Title: The
Butterfly
Author and
Illustrator: Patricia Polacco
Publisher: Philomel
Books
Publication Date: 2000
ISBN Number: 978-0142413067
Amanda’s Rating: 4.5/5
Brief Summary: The
Butterfly is a story that tells the difficult tale of a little girl in France
during the Nazi occupation. As she tries
to come to terms with everything that is going on around her, Monique finds out
that her mother is a member of the resistance and that her new friends living
in the basement are in danger. After
helping them escape, Monique worries about the safety of her friends, but is comforted
by a swarm of butterflies that not only shows her that beauty is still in the
world but also that her friend Sevrine must have sent them to let Monique know
she’s safe.
Evaluation Statement:
The Butterfly handles the difficult topics of Nazis and the Holocaust very
delicately. The reader’s interest is
kept throughout as they need to find out if the family gets caught by the
Nazis. Some readers may find difficulty
reading the few French words during the story.
Butterflies are symbols of beauty and peace in such a horrible time. When the swarm of butterflies comes to
Monique at the end, it was such a meaningful moment that it brought tears to my
eyes. Because of the topic, a parent or
teacher should read this with a child unless it is appropriate for them to read
by themselves. Every child should read
this book at some point because of how well, for children, it tells an
important part of history.
Patricia Polacco's books are wonderful. I have not read this one, but it seems like it could be realistic fiction but also an example of historical fiction since it is set in France during the occupation. She has a book called Pink and Say that is set during the Civil War, which is heart wrenching.
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