We need more books like BUTTERFLIES

In all seriousness, if I could give BUTTERFLIES by Susanne Chervay more than 5 stars, I so would. 18, but still struggling with the severe 3rd degree burns from falling into a fire pit when she was only 3 years old. She continues to have to have complicated surgeries. As most girls in their teens can attest, we all struggle with our self-image: Am I pretty? Am I pretty enough? Will anyone ever love me (besides my family)? Will a boy ever like me enough to want to kiss me? To want to hold me?

This beautiful coming-of-age story tells of Katherine who is almost 18, but still struggling with the severe 3rd degree burns from falling into a fire pit when she was only 3 years old. She continues to have to have complicated surgeries. As most girls in their teens can attest, we all struggle with our self-image: Am I pretty? Am I pretty enough? Will anyone ever love me (besides my family)? Will a boy ever like me enough to want to kiss me? To want to hold me?

Katherine's feelings of insecurity are heightened by her very real scars that she is unable to hide regardless of what she wears or how many surgeries she has or even how she chooses to wear her hair.

My heart goes out to all young women dealing with low self-image/self-esteem, but my heart breaks even more for all young women who can't see beyond the scars to how very beautiful they are.

This beautiful book is a MUST-read and not just for teen girls, but for all girls--and boys, too. The struggle is real and just because Katherine has real, horrific burn scars does not lessen the reality that all girls deal with believing they're ugly or not good enough or just not enough.

What really tore my heart to shreds is the fact that Katherine's sister Rachel struggles as well. While this is not Rachel's story (it would be so amazing for Susanne Chervay to write this story again using Rachel's point-of-view), we do get enough of Rachel to understand that Rachel has always been her sister's greatest support (besides their mom) which means that Rachel has had to put her own life on hold as she is so desperately needed by Katherine. The beautiful part is that Katherine "gets" it. But so does Rachel.

I LOVE this book. Thank you, Amanda Coburn, for "talking me into" getting this book when we had your Usborne Books online show. I do not and will not ever regret the money spent on this amazing book. It's sure to be a Christmas present, so everyone I give gifts to, be ready to receive your copy!