Cullinan, Bernice E. A Study Guide to the Novels of Betsy Byars. New York: Viking Penguin, n.d. Provides literary analysis of several of Byars's novels, including The Summer of the Swans.

De Montreville, Doris, and Donna Hill, eds. Third Book of Junior Authors. New York: H. W. Wilson, 1972. The editors provide an autobiographical sketch by Byars and a bibliography of her works and related articles.

Glazer, Joan, and Gurney Williams III.

Introduction to Children's Literature.

New York: McGraw-Hill, 1979. Discusses the book with insight into Sara's sensitive feelings about Charlie.

Kingman, Lee, ed. Newbery and Caldecott Medal Books, 1966-1975. Boston: Horn Book, 1975. Offers a glimpse of the author through her Newbery Award acceptance speech and through her husband's comments.

Morowski, Daniel G., ed. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Vol. 35. Detroit: Gale Research, 1985. Excerpts criticism of Byars's novels.

Norton, Donna E. Through the Eyes of a Child: An...