Young and curious, baby Katherine can’t help but peer over the edge of the fire pit. The orange and red flames attract her eyes. Such mysterious wonder.

What would happen if she touched it? With no one in sight, Katherine extends her arm just inches too far. This is a tragic mistake. Rachel, her sister, screams for help. Their father, however, is convinced that she pushed her baby sister into the fire. She is accused of pushing the person she loves so greatly into the pit. She’s accused by her own father. Did Katherine really just reach out too far? Or is her only sister responsible for the scars that will stay with her forever?

“The petrol burnt fiercely. Acid flames covered Katherine’s brown hair and her head, burning her hair, her face, her body. Acid flames covered her arms and her little body’s chubby folds and soft baby skin.”

The agony that Katherine experiences throughout her lifetime is carefully depicted throughout these pages. Set in Australia, you do feel as if you are there. From the wildlife to the slightly different vocabulary, we know we aren’t in the United States. The main character is a swimmer, a big sport in Australia. She is a swimmer whose own coach wants her off the team because she’s so different looking. While Katherine is always outside and in nature, I’m not sure why the author picked the title “Butterflies.” Maybe it’s because of the symbolic aspect of butterflies. They are transformed so dramatically. Whether it is the painful fire that practically consumes Katherine or the rough behavior from upperclassmen in her school that make her feel even more self-conscious, either way, Katherine comes across as an everyday girl. Yet, she has elements of heroism in her blood, and one truly loyal friend who helps her cope. It is fascinating to find regular teen problems combined with a terrible disaster. The problems Katherine faces create an amazing page turner.

This book is a phenomenal work of art. It portrays the most subtle, yet deep emotions that make you crave more. The main character is continually trying to figure out how she really feels. Her life is out of balance, and she’s always trying to get some equilibrium. Will the bully stop taunting her? Will the others stop laughing at her?

Susanne Gervay uses unusual techniques to tell this story. The author introduces her main character in the present moment, during an awkward incident at school. But then, there are flashbacks. Through these flashbacks, you come to understand Katherine. The author introduces her main character’s unimaginable horrific scarring, but at the same time, successfully makes you feel as if you were the one living with burns. Wishing you were someone different. Gervay also effectively portrays Katherine’s relationships with her sister, mother, friends and most noticeably, her father.

Aside from the conflict of her being ‘different’ from everyone, a large part of the plot focuses on the main character being curious about her father. She doesn’t really know him. He left her mother because raising the children was too difficult. Not only has he become an alcoholic, but it is never clear if one of his daughters injured the other on purpose. Did he just imagine it while he was drinking? Katherine’s father cannot deal with this uncertainty at all. It is heartbreaking to experience Katherine’s intensifying anger towards him, as he comes to visit at random times. Many years without him makes it hard to tell if she will let him back into her life, or forget him forever.

Katherine just wants to lead a normal life, one with a father and with the skin everybody else has. She is tired of the endless skin grafts and how differently people treat her. Will Katherine’s wishes be fulfilled? Will she learn to live with her looks, with who she is? Or will she get the scars removed, the way one doctor suggests. If her scars are no longer evident, will she change entirely? Is it more important to fit in, or to be yourself?

I would rate this book a solid 4 out of 5. Susanne Gervay does a great job of creating a believable character with unique needs, and a dream that might come true. Read it and find out if it does!