The Butterfly Club Book Review

One of the things that is nice about the fact that my eldest daughter loving reading as much as myself is the fact that I can share books with her that I used to read when I was younger. One of my favourite children's book authors was Jacqueline Wilson so I was pleased when Elise also decided that Jacqueline was her author of choice. Having recently reviewed the Jacqueline Wilson magazine, we were more than pleased when we were recently chosen to review her latest book, The Butterfly Club, can you believe that this is the 101st book that she's written!!

Tina is a triplet, but she's always been the odd one out. Her sisters Phil and Maddie are better at just about everything. Luckily, they look after Tina wherever they go - but when the girls start in Miss Lovejoy's class they're split up for the first time.

Tina is horrified when she's paired up with angry bully Selma. But when Miss Lovejoy asks them to help her create a butterfly garden in the school playground, Tina discovers that she doesn't always need her sisters - and that there's a lot more to Selma than first meets the eye.

The Butterfly Club is written from Tina's point of view. In typical Jacqueline style, the writing is simple yet humerous and meaningful.



The book begins with Tina introducing herself and her sisters. We see that although the sisters are close, Tina always feels like the odd one out, the third wheel. She's treated differently because she has a heart condition, you get the feeling that her sisters feel the need to look after her and their mum just wants to protect her.

"We don't want to be a nuisance Miss Lovejoy, but Maddie and I have to look after Tina, Phil said quickly."

But the triplets have always done everything together, so when they start in their junior year at school and they are suddenly split from each other, Tina has to learn how to be more independent, how to stand up for herself, especially when she's paired up with the class bully Selma on a school project. She can no longer be wrapped up in that imaginary cotton wool that her mums been keeping her in.

Here's what Elise thought of the story :

The Butterfly Club was a delightful read from Jacqueline Wilson. Tina reminds me of my sister Gracie because she always needs my sister Freya and I. Miss Lovejoy also reminds me of my old teacher Mrs Hodgkinson, strict but kind.

My favourite part of the story is where Tina draws the butterflies. I learnt a lot from it. My least favourite part was when Selma flushed Baby down the loo, so sad when Tina was made to cry like that.

At the end we see Selma and Tina on TV and finally they work through their problems and they are friends. I wish I could go on TV with my friend Bobbi!! It was nice seeing Tina happy in the end.

All in all it's the best book in my Jacqueline Wilson collection, I love it!!

The Butterfly Club is a wonderful story. It is heartwarming and uplifting, a coming of age story which shows us about family, friendship, courage and the idea that being yourself is always the best course.

Bought together by the illustrations from Nick Sharratt that we've come to know and love, I like how it shows children how to build courage and gain independence. The positivity behind it all really shines through.

And although the book itself isn't specifically about butterflies, I love how the butterfly theme is carried on throughout, small butterfly motifs on each page are an added detail which is fun and just seems to tie things together. 

I think the butterfly actually represents Tina and relates to how she changes throughout the story, a journey of growth and being able to "fly away" from your troubles.

The book itself is made even better by the added content at the end of the story. We are treated to quizzes, recipes and fun facts, a great way to continue on from the story and keep the fun and learning going.

I cannot fault this book. I think everyone needs to experience atleast one Jacqueline Wilson book and this would certainly be a good one to try!!

xxxx

Disclaimer : I was sent this book FOC for reviewing purposes however all thoughts and opinions are my own.