The Butterfly

Last updated Tuesday, December 17, 2002

Author: Patricia Polacco
Illustrator: Patricia Polacco
Date of Publication: 2000
ISBN: 0399231706
Grade Level: 5th Grade
Date(s) Used: Jan. 2003

Synopsis: Lying in bed one moonlit night, Monique awakens to see what she thinks is a little ghost sitting at the foot of her bed, petting her cat. In the time that her French village has been occupied by Nazi troops, Monique has come to believe that nothing can surprise her anymore. But when she discovers that the little ghost is in fact a Jewish girl named Sevrine, who is living in a hidden room in Monique's own basement, she is very surprised indeed!

Craft ideas:

• Add to the story by writing about what a reunion between Sevrine & Monique would be like.
• Create a butterfly mobile to simulate the last scene in the story. On the butterflies, write adjectives that describe Sevrine, Monique, and Monique’s mother.
• Tell the story from Sevrine’s point of view.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don’t have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!