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A Summer of Silk Moths
People can't always tell everything. Sometimes they have to leave things out so that they can recover. Start over. So that people will still be able to love them. Seventeen-year-old Pete Shelton's life revolves around helping his friend Abe McMichael build Riverside, a nature preserve dedicated to the memory of Abe's brother, Paul. Then one summer a troubled runaway shows up―a girl named Nora who claims to be Paul's daughter. All her life, Nora has lived with secrets and lies, never knowing anything about her father. Although enemies at first, Pete and Nora slowly begin to piece together their shadowy pasts . . . and discover that their lives intertwine in a way they never imagined. " A Summer of Silk Moths gives us the bewilderment and wonderment that real growth always brings, in a setting as fresh and tender as a new green leaf."
―Kathe Koja, bestselling author of Buddha Boy "A thoughtful, complex and moving story about loss and discovery of identity, love and the ability to change and the restorative powers of nature."
― Kirkus Reviews An Honor Book for the 2010 Green Earth Book Awards in the category of Young Adult Fiction.
―Kathe Koja, bestselling author of Buddha Boy "A thoughtful, complex and moving story about loss and discovery of identity, love and the ability to change and the restorative powers of nature."
― Kirkus Reviews An Honor Book for the 2010 Green Earth Book Awards in the category of Young Adult Fiction.
- GenresYoung AdultContemporary
246 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Willey
18 books17 followersI am the author of 9 Young Adult novels, 6 picture books & more on the way in both genres. I have also published reviews, essays and poetry. My best known books are the CLEVER BEATRICE picture books, for which I received many awards and prizes, including the CCBC Charlotte Zolotow award for best writing in a picture book. Recently, I was given the Gwen Frostic Award by the Michigan Reading Association for my contributions to literacy in my home state of Michigan. I have two grown children and live in Grand Haven with my husband Richard Joanisse.
I am the author of FOUR SECRETS,a book about the aftermath of a school bullying incident with graphic novel-inspired illustrations by Bill Hauser.
I am currently promoting my new title with Carolrhoda Lab, BEETLE BOY, about a different kind of bullying, the parental kind, and one boy's long journey out of childhood to escape it. Kirkus called the book "Disturbing and riveting" in a starred review. Starred review Publishers Weekly. Cited as a book of week for Sept 1 from PW.
I am the author of FOUR SECRETS,a book about the aftermath of a school bullying incident with graphic novel-inspired illustrations by Bill Hauser.
I am currently promoting my new title with Carolrhoda Lab, BEETLE BOY, about a different kind of bullying, the parental kind, and one boy's long journey out of childhood to escape it. Kirkus called the book "Disturbing and riveting" in a starred review. Starred review Publishers Weekly. Cited as a book of week for Sept 1 from PW.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 24, 2018
I really enjoyed reading and thinking about Margaret Willey’s YA book: A Summer of Silk Moths.
Life is a complicated journey. This story reflects: loss, confusion, discord, family truths/untruths/unknowns as well as caring, focused energy and growth. Pete, and Nora, both high schoolers, are the main characters among many other equally authentically believable individuals covering three generations. Many, and certainly the teenagers, are finding their way - in developing an understanding about others and self as well as with the past.
With these engaged characters, Willey crafts thought provoking, realistic journeys. The story is influenced by the pace of nature. With specific focus on metamorphosis: Both with insects and humans. Moths and the potentially multiple metaphors they elicit, are woven into this literary work of art. I found the young people’s growing in their awareness and insights and thus, in part embracing, the natural energy of life’s many transitions - as metamorphic.
I appreciate that the tempo and structure of the story leads you to and through the characters’ lives with genuine frustrations, forgiveness, love, misunderstandings, riskiness, and acceptance. Not in a neatly wrapped package. More authentic - real world.
A Summer of Silk Moths by Margaret Willey, originally published in 2009 by Flux, A Division of Llewellyn Worldwide and republished by Reclamation Press, in 2018 is a read rich in believable intriguing characters living out the entanglements of the past to create new possibilities for the future.
Other favorite books of mine that Willey authored include: The Bigger Book of Lydia (1983), Four Secrets (2012), The Melinda Zone (1993), and Saving Lenny (1990). All of these works legitimately present YA topics in an artful, accessible, richly human and memorable fashion. If you like A Summer of Silk Moths you may want to check out the above titles.
Life is a complicated journey. This story reflects: loss, confusion, discord, family truths/untruths/unknowns as well as caring, focused energy and growth. Pete, and Nora, both high schoolers, are the main characters among many other equally authentically believable individuals covering three generations. Many, and certainly the teenagers, are finding their way - in developing an understanding about others and self as well as with the past.
With these engaged characters, Willey crafts thought provoking, realistic journeys. The story is influenced by the pace of nature. With specific focus on metamorphosis: Both with insects and humans. Moths and the potentially multiple metaphors they elicit, are woven into this literary work of art. I found the young people’s growing in their awareness and insights and thus, in part embracing, the natural energy of life’s many transitions - as metamorphic.
I appreciate that the tempo and structure of the story leads you to and through the characters’ lives with genuine frustrations, forgiveness, love, misunderstandings, riskiness, and acceptance. Not in a neatly wrapped package. More authentic - real world.
A Summer of Silk Moths by Margaret Willey, originally published in 2009 by Flux, A Division of Llewellyn Worldwide and republished by Reclamation Press, in 2018 is a read rich in believable intriguing characters living out the entanglements of the past to create new possibilities for the future.
