by Karen Hart
“Butterflies in May is a wonderful story about a teenage girl who finds out she’s pregnant. The story immediately captures the reader’s attention because the characters are so real and their feelings so easy to relate to. The story offers a message that’s extremely important in today’s world. Though parents don’t want their children exposed to discussions about sex, teens are constantly bombarded with the topic. While TV shows glamorize sexual activities, this book offers a very real picture of the consequences of being sexually active at a young age. Karen Hart has written the story in a way that allows the reader to become a part of Ali Parker’s life. As the story progresses, readers may find themselves questioning their own feelings about sex, abortion, and adoption. Readers undoubtedly will find themselves devastated, excited, and confused as Ali experiences these emotions herself. (Because the story deals with teenage sexuality, students in junior high may need some guidance from their parents while reading the book.)”—MORGAN ZERWAS, MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER, SANTA ROSA, CA
“I think Ali Parker is a strong, brave woman who made the right decision for her and the baby. She kept her head up when things got tough and stuck through it. I really enjoyed this book. When Ali had to make hard decisions, I felt as if I was right there in the middle of the conversations, making some decisions with her. It was touching and had very strong points. I think this book is really helpful for teens and young teens because it shows the consequences of having sex and the complications you might have to go through.
It will also help teens understand that it is hard to have a baby when you already have plans and goals for your life. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this wonderful book.”—VALADIA LEE, TEEN LEADER, POSTPONING SEXUAL INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM, 11TH GRADE, HUGHES CENTER PAIDEIA PROGRAM, CINCINNATI, OH
“As a former teacher of adolescents, I recommend Butterflies in May to any student faced with life-altering decisions. The book provides a catalyst for discussing a sensitive issue in the classroom because the characters represent many voices in the pro-choice/pro-life debate. Even students not personally touched by teenage pregnancy will learn from Ali’s emotional roller coaster as she struggles to make the best choice for all involved. Karen Hart’s writing will appeal to the adolescent reader.”—LINDA WEDWICK, FORMER MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER, NOW ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT, ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY
“This story of teen pregnancy takes the reader through both the mother and father’s relationship, ambivalence, and the many difficult decisions that take place in a 10-month period surrounding Ali’s pregnancy. Each decision involves a detailed intellectual, emotional, and relationship consideration. The book is instructive and moving because it tries to present the issue from the father and mother’s relationship to each other. I like the counselor’s advice that people make their decisions by their actions, more than by their words. Ali’s most important decision is based on an often neglected realization that ‘every child deserves the love of two parents.’ Butterflies in May is an educational story that will teach teens how a teen pregnancy turns your life inside out.”—CHRISTOPHER KRAUS, JD, MTS, ADOLESCENT ADVOCACY MANAGER, CINCINNATI POSTPONING SEXUAL INVOLVEMENT (PSI) PROGRAM
“This book is one of those rare novels that immediately engages the reader, taking you on a journey of the mind, body, and spirit, all the while providing valuable insight to an all too prevalent issue—teen pregnancy. The statistics are staggering, and they cross all educational, social, and economic levels. Yet teenagers, ruled by their emotions, still fall victim to the it-won’t-happen-to-me syndrome. Karen Hart’s realistic, sensitive, and compassionate approach to the subject enlightens without lecturing. A beautifully offered story, Butterflies in May should top the list of required reading for all high school students.”—LORI FLADSETH, MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER, SANTA ROSA, CA
“I loved Butterflies in May. It addresses a major problem I see almost daily—an increasing number of pregnant teenagers. It accurately lays out the emotion-charged decision-making process the girls undergo. It portrays the teenage boys in just the ways I’ve come to observe. And I cried the last two chapters. May every teenager, boy or girl, get a chance to read this terrific book—before they, too, run headlong into the problem.”—DR. ELLIE TAYLOR, GYNECOLOGIST, BALTIMORE, MD
“Ali’s difficult decision—her decision-making process and what happens to her thereafter—is what this story is all about. The storyline is well told and very readable, at least from my observations of thirty-five years in the private practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The way the family moves from what was general support for the initial course of action to suggesting another direction, for better or worse, was quite realistic. The boyfriend’s leaving after an initial commitment, is, in reality, what we see commonly. Also quite realistically described was the scene outside the clinic—I see this same scene outside our clinic every Saturday. (In our state, we have enacted ‘Bubble Laws’ for the patient’s protection.) I regard Butterflies as an excellent springboard for discussions in high school, and even junior high, social studies, science, biology, and sexuality classes. Well done!”—DELL BERNSTEIN, M.D., OB/GYN, DENVER, CO
“Karen Hart has written a compelling story that explores the complexity of unintended teenage pregnancy in America today. She doesn’t ignore the authenticity of young love or the power of the first blossom of passion. Though Ali Parker and her boyfriend Matt Ryan would both like to turn back time, the reality is that they must face the consequences of their actions and finally come to terms with what they feel is the ‘right thing to do’—together and independently. Ms. Hart is well versed in adolescent development, and the push-pull of heart and mind is beautifully illustrated in her book as Ali Parker makes a critical decision about her future—one she makes with the tough and tender grace we see every day in our teenagers. Thankfully, they have access to public health and social services that offer the options they need to make difficult and very grown-up decisions. By reading Butterflies in May, we feel as if we’ve been at the family kitchen table for Ali’s senior year in high school, and her journey into the adult world will resonate with both teenagers and parents alike.”—MARY MARTHA WILSON, DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, HEALTHY TEEN NETWORK (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY, PARENTING AND PREVENTION)
“Karen Hart’s Butterflies in May is a gut-wrenching yet realistic look at teen pregnancy. Told in the first person, Ali’s emotional, mental, and physical journey is a wonderfully accurate account that shows the far-reaching ripple effect that one ‘mistake’ can have. We as readers experience excellent character development in the reactions of the boyfriend, her parents, her friends, his parents, a trusted relative, teachers, and counselors. Often, teens naively think ‘it’s my baby, so it’s my decision,” but teen pregnancy forever changes so many lives. The reader’s emotions will run the gamut as Ali explores her options—abortion, adoption, parenting. Perhaps there is the realization that once the threshold of teen sex is crossed, life’s options change dramatically. This book is not only for girls, but also for boys and their families to read, and to frankly discuss ‘what if’ scenarios – the challenges and consequences of decisions before taking the leap into being sexually active. As Ali’s mom points out, being well informed does not preclude our doing dumb things. I am haunted by a sad question that will always remain unanswered—what would Ali and Matt’s future have been under different circumstances?”—DEBRA SMITH, HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER, LITTLETON, CO
“Butterflies in May is a touching story. I was moved by Hart’s ability to convey the joy and heartbreak of a first love, the impossible number of emotions felt with unplanned pregnancy, and the very real teenage pressures of thinking about the future. Her story provides an over-the-shoulder glance at the reality of teenage pregnancy and the tough choices that go with it. I felt sympathy for both Ali and Matt as they were faced with this difficult situation, both unprepared for the hard choices they would have to
make. Hart provides a wealth of information on the options and resources available to pregnant teens, as well as the advice that support is out there, and no one has to go through it alone.”—AMY BRENINGER, SCIENCE TEACHER, MARIA CARRILLO HIGH SCHOOL, SANTA ROSA, CA
“Butterflies in May by Karen Hart is a story that chronicles a journey, taking a group of high school seniors along a winding path with unexpected obstacles and leading them into the realm of maturity. The book tackles the social taboo of teenage pregnancy with dignity, portraying the unsettling magnitude of premature adult responsibility. Ali Parker, the centerpiece of the novel, is seventeen and struggling to accept her situation of a predetermined future. She is forced into making choices that seem incomprehensible. The book focuses on how Ali arrives at her decisions, some that she will second-guess for many years, and provides insight into how her actions impact those around her, surprising even herself. Each character with whom she interacts is faced with typical adolescent problems, and each independently wrestles with choices that must be made to foster self-acceptance into adulthood. Karen Hart has written a story that responsibly teaches hard truths about the consequences of youthful impulse without imposing a verdict, providing an effective tool for pondering choices that adolescents rarely think will ever need their own personal consideration. She creates an avenue for empathetic understanding that immunity does not exist in life, but amnesty does.”—NANCY BRODBECK, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, WARRENSBURG-LATHAM HIGH SCHOOL, WARRENSBURG, IL
“Butterflies in May is an incredibly appropriate book for high school students, as well as for adults. Reading it is a safe way for all such readers to experience and learn about often undiscussed topics. The physical, psychological, and emotional changes women go through during pregnancy were described perfectly. A variety of other extremely important subjects were also well dealt with: family, friendships, teen pregnancy, and high school love. Eventually, each was worked through, with the characters coming to terms with the most positive way to handle all situations.”—KARA LEMKE, PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER, MARIA CARRILLO HIGH SCHOOL, SANTA ROSA, CA