The Things With Wings

by Greg Holch

Every year the Emerald Rainbow butterflies return to Angel Falls, and children disappear. Newton and Vanessa want to know why. When they discover the secret -- that they can become butterflies -- they face an awesome decision.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Fiction

227 pages, Library Binding

First published May 1, 1999

About the author

Hi. My name is Gregory J. Holch, but most people call me Greg. I am a children's book author, editor, and recent library school graduate in New York City, specializing in books for readers in middle school.

As an author, I wrote the children's fantasy novel, The Things with Wings. As an editor, I managed Scholastic's Teen Age Book Club (TAB) for many years and edited more than 300 books. I have just finished working on a Master of Science Degree in Library and Information Science at the Palmer School in New York City (part of LIU/Post), and I am now a librarian at a branch of the New York Public Library.

Reviews

[Sha]

06 April, 2022

1. I read this book about two decades ago, at least. I borrowed it from a friend and never saw another copy of it once I returned it and she moved away. It is still somehow part of the canon of book I remember, which is ENORMOUS staying power because I read it ONCE. Experience tells me older me would probably find some of the elements less well-executed, but I can't say for sure because (sigh) I don't have the book and importing it would be too costly.

2. So anyway. Most of what I remember are disconnected little facts. Actual facts about Monarch butterflies. The cake the love interest/main female lead made (which made me drool back then because green was my favorite color and it was chocolate inside), the horror in the scene of the cocoon discovery, the way even younger and less jaded me rolled by eyes at the 'angel falls' thing (also, I was really confused because there was a waterfall already with that name and I was firmly convinced back then that every geographical thing had ONE name that was not used by any other geographical thing which is hilarious bc it hasn't been true since alexander the i-won't-call-him-great-for-reasons) and the GREEN WINGS. Pretty.

3. This was actually one of those stories where the MC was a spectator more than an actor, huh? At least I remember Vanessa carrying most of the plot herself and the narrator being the audience stand-in.

4. FOLKS. I remember the NAME of the character from a book I read two decades ago. I usually can't remember the name of the character I read about a week ago. It's still too expensive but by god I really want to read it again to find out why.

[Sarah Leanne Maurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good good book. I like when Vanessa and all the other kids could fly and Newton was hanging onto the swing. I thought it was funny. I asked my mom if she could read it again but she said no and now I'm sad.
- Matilda age 9

[Maryam.Nh · Rating 4 out of 5]

“و عشق
تنها عشق
تو را به گرمی یک سیب می‌کند مانوس
و عشق
تنها عشق
مرا به وسعت اندوه زندگی‌ها برد”
………
یه بازآفرینی از داستان هبوط. نیوتن، شخصیت اصلی کتابه که اسمش بی‌ربط به نیوتن و قانون جاذبه هم نیست. چون اینجا هم یه سیب می‌خوره تو سرش و داستان ادامه پیدا می‌کنه. ونسا دوست نیوتن و همون نمود شخصیت حواست. نیوتن می‌ترسه از تجربه کردن اما شخصیت زن داستان (ونسا)، بهش شجاعت حرکت و رویارویی با ترس‌هاش رو می‌ده. مثل اسم کتاب، ما اینجا با مرحله گذار روبه‌روییم. گذار از کودکی به بزرگسالی. آیین گذار یا تشرف که تو اساطیر هم داریمش. رویای پروانه شدن و پشت سر گذاشتن کرمِ کودکی و از پیله نوجوانی دراومدن و تبدیل به پروانه بزرگسال شدن. حالا اینکه تو این مسیر چه اتفاق‌هایی می‌افته رو من نمی‌گم دیگه. لطفش به خوندن کتابه و رمزگشایی. فقط دوست دارم بگم کتاب‌ و ادبیات کودک و نوجوان رو دست کم نگیرید. به‌نظرم مشکل همینه و هر بزرگسالی باید برگرده یکم عقب‌تر و دوباره بخونه چیزهایی که تو سن کم نخونده. تجربه کنه و نترسه از تجربه کردن. شاید معنا اصلا همین‌جا باشه.

[Hannah Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful children's book. I love the message in it - how books can help us fly. Had I read this as an elementary or middle schooler, I know it would've been a favorite of mine.

[Keshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was in 7th grade. It was just a random book I picked off my reading teacher's shelf. But it became so much more than that. It became a book that's stuck with me for such a long time. I absolutely loved it. The adventure, friendship, sci-fi. Everything. Years passed and I kept thinking "I would really like to read that book again." Except I couldn't remember the name. Just that it was the Butterfly book. After an internet search (thanks Google) I found this book in my possession once again. And once again, I loved everything about it. It took me right back to the first time I read it. I love books that do that. So glad I got the chance to read it again!

[BookLover Jayasri · Rating 4 out of 5]

It reminded me of the Famous Five, and I know I should have read it by the age of 12, but i enjoyed it nevertheless!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this book in the 4th grade off a friends recommendation. I loved it! I remember certain scenes just as vividly as when I first read the book. It always stayed with me and I’m not sure why. It’s by no means an amazing book and after finding it on eBay and reading it again as an adult I was shocked at how different my perspective of it was. It wasn’t all that great… but then I realized it was a children’s book written for a child’s perspective and that’s what truly works with this book. It didn’t have to be something absolutely amazing so long as it was a working story that successfully gives kids the ability to bring it to life in their minds. For what it is…it’s a great children’s story!

