Paper butterflies is a YA contemporary dealing with some hard-hitting issues. June experiences abuse at the hands of her stepmother and stepsister and her life is more or less a living hell. Between teachers who don't listen to her claims of bullying from classmates and a father who fails to see the abuse she's suffering this story is tragic and heartbreaking. It's well-written, told in time jumps but easy to follow and I cried like I was half my actual age. The abuse June suffers was hard for me to read and while I would give it 3 stars based on how little I actually enjoyed its likely more of a 4 star book.
I would not recommend this book for a younger audience, it's quite horrifying but older teens might get something worthwhile from the read.
