The Butterfly Clues

December 12, 2011
Penelope, aka “Lo,” has several obsessive urges—she is drawn to multiples of the number three, repeats the word “banana” for security, and steals various items that she hoards and carefully organizes in her attic bedroom. These compulsions have intensified since her beloved older brother, Oren, died, as has her habit of roaming from her suburban home into different neighborhoods of Cleveland. On one such journey to a seedy section of town dubbed Neverland, Lo is almost hit by a stray bullet. When she learns that a girl was murdered nearby and discovers some of the dead girl’s jewelry at a flea market, Lo becomes determined to find the killer. The mystery pulls Lo into an underworld of strip clubs, drugs, and crime, and also introduces her to Flynt, a street artist who she connects with. In a strong, twisty thriller of a debut, Ellison builds tension effectively, creating credible (if slightly romanticized) portraits of both the decaying, violent streets of Neverland and the compulsions that make Lo such a complex and memorable heroine. Ages 14–up. Agent: Foundry Literary + Media.

February 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-From the very first page of this novel, readers know that Lo is a girl with issues. While exploring a crime-ridden neighborhood on the outskirts of Cleveland, she steals an angel statue on impulse and hears a gunshot as she runs away. The next morning, she's back in her comfortable suburban home when she hears that a young woman was murdered right where she'd been the day before. An interest in finding out about the victim becomes an obsession with discovering the truth behind her murder. In the midst of this thrilling mystery, readers also find out more about Lo's compulsive behaviors, which include lying, stealing, hoarding, and behavioral tics like tapping and counting. The details surrounding the death of her older brother are also slowly revealed, and an awkward romance begins to bud between Lo and an older runaway. The strands of these story lines are artfully woven to a satisfying conclusion. This book casts a spell over its readers with its fast-moving narrative and seamless plotting. Teens will appreciate the honest and realistic portrayal of a character with complex issues, which nevertheless are not the main focus of the book. The excitement of the unfolding mystery and the unique characters make this a great addition.-Sunnie Sette, New Haven Public Library, CT

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