Ellison,
K. (2012). The
Butterfly Clues.
New York: Egmont USA. ISBN 9781606842638
Plot Summary
Penelope "Lo" Marin is not your average detective. She is a teenage girl who suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) which forces her to compulsively steal and arrange items according to how they fit beautifully into her surroundings. These characteristics, amongst others, affect and are part of Lo. She is an outcast not only because of her disorder, but at home her father is distant and her mother hardly leaves her bed since Lo's brother Oren ended up murdered mysteriously in an apartment in "Neverland." Between investigation and serendipitous events, Lo becomes witness to a murder of a nineteen-year-old stripper named Sapphire which may be linked to her brother's death. Her atypical investigation is marred when police do not believe her and her disorder causes her to act counter to her investigation, but Lo is determined to unravel this mystery through sheer determination.
Critical Evaluation
This is an interesting mystery novel, and much of that comes from the disorder that Lo has. The story is written in a very quickly paced, urgent manner, and it is also from Lo's perspective. In this manner, the reader feels not only like they are participating in the discovery, but also that they are experiencing what Lo is, disorder and all. That is where this novel shines. The plot for this novel is a bit too convenient, with Lo seeing and discovering things a bit too easily or in unlikely ways, but that can be overlooked by the strength of the main character.
Reader's Annotation
Following her brother's mysterious death, Lo witnesses a murder that may hold clues to understanding, but will her compulsion help or hinder as she inches closer to the truth.
Author Information
Kate Ellison's description on her website elucidates her whimsical nature and style:
"Kate Ellison spent a lot of time as a child, in Baltimore, pretending to be things she wasn't: a twin, a telekinetic, a benevolent witch with a box full of magical stones, a spy, a soccer player. She trained as an actor in Chicago and has walked across the entire country of Spain. She is a painter and jewelry-maker, and has at least one artist friend who really does keep his true name a secret from the world. He told her, but don't ask her to tell you—she's not gonna do it. Kate lives in Brooklyn, New York" (About).
"Kate Ellison spent a lot of time as a child, in Baltimore, pretending to be things she wasn't: a twin, a telekinetic, a benevolent witch with a box full of magical stones, a spy, a soccer player. She trained as an actor in Chicago and has walked across the entire country of Spain. She is a painter and jewelry-maker, and has at least one artist friend who really does keep his true name a secret from the world. He told her, but don't ask her to tell you—she's not gonna do it. Kate lives in Brooklyn, New York" (About).
Genre
Mystery
Curriculum Ties
Reading and Language Arts
Booktalking Ideas
From Lo's perspective present in internal monologue describing what she should do as she witnesses Sapphire's murder, highlighting her OCD, and how that affects the course of her monologue.
Reading Level/Interest Age
The Butterfly Clues is rated HL790L on the Lexile Range. Older teens will be interested, and the subject matter of a dead teenage stripper suggests a more mature readership.
Challenge Issues
Language, violence, murder, sex, and OCD depictions are all addressed.
If challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in order to speak about it directly. Then, listen the challenger's complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone. As a last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the patron.
If challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in order to speak about it directly. Then, listen the challenger's complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone. As a last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the patron.
Reason Selected
Mystery novels are always good choices for reluctant readers, and while this one is not perfect, the hook of a teenage sleuth with OCD is presented here in an interesting and engaging way, setting it apart from others in the genre.
Mystery novels are always good choices for reluctant readers, and while this one is not perfect, the hook of a teenage sleuth with OCD is presented here in an interesting and engaging way, setting it apart from others in the genre.
References
About Kate Ellison. (n.d.).
In Kate Ellison.
Retrieved April 3, 2013, from
http://www.kateellison.com/about_kate.php
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