Butterflies in May

While reading `Butterflies In May' I learned more than my previous knowledge on how hard teenage pregnancy is and how many difficult decisions you have to make, and that those decisions even from the very beginning will stay with you forever in life. I loved the way the characters seemed real. In high school everyone thinks they are in love and will stay with their partner through anything, but `Butterflies in May' showed how a loved one may not be everything you hoped for. This book has opened my eyes to how even when being careful accidents do happen, it's part of life, and that they can happen to anyone at anytime. I recommend this book to any teenage girl interested in reading about a heartfelt life changing story, or any high school girl looking for a good book to read. `Butterflies In May' takes a teenage girl on a totally different path than she ever planned, and she will keep you interested during the whole book. The above paragraph was written by my 15 year old grandaughter, Sadie. As a 68 year old, this book is not what I usually read, but the first page caught my attention and I finished it the same day. 'Butterflies in May' is for all ages!

Butterflies in May was a very strong and powerful book for a 13 year old girl, as I am. After reading this book, I thought how hard it was for Ali Parker to have a child and lose her boyfriend at the same time. I think all teenage girls as well as boys should read this book so they know the things that can happen in their life and be aware of their decisions for their future. When I was reading this book, I could simply not put it down, Miss Karen Hart is a wonderful author who is smart and cares about what goes on in the world. I hope she continues to write fabulous books as this one was. ~~Emiley from Texas

High school senior Ali Parker has always been careful about sex, but she has never been in love before. Now a seventeen-year old and applying to nearby Northeastern, she has met her soul mate Pratt Institute bound Matt Ryan, a talented artist. Since Matt is planning on attending school in New York, Ali applies to Columbia and NYU, noted journalist schools as is her interest, so they can be a subway ride away from each other. However, objectives change when Ali becomes pregnant. She must decide what to do. The choices are obvious but none simple. Her loving parents want the best for her, but they also want to make that choice. Her boyfriend Matt is confused and bewildered; one moment feeling they can do it if he gives up his artistic dreams and she her journalistic endeavors to raise the child as a married couple; the next just wanting to attend college with no responsibilities except grades. Her best friend Monica is there for her, but Ali knows in the end everything is up to her. BUTTERFLIES IN MAY is an insightful look at teen pregnancies through the eyes of an intelligent, cautious female who abruptly finds herself needing to make difficult adult decisions, Ali holds the tale together as she struggles with her world reversing polarity from a somewhat carefree existence to making complex adult choices. Karen Hart provides a deep character study-family drama in which the emphasis is to provide teens with honest education, information and knowledge instead of sound bites, shrills, and platitudes. Parents and leaders need to be there not preach as sometimes even a careful person can land in a sticky situation. Harriet Klausner