Title: A Butterfily in Winter
Author: Tara Entwistle-Clark
Genre: Young Adult
Synopsis:
Allison Stafford is fourteen. As if that is not enough to deal with in itself, her parents suddenly move her from her small town in Vermont to suburban Michigan, all in the middle of her freshman year of high school. For Allison, there is more to learn at her new school than just finding her way around. Soon she is attempting to make sense of her newly discovered sexuality, and wondering what it takes to fit in with the "cool" people at her school. Despite tragedy and several mistakes, Allison manages to survive. This novel leads the reader through the murky depths of high school, and reminds us all of the importance of true friendship.
4. I don't take pictures, although I can see if I can add one eventually.
5. Tara is always in the middle of something. Right now, that "something" includes a YA novel called "How Quick Bright Things" and a fantasy novel that is nearly done but has no title. In addition to writing, she loves to read. Her favorite author of all time is Courtney Summers. She thinks you should probably read her instead! No one captures high school better.
Our Thoughts:
This book brought me back to my junior high days with the music, magazines, and clothes to the "T". It reminds me a lot of my freshman and sophomore years when friends started dating and alienating themselves.
Tara captured the feelings of being the "new kid" trying to fit in, dealing with peer pressure and experimenting.
The characters were amazing. Out of all of them, I'd have to say that I loved Rachel the most. From her anti-girly wardrobe to her sweet and sensitive side that only Allison really sees, she kinda reminds me of myself at that age.
The story itself is an eye opener. I think teenagers that are having similar feelings as Allison should read this book. Teenage years are confusing and I think that A Butterfly in Winter should become part of Sex Ed Class to help sort out those feelings.
Great job Tara!
~Crystal
This is a story about peer pressure and the effects of giving in so easily.
Allison is a young sophomore who just moved to a new area and is starting a new school that has a faster pace of growing up and learning than her old school.
She meets a new friend named Rachel who although dresses different is really the best friend she ever had. She meets Tim, her new boyfriend.
And with young girls in high school, all these ones seem to think about is sex, drinking, and skipping school. Allison gets wrapped up with these new set of friends after her and Rachel and Tim have a falling out.
To be honest it has a good concept, it just felt a bit rushed towards the end. I am sure lots of young girls could relate to this and I hope for dear life that if I ever had a daughter that she would never have to go through what poor Allison did.
~Jaime
I was seriously blown away by this novel. Allison is uprooted from her small Vermont town and into big city Michigan in the middle of her freshman year of high school. From there her life begin a roller-coaster ride of epic proportions.
She is face with peer pressure choices on huge levels. Surrounded by friends and other classmates that are having sex at 13 and 14, Allison is thrown into countless outlets of .peer pressure. These other kids seem to frown on her choice to keep her virginity intact.
As a parent of a 14 year old daughter, this book scares the living daylights out of me! I have been long removed from the high school scene, but this book is very true to life. I am amazed that the scenes I went through as a senior are now more prevalent among 13 year olds. There is almost a desperate need for acceptance and to be considered part of the in crowd. This feeling pushes Allison and many teens like her to make decisions that she would never choose otherwise.
This story isn't sugar coated, and things don't always end up happily ever after but it is a great, well written reality check. It flows well,.with realistic scenes and situations. The characters are a motley mix of.personalities......people we all can relate to. It made the book more real and relevant.
This is an eye opening read for.parents, one I really recommend. Talk about it with your teens it can really make a difference. 4 stars
~Michelle
Author Bio:
Tara is always in the middle of something. Right now, that "something" includes a YA novel called "How Quick Bright Things" and a fantasy novel that is nearly done but has no title. In addition to writing, she loves to read. Her favorite author of all time is Courtney Summers. She thinks you should probably read her instead! No one captures high school better.
Buy Link:
Book Description:.JPG)
