Butterfly Summer

Here is a seemingly gentle story that actually explores parental depression and the intensity of pre-teen friendships, as well as family secrets. It could happily sit beside the novels from the likes of Cathy Cassidy; what makes this one special is the brooding atmosphere of secrets waiting to be discovered, which builds like a gathering summer storm.

Becky moves with her mum back to the village where her mum grew up. Left largely to her own devices over the summer holidays, Becky discovers a local butterfly garden where she meets another girl her age, Rosa May. An intense friendship develops and Becky is soon spending as much time as she can with her spirited new friend.

But questions creep into her new life and mysteries surface and deepen. Becky discovers a picture of her mother with a baby who is definitely not her. Rosa begins to get jealous of Becky spending time with anyone else, especially local boy Mack.

Answers are not easy and you really feel for neglected Becky who is continually left on her own and has to go through her own challenging re-evaluation of what she believes and who to trust.

Revelations delve into ghostly territory and are well-handled (although possibly not a surprise for some readers); the intrigue is spot-on for younger readers and delivered through pitch-perfect drama and prose. The portrayal of easy and of dominating types of friendships is especially evocative and should resonate strongly with the readership.