Butterfly

"Butterfly" by Hartnett, Sonya, published by Candlewick Press. From School Library Journal Gr 5-9Using her characteristic surprising and spot-on descriptions, Hartnett drops the usual intensity down a notch or two in this tale. While events seem to be taking place in a recent past, Plum is like every teen in her emotional upheavals, her yearning to fit into a group, and her obliviousness to the feelings of those around her. The narrative mostly focuses on Plum herself, her older brothers Justin and Cydar, and their interactions with a neighbor, Maureen, and her young child. Plum, who is young for her almost 14 years, has a collection of mundane objects that she treats as talismans to keep her safe from day-to-day humiliation by her so-called friends, girls who either taunt and tease or ignore her. Maureen, who is in her mid-30s, offers sage advice and support, but readers know that her motivations for helping Plum are questionable. The situation comes to a head at the girl's birthday slumber party. Her parents and brothers truly love her but are incapable of advising her adequately and generally watch her suffering helplessly. The deliberate pacing, insight into teen angst, and masterful word choice make this a captivating read to savor. Carol A. Edwards, Denver Public Library, CO Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. From Booklist Hartnett, who wrote with such volcanic force in the Printz Honor Book Surrender (2006), adjusts the power of her prose to a soft boil in this lyrical glimpse into the aching contractions of an ordinary Australian family. On the brink of her fourteenth birthday, Plum oscillates between wanting to be oldereven submitting to her friends amateur ear piercingand clinging to the talismans of her youth and the comforting presence of her older brothers Justin and Cydar. Hartnett excels at turning Plums petty desires (like her own TV) into minor epics of heartbreak and longing. More complicated is Plums friendship with Maureen, the 35-year-old married woman next door, and the dawning awareness of Maureens relationship with Justin. Hartnett shuttles the point of view between all three siblings and Maureen, and her deft rendering of their interactions makes this book a natural fit for advanced and adult readers. Suffused with the helpless shame of being unable to soothe the private sadness of loved ones, this is another strong addition to Hartnetts impressive bibliography. Grades 8-12. --Daniel Kraus Book details: published 2009. Order now on BookShops.in with fast, reliable delivery across India.