The Trumpet of the Swan
by E. B. White · Grade 3-5 · Ages Ages 8-12
Louis is a young trumpeter swan who cannot make a sound, which is a big problem for a swan. With help from a kind boy named Sam and a special trumpet, Louis begins looking for a way to share his voice with the world.
Key vocabulary
A cygnet is a baby swan. It is fluffy and small when it hatches.
A trumpeter swan is a large white swan with a long neck. It is named for its loud, trumpet-like call.
A trumpet is a shiny brass instrument you blow into to make music. It can sound bright and bold.
A slate is a small writing board used with chalk. Louis uses one to help share words.
The wilderness is a wild place where plants and animals live with few people around. It can feel quiet and wide open.
Determined means not giving up, even when something is hard. A determined person keeps trying.
Dignity means acting with self-respect and calm pride. It is a way of showing that you matter.
To communicate means to share thoughts or feelings with someone. You can do it by talking, writing, music, or gestures.