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Butterfly Girl
A powerful coming-of-age novel about family, friendship, and finding the courage to chart your own course. Perfect for tween and teen readers who believe in a little magic — and a lot of heart.
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In the summer before seventh grade, Oregon farm girl Meghan McCoy-Lee discovers there’s magic in the sap of her family tree. She follows instructions in her great-grandmother’s journal . . . and grows leathery wings! When Meghan’s story goes viral, her absentee mother swoops back into town with superstar plans for her Winged Wonder Girl. Grandpa says stay on the farm and ignore the paparazzi, but her charismatic mom wants her to leave for Hollywood and start a new life together. The popular girls at school wouldn’t miss her – they want her gone, like yesterday – she’s getting way more attention than they are.
One thing is certain: Meghan is going to make up her own mind, and with the help of her friends, she may even find a way to bring the popular girls down a peg or two. Then Meghan must decide if a Hollywood life with the mother she longed for is worth leaving the friends who stood by her, and Grandpa, who loved her before the whole world knew her name.
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In the summer before seventh grade, Oregon farm girl Meghan McCoy-Lee discovers there’s magic in the sap of her family tree. She follows instructions in her great-grandmother’s journal . . . and grows leathery wings! When Meghan’s story goes viral, her absentee mother swoops back into town with superstar plans for her Winged Wonder Girl. Grandpa says stay on the farm and ignore the paparazzi, but her charismatic mom wants her to leave for Hollywood and start a new life together. The popular girls at school wouldn’t miss her – they want her gone, like yesterday – she’s getting way more attention than they are.
One thing is certain: Meghan is going to make up her own mind, and with the help of her friends, she may even find a way to bring the popular girls down a peg or two. Then Meghan must decide if a Hollywood life with the mother she longed for is worth leaving the friends who stood by her, and Grandpa, who loved her before the whole world knew her name.
219 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2019
1 person want to read
About the author
Sarah Floyd
4 books16 followersSarah Floyd was born in Carmel Highlands, California, where she and her friends climbed trees, built forts, rode horses, and acted out adventure stories in the rugged Big Sur wilderness that surrounded their homes. When she was in fifth grade her family moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and then to San Francisco. She always brought her favorite books wherever she moved, and she always made new friends who loved to read. Now she writes books for children and teens — for her, it’s the best job in the world.
Sarah is the author of the upper middle grade novel, SURVIVOR MOUTAIN (Wild Ink Publishing, 2025), BUTTERFLY GIRL (Clear Fork Publishing, 2019, re-published by Wild Ink Publishing, 2025), and the picture book, TEN CLEVER NINJAS (Clear Fork Publishing, 2019). She is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and lives in Florida with her husband and college student son.
Sarah is the author of the upper middle grade novel, SURVIVOR MOUTAIN (Wild Ink Publishing, 2025), BUTTERFLY GIRL (Clear Fork Publishing, 2019, re-published by Wild Ink Publishing, 2025), and the picture book, TEN CLEVER NINJAS (Clear Fork Publishing, 2019). She is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and lives in Florida with her husband and college student son.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 5, 2026
What worked:
The opening sounds like a normal, realistic fiction book, with Meghan wishing she could fly. It quickly changes when Meghan learns her ancestors used to be born with wings. Her mother ran away to join a circus six years ago, and Meghan doesn’t understand how she could abandon her daughter. Meghan hasn’t spoken to her mom since she left, which creates a family conflict. Many young readers can identify with missing a divorced or separated parent, although running away is an uncommon reason. Her mother eventually returns and explains why she left. Middle-grade readers will likely identify with Meghan's experience of being bullied by a former friend and her crush on a cute boy.
Living with differences is a major issue, and Meghan’s grandfather tries to warn her about revealing her wings. She wants to show off her wings immediately, but her grandfather wants her to wait until he comes up with a plan and a story to explain them. She may be ready to tell the world, but her grandfather is not. He knows newspeople and scientists will swarm their home, but Meghan doesn’t foresee problems at school. She’s still the same seventh-grader she’s always been, but people think of wings when they see her. A media feeding frenzy ensues after Meghan reveals her wings. This conflict takes over the plot, as Meghan’s family can’t go anywhere without being mobbed by reporters.
