Better With Butter by Victoria Piontek
First off, the title is awesome!
Marvel is 12 years old. She is also afraid of everything. I understand; I am also someone who worries about everything. I stress about how much I am stressing because I know that it is not healthy, but I can’t help it! Marvel has been told she has anxiety, but she sees it as armor. If there is a possibility that something could go wrong, she needs to be prepared for it. Again, I get it. I was never diagnosed with anxiety, but I remember having to prepare myself to simply say “here” when my teachers were taking attendance. When I was in high school, I asked a question towards the end of the year, and I heard a classmate whisper, “Oh, I didn’t know she could speak!”. It was embarrassing, but I have gotten better! That being said, I understand the stress Marvel is going through.
On her way home from school one day, she finds a goat. A group of kids had been scaring the goat, causing it to faint over and over. So cruel! Marvel grabs the goat and takes her home. She puts Butter, according to the tag on her collar, in the backyard and pleads her case with her mom. I too would bring a little goat home if I found one. Marvel is determined to keep Butter.
Back at school, Marvel has more problems. Her multiple “sick days”, trips to the nurse, and her tendency to hide in the bathroom are starting to hurt her grades. She needs to get it together, or she might have to repeat 6th grade.
After spending some time with Butter, Marvel starts to feel better about many things. She is okay with going to school; she has more friends, is taking more chances, and is being more outgoing. It’s great! However, you must remember that she randomly found Butter. And Butter had a collar on; she definitely belongs to someone. How long can Marvel hang on to her new best friend?
Four out of Five Magical Coffee Cups
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