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 *
A gripping story for young teens. * Friends of the Earth *
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 *
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 *
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 adored this book... It was sad, gripping, touching, surprising, exciting and everything you could want from a great book. * What Lexie Loves *
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 *
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 *
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 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! * Carousel *
Suspenseful and intriguing. * Sophie McKenzie *
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 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 *
