Red Flags and Butterflies

Gr 9 Up–A toxic familial relationship shows that “abuse is more than bruises” in this emotionally resonant and nuanced look at pressure, expectations, and manipulation. Canadian 10th grader Lexie dreams of going to a high school focusing on fine arts but doesn’t know how to get her dad to approve. Cold, judgmental, and unsupportive, Lexie’s father, who doles out love and kindness as rewards, forces her to put his priorities above her own. She juggles school, swimming, work, volunteering, and a new relationship with cute lifeguard Rhys, but trying to stay on top of it all becomes impossible when her dad demands she also work for his new renovation business. Lexie tries hard to keep everyone happy and be who they expect her to be, but she constantly devalues her self-worth and thinks of herself as sensitive, selfish, and a disappointment—thoughts her dad has spent years implanting in her. Only after a friend helps her understand that her father is abusive is Lexie able to start to comprehend, with the help of her therapist, how unhealthy their relationship is. Azzam has a keen ear for realistic dialogue, which helps move the largely introspective story along. The characters make mistakes, hurt one another’s feelings, and can be inconsiderate and blunt, all behaviors that make them feel authentic. Though the plot is quiet, the constant emotional tension that exists between Lexie and nearly everyone around her will keep readers engaged and rooting for her to figure it all out. Includes an afterword by a friend of the author, details of the late author’s advocacy work, a list of red flags, and a Canadian help line resource. Most characters are cued white.