What didn’t work as well:
The grandfather is a kind, supportive man, but his tolerance for Meghan’s lack of foresight feels unrealistic. He’s not overly upset when she goes against his wishes, and he shares more family secrets even after she breaks his trust. Aside from the media attention, which eventually subsides, society accepts the family’s wings much too easily.
The final verdict:
So many things happen (wings, mother’s issues, grandfather, bully/former friend, boys, media) that the plot becomes muddled. Other readers may have a different reaction, because it’s an interesting story. Overall, it’s an entertaining twist on a middle-grade novel, and I suggest readers try it for themselves.
The opening sounds like a normal, realistic fiction book, with Meghan wishing she could fly. It quickly changes when Meghan learns her ancestors used to be born with wings. Her mother ran away to join a circus six years ago, and Meghan doesn’t understand how she could abandon her daughter. Meghan hasn’t spoken to her mom since she left, which creates a family conflict. Many young readers can identify with missing a divorced or separated parent, although running away is an uncommon reason. Her mother eventually returns and explains why she left. Middle-grade readers will likely identify with Meghan's experience of being bullied by a former friend and her crush on a cute boy.
Living with differences is a major issue, and Meghan’s grandfather tries to warn her about revealing her wings. She wants to show off her wings immediately, but her grandfather wants her to wait until he comes up with a plan and a story to explain them. She may be ready to tell the world, but her grandfather is not. He knows newspeople and scientists will swarm their home, but Meghan doesn’t foresee problems at school. She’s still the same seventh-grader she’s always been, but people think of wings when they see her. A media feeding frenzy ensues after Meghan reveals her wings. This conflict takes over the plot, as Meghan’s family can’t go anywhere without being mobbed by reporters.
What didn’t work as well:
The grandfather is a kind, supportive man, but his tolerance for Meghan’s lack of foresight feels unrealistic. He’s not overly upset when she goes against his wishes, and he shares more family secrets even after she breaks his trust. Aside from the media attention, which eventually subsides, society accepts the family’s wings much too easily.
The final verdict:
So many things happen (wings, mother’s issues, grandfather, bully/former friend, boys, media) that the plot becomes muddled. Other readers may have a different reaction, because it’s an interesting story. Overall, it’s an entertaining twist on a middle-grade novel, and I suggest readers try it for themselves.
July 1, 2025
Some of my favorite childhood memories involved trips to the library with my Dad. I would sprint to the children's fiction section and pour over the stacks, looking for books filled with adventure and magic. BUTTERFLY GIRL is just the sort of book I was drawn to as a kid - and the type I still enjoy today.
Meghan is a 12-year-old kid growing up on her Grandpa's Oregon farm. One day, she discovers a family secret - she sprouts wings and is able to fly! Meghan thinks this is great at first, until she realizes how being different changes her relationship with her friends, classmates, and community.
It also puts her in a difficult situation with her mother, who has left home to become a traveling performer. Meghan must decide if she wants a similar life, or if she wants to stay with her friends and beloved Grandpa. I have to say - Grandpa is one of my favorite supporting characters in recent memory. He's wise, sweet and loves Meghan unconditionally. Just the type of person every kid needs in their life.
BUTTERFLY GIRL is a sweet, well-told Middle Grades novel. Kids of any age will love it - even those of us who haven't technically been kids in quite a while!
Meghan is a 12-year-old kid growing up on her Grandpa's Oregon farm. One day, she discovers a family secret - she sprouts wings and is able to fly! Meghan thinks this is great at first, until she realizes how being different changes her relationship with her friends, classmates, and community.
It also puts her in a difficult situation with her mother, who has left home to become a traveling performer. Meghan must decide if she wants a similar life, or if she wants to stay with her friends and beloved Grandpa. I have to say - Grandpa is one of my favorite supporting characters in recent memory. He's wise, sweet and loves Meghan unconditionally. Just the type of person every kid needs in their life.
BUTTERFLY GIRL is a sweet, well-told Middle Grades novel. Kids of any age will love it - even those of us who haven't technically been kids in quite a while!
June 29, 2025
I love how mature Megan is for a 13-year-old, making clear decisions and distinguishing between her love for her mother and her own desires. The book explores themes of identity, self-acceptance, and the complexities of family relationships. Overall, "Butterfly Girl" is a captivating story that will resonate with readers of all ages.
September 11, 2025
A delightful MG story of following your dreams, but staying close to home! Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews