Butterfly Summer

Anne-Marie Conway

Anne-Marie Conway is a primary school teacher specializing in drama and also runs her own children’s theatre company, Full Circle. She lives in London with her husband and their two sons. Anne-Marie’s first book, Phoebe Finds Her Voice, was shortlisted for the inaugural Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition and picked for the Summer Reading Challenge 2011. Since then she has written two more books in the Starmakers series and the bestselling novel Butterfly Summer.

Visit www.annemarieconway.com to find out more.

Awards

Winner, Secondary School Category, The Oxfordshire Book Award
The Oxfordshire Book Award is special because it is an award voted for entirely by children and young adults, who read and nominate their favourite books. They can take part either at participating primary and secondary schools, or through any public library.

Press & Blog Reviews

Becky is haunted – in every sense – by her family’s past, and especially by her father, whom her mother refuses to discuss with her. Who is the demanding girl in the butterfly garden on the edge of the village whom nobody sees except Becky? And what really happened to her father? Lovely characters include Mum’s supportive friend Stella, her common-sensible son Mack and Mr and Mrs Jackson who run the village shop.
The Independent on Sunday

Secrets and mysteries abound in Anne-Marie conway’s haunting novel, BUTTERFLY SUMMER. Becky and her mother have moved to a small village for a fresh start but when Becky finds an old photo of her mother with a baby, taken 12 years before Becky herself was born, questions need to be answered. Like just why is her mother so afraid of water? Perhaps Becky’s new friend Rosa May holds the answer.
The Sunday Express

I was...completely swept up in the story from the first page. The setting is beautifully done, with the hot oppressive summer perfectly matching the tone of the story, and the butterfly garden itself embodying the relationship between Becky and Rosa May. The more serious themes, such as Becky's mother's depression, are dealt with sensitively but without sugar coating, and Rosa May's changeable nature gave the story a real sense of danger and tension. It's really not the story of light and happiness suggested by the title, but a much more weighty read that will give readers something to really think about.
The Bookbag

Like Conway’s Star Makers Club series, [Butterfly Summer} is really easy to read – she has a wonderful writing style which makes the book hard to put down and her prose captures the settings, especially the Butterfly Garden itself, vividly... A definite recommendation for a thrilling read.
Ya Yeah Yeah blog

A gripping story which catches the importance of friendship – even when there are dark, dark secrets. When Becky and her mum return to where her mum grew up she uncovers an old photo which reveals something about her family she has never known before. Mum’s too busy with her new job to ask but Becky finds a very special friend in the beautiful Butterfly Garden. There are secrets everywhere in this atmospheric story which is beautifully resolved.
Love Reading 4 Kids

This is a book that you finish and want to read all over again... Anne-Marie Conway deftly keeps you away from the truth, dropping hints that have you wondering but don’t reveal too much.
Books, bonnets and full-frontal blogging

Conway drops clues deftly into the water with hardly a ripple — reread this gently nostalgic mystery and you will be astonished at what you missed the first time.
The Jewish Chronicle

I have recommended this book to all of my friends and become engrossed in Becky’s story...probably the best book I have been given to review.
Scholastic Book Club review by Georgia, aged 12

Like the sun glinting on a butterfly’s wing, there’s both light and darkness in Anne-Marie Conway’s outstanding novel...[Butterfly Summer] gets to the heart of childhood dilemmas whilst unravelling mysteries from the past. A terrific read for youngsters aged nine and over.
Lancashire Evening Post

This gentle but gripping book is a tale of friendship and the paranormal and is perfect for fans of Cathy Cassidy and Karen McCombie.
Booktrust

What makes this one special is the brooding atmosphere of secrets waiting to be discovered, which builds like a gathering summer storm.
Books for Keeps

This book does not try to lessen the impact of depression and loss, and weaves them into an incredibly moving and thrilling tale. The ending is both shocking and sad, and thoroughly satisfying. Highly recommended!
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Reader Reviews

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Extras

• Anne-Marie Conway at Butterfly World Project
  Usborne Publishing have teamed up with Butterfly World Project to celebrate the launch of Butterfly Summer by Anne-Marie Conway.
• Anne-Marie Conway reveals the inspiration behind Butterfly Summer
  Read Anne-Marie Conway's guest post on Bookbabblers to find out how she was inspired to write Butterfly Summer.
• Watch the Butterfly Summer trailer