[Catherine Hulbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some children’s books that you come across when you’re older, and upon a re-reading, you’re baffled. Why did I love this so much? But The Thing with Wings only enchants more upon the return journey. Puns, goofy and/or ingenious…sly winks to ancient Greek myths…the rightness of an apple bonking a “Newton”…and the literal devouring of literature. It’s been nearly a generation since The Thing with Wings was published, and the book ends with seeds promised to be planted. Wouldn’t it be great to soar away on a sequel?

[Leah]

I have been looking for the name of this book for YEARS. I read this book in elementary school and it has stuck with me ever since- like stuck with me. Like it was actually driving me insane that I couldn’t remember the book about “kids turning into butterflies.”

But here we are!!! Now I have to grab a copy and reread this book to see what the fuss was about (when I was a preteen) that has me coming back at age 32.

[Kei Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been Looking for the name of this Book for yearsssssss I read it twice in 5th grade and it has stayed in the back of my mind as one of the most intresing books i ever read when i was young. I plan on buying a copy to re read now in my adulthood because i just love the story so much. Please give this book a read you guys!!!!!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying this was one of my FAVORITE books as a kid, but this is my first time reading it as an adult. I'm disappointed to say that it wasn't as magical as I remember it being, but I did enjoy it nonetheless.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually pretty ok. Sure, some of the story elements are very familiar, but tropes aren't always bad.

[Caitlin D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in middle school, and I remember it being on of the first books I really enjoyed. I definitely need to reread now that I'm older.

[gigi]

for some reason this is one of those odd books from childhood that i forever remember. every now and then i recall newton bellnap… but nothing of the story itself. i’d like to revisit this one.

[Nicolette Beebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first chapter book I ever read! And I still think about it today. I don’t remember what it was about, just that it made me feel accomplished and warm. I also remember it had such a cool ending!

[Cyra “firefly” · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I ever read. Helped me fall in love with books.

[Alyssa Skinner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very, very weird.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going through old school work and found a book report on my favourite book when I was 10 - back in 2001!

Mispellings included!


“The things with wings is about Newton and Vanessa. They both find out about why butterflys come to Angel falls and Newton finds out that the man in the black hat is Vanessa’s father. But you think thats all they also find out that everyone in there school is turning into a butterfly even Vanessa. I enjoyed reading it because it's fantasy and it's about butterflys wich I love and the way they make it it's so good I wich It was a movie. I also enjoyed reading it because it had so many things to read and it's all adventure. I think if anybody that likes butterflys should read this nonstop adventure book. I think this is the greatest chapter book I ever read in my life. Another thing that I liked about the book is that is fantasy, funny, sad, happy, and suprising. But what I like it's not boring it doesn't tell you "Hey this is boring" "No" "It's not". Its all funny. Go ahead and check it out. Only if you like butterflys! 

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing. While I don't remember the whole thing I do know I'd love to read it again. The last time I read it was in 3rd grade and I remember hanging on to every word. The following years after I always tired to look for it online but never used the right words to find it. Once I found goodreads I asked around for it and it was the 2nd book someone mentioned. I am going out tomorrow to buy the book again. I'm so happy I finally found the book I would occasionally thinking about for years after I first heard the story.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Things With Wings is a really good book! Even though it is fiction it makes your imagination go wild. The different scenes are amazing and you can picture every line in your head. This is a book that I would recommend to girls only because its girly and involves butterflies so I'm pretty sure that boys would not like it. I abbsolutly loved this book and I hope you read it too.

TO FIND OUT MORE READ THE BOOK!


written by: Christina Lefebvre

[Jenny Michalak · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter chose this book originally and loved it. I picked it up thinking that I would enjoy it also. Holch's book stands out as a classic. While using butterflies as a metaphor, Holch tells the story of town that relies on the annual butterfly migration for its economy. The book is so much more though taking the reader through a tumultuous time in several pre-teens' lives. No matter whether a person likes science fiction or drama, this book captures the imagination and hearts of readers.

[j mansouri]

صدایی از پشت سرش گفت : میتونم کمکتون کنم ؟
نیوتن برگشت و گفت :می خواهم یک کتاب در باره پروانه ها پیدا کنم...میخواست باز هم حرف بزند اما یک دفعه ساکت شد. رو به رویش همان مردی ایستاده بود که کلاه سیاه به سر داشت.نیوتن با خود فکر کرد انگاراین مرد همه جا هست.مثل ان غولی که در فیلم ادیسه ی فضایی 2001 بود

[Alexandra]

It was dissapointing that there wasn't an expected 'happy' ending. Although, everything made me wasnt to read more after I got past the blockade at, like, chapter 3...

A must read if you are searching for a good book.

[Jaimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I girl and a friend who found a magical garden, in the middle was a peach tree, she took a bite and after a few days she turned into a Caterpillar then to a butterfly, so did her whole school, but her friend didn't.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a good book but in my perspective it had a sad ending

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for you if you like wierd things happening, mysteries, friends,and BUTTERFLIES! This book kinda strange but, really exciting!!!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favories! Read it to my 3rd grades year after year.

[Allebasi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I think it is a great book. I highly recomend it for 7 to 12 year old kids.

[Nicole Prentice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite book when I was in elementary school. It is cute and I liked how headstrong the main characters are

[Ayla Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a couple years ago, then I loved it! Now I can't remember much, but I remember the feelings I got. Excitement and Happiness. It was amazingly written book!