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A review by gadrake
The Butterfly Girl by Rene Denfeld
3.0
This thoughtful, interesting novel sheds light on a social problem that is not in the news enough, i.e., that of homeless children on the streets. Many call them prostitutes or addicts, which they may be, but there is little examination of why they are there at all. This blows this issue wide open.
This is labeled as 'suspense' (there is some low-grade suspense) and it started to seem more like 'mystery' (there is one) but truthfully it is more of an autobiographical recounting of a social issue that is shaped by a novel. After about 80 pages, the story seemed so personal that I looked up the author who, like the main character, is also a private investigator and a foster parent and has adopted a child. While The Butterfly Girl is not Rene Denfeld's personal story, she seems to be pretty clearly pulling from her personal experience at home and in courtrooms.
The main focus is sexual abuse both at home and again once teens are on the street. All social service agencies are understaffed and underfunded. Great love is expressed for volunteers serving meals and running shelters, foster parents, and especially for librarians who treat the homeless with respect and decency. All librarians could find value in reading this.
The beautiful, even stunning book cover reflects one 12-year-old girl's yearning to fly away. Each of the youth presented here are hungry for their own identity and for someone to care. Moving.
This is labeled as 'suspense' (there is some low-grade suspense) and it started to seem more like 'mystery' (there is one) but truthfully it is more of an autobiographical recounting of a social issue that is shaped by a novel. After about 80 pages, the story seemed so personal that I looked up the author who, like the main character, is also a private investigator and a foster parent and has adopted a child. While The Butterfly Girl is not Rene Denfeld's personal story, she seems to be pretty clearly pulling from her personal experience at home and in courtrooms.
The main focus is sexual abuse both at home and again once teens are on the street. All social service agencies are understaffed and underfunded. Great love is expressed for volunteers serving meals and running shelters, foster parents, and especially for librarians who treat the homeless with respect and decency. All librarians could find value in reading this.
The beautiful, even stunning book cover reflects one 12-year-old girl's yearning to fly away. Each of the youth presented here are hungry for their own identity and for someone to care. Moving.