Title: A Butterfily in Winter
Author: Tara Entwistle-Clark
Genre: Young Adult
Tour Host: Lady
Amber's Tours
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.
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.
My Review: High school what a nightmare! I remember being terrified. Tara Clark did an awesome job of capturing all of those moments. All the nervousness and being terrified to make a move for fear you would do or say the wrong thing. Reading A Butterfly in Winter made all of my terrifying moments return. I felt for Allison I knew what she was going through and so wanted to help her. I believe that this story was very well written and really is quite wonderful at the same time. I think this is a great coming of age story that every teen should read just so they know they aren't alone and being different is what makes them special! This is one book that I will hold on to and read again when I least expect to.
5/5
Excerpt:
Bayberry Hill
Park was half an hour from Bethlehem in the small town of Castleton. The park
was vast, with hiking trails, campgrounds and a stable. We parked near the
entrance to the hiking trails. Patrick grabbed some maps from the information
desk and we walked into the forest. It was the beginning of May and everything
was green. The forest smelled fresh, like it had just woken from a long sleep,
and the trees were at full. It was dark inside the trees, since very little
light made its way through the leaves. We were on a well-beaten dirt path. We
stopped at a clearing and sat down. Rachel and Patrick sat on a log, with their
backs to the trail. Tim and I leaned against a tree, sitting in the damp grass.
“Hey, Tim, what
happened last night?” Rachel asked. “We really didn’t get to talk about it.
What’s up with Brian and Angie?”
Tim sighed,
shrugged, and looked at Rachel. “You know how they are. Angie feels like she
might not have Brian’s complete attention, so she invents a tragedy. There is
always something. I don’t know. I don’t even know why I bother hanging around
them anymore.”
“Why do you?”
Patrick asked.
“Well, Brian’s
my best friend. I've known him since we were both kids. We live only a few
blocks from each other and used to do everything together. When Angie’s family
moved in, the three of us became inseparable. Angie got breasts, though, and
Brian stopped thinking about anything else. I don’t really have anyone but
Brian anymore,” Tim explained.
“Tim and I have
been hanging out with them forever,” Rachel added. “There used to be five of
us, but it’s a long story. The point is we feel obligated to still hang out
with them, even though they’re totally pathetic.”
Patrick nodded.
“Yeah, I understand. Everyone has people like that.” I wondered to myself if I
knew anyone like that. I supposed there had been people back home, but I
couldn't think of anyone in particular.
“So, who’s up
for hiking?” Patrick asked. Rachel stood up, wiping dirt off her butt and
reached for his hand.
“You guys go
ahead,” I offered, knowing Rachel was hoping to spend time alone with Patrick.
Tim and I got up, wet from the grass, and walked away from the clearing into a
large open field. He took off his jacket and laid it on the ground for me to
sit on. I lay down, facing the sky and closed my eyes. Tim lay down next to me,
on his side, so he was leaning over me. He kissed me quickly, softly, and lay
back on the ground. We stayed there staring at the sky, not speaking, for a few
minutes. He pointed out clouds to me and I smiled, breathing in the warm,
spring air. I turned over on my side, so I was looking at him, and played with
his hair.
“I’m so glad
you didn't wear your hat. You have the coolest hair,” I said.
“Thanks, I
think,” he laughed. “You’re so awesome. You’re not like anyone else.”
“You’re joking,
right? I am so much like everyone else. I’m boring and plain and I can’t do
anything.”
“That’s not
true. You’re beautiful, funny, and really smart. I could tell you were smart
the first time I met you. I know I never talked to you much, but I listened.”
I thanked him,
blushing. I did not handle compliments well, mostly because I did not get them
often.
“I don’t know.
I just kinda wish I was more like Rachel,” I said.
“Why? Rachel’s
cool and I really like her, but I like you more.”
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.
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