam Clark, resident bully. A pushy yet ingenious teacher, a swan's feather, a Russian folktale, and an overwhelming need to be oneself propel this story to soar. This is a quirky, relevant, and realistic look into the life of a teen boy in the midst of an internal struggle, with a touch of the fantastical. VERDICT This novel will resonate with many readers as they navigate the murky waters of adolescence and self-discovery.-Meghan Oppelt, Whitehall School District, WI

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