Other favorite books of mine that Willey authored include: The Bigger Book of Lydia (1983), Four Secrets (2012), The Melinda Zone (1993), and Saving Lenny (1990). All of these works legitimately present YA topics in an artful, accessible, richly human and memorable fashion. If you like A Summer of Silk Moths you may want to check out the above titles.
October 13, 2021
Such a wonderful story and setting. I loved this book and highly recommend it.
August 2, 2024
a must-read for every summer🤍
May 5, 2010
A Summer of Silk Moths is an earthy, emotional story as delicate and complicated as moths themselves.
Lightly based on the well known novel, Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter, Willey's retelling of the story was just as fresh and fascinating with a present-day appeal. The narrative storyline through Pete's eyes was very detailed and full of emotion. Willey first wrote A Summer of the Silk Moths with Nora as the narrator, but Nora's character was too rough, almost angry. Pete was observant and sensitive making the story come to life in the forest marshes of Michigan. You could even smell the damp forest or hear the moth's beating wings. I think what made this book cling to me long after the final page was the vibrant scenery and the hidden secrets that surrounded the heart of this novel. All the characters have such a strong emotional attachment to the overall development of the story, it was very easy to connect with Pete and Nora. Pete and Nora were both sensitive characters. They constantly fed off of each other's emotions making the story more complex as it went along. Willey compares life to moths--which were an important part of the story--because they are extremely intricate, misunderstood, and elusive. As the book digs even deeper and despite all the lies, anger, and hurt, both Nora and Pete have experienced, they must learn to forgive, love, and move on. I was almost heart broken to find that Pete and Nora's future was left unfinished; but I guess what? Willey is writing a sequel as I speak, and I can hardly wait to read it!
Overall, A Summer of Silk Moths is an wondrously fresh, touching story of two teens drowning in a river of secrets. The moths will help them, but will they be able to survive the truth? I highly recommend this book to fans of Portor's ageless novel and those who like a good drama moths or no moths!
|Age Group: YA, ages 14+|
|Content: Dramatic family situation and some sensuality|
|Recommend?| Yes, for teens 14+
Lightly based on the well known novel, Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter, Willey's retelling of the story was just as fresh and fascinating with a present-day appeal. The narrative storyline through Pete's eyes was very detailed and full of emotion. Willey first wrote A Summer of the Silk Moths with Nora as the narrator, but Nora's character was too rough, almost angry. Pete was observant and sensitive making the story come to life in the forest marshes of Michigan. You could even smell the damp forest or hear the moth's beating wings. I think what made this book cling to me long after the final page was the vibrant scenery and the hidden secrets that surrounded the heart of this novel. All the characters have such a strong emotional attachment to the overall development of the story, it was very easy to connect with Pete and Nora. Pete and Nora were both sensitive characters. They constantly fed off of each other's emotions making the story more complex as it went along. Willey compares life to moths--which were an important part of the story--because they are extremely intricate, misunderstood, and elusive. As the book digs even deeper and despite all the lies, anger, and hurt, both Nora and Pete have experienced, they must learn to forgive, love, and move on. I was almost heart broken to find that Pete and Nora's future was left unfinished; but I guess what? Willey is writing a sequel as I speak, and I can hardly wait to read it!
Overall, A Summer of Silk Moths is an wondrously fresh, touching story of two teens drowning in a river of secrets. The moths will help them, but will they be able to survive the truth? I highly recommend this book to fans of Portor's ageless novel and those who like a good drama moths or no moths!
|Age Group: YA, ages 14+|
|Content: Dramatic family situation and some sensuality|
|Recommend?| Yes, for teens 14+
June 4, 2010
Seventeen-year-old Pete enjoys his predictable life. It's summer and he's helping his friend Abe at the nature preserve. Enter Nora, Abe's long lost niece. This girl has serious problems. She and Pete don't get along at all. Moths, secrets, and animosity make for an interesting summer in Michigan.
What I thought: I can appreciate Willey's love for Gene Stratton Porter's A Girl of the Limberlost. In high school, it was one of my favorites as well. Distinct similarities exist between it and this tribute--secrets, love of nature, and coming of age. I like that Pete is our narrator. If I'm not mistaken A Girl of the Limberlost was third-person narration. (On a side note, there are entirely too many female narrated books out there. Hearing from a guy is always refreshing.) Pete as narrator ranks right up there with Tyler in Laurie Halse Anderson's Twisted and Ethan in Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl's Beautiful Creatures. The book reminded me a bit of Melina Marchetta's Jellicoe Road only less complicated and easier to understand. To deal with the present, you have to resolve the past. In short, I liked A Summer of Silk Moths. I wouldn't mind reading other books by Margaret Willey.
What I thought: I can appreciate Willey's love for Gene Stratton Porter's A Girl of the Limberlost. In high school, it was one of my favorites as well. Distinct similarities exist between it and this tribute--secrets, love of nature, and coming of age. I like that Pete is our narrator. If I'm not mistaken A Girl of the Limberlost was third-person narration. (On a side note, there are entirely too many female narrated books out there. Hearing from a guy is always refreshing.) Pete as narrator ranks right up there with Tyler in Laurie Halse Anderson's Twisted and Ethan in Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl's Beautiful Creatures. The book reminded me a bit of Melina Marchetta's Jellicoe Road only less complicated and easier to understand. To deal with the present, you have to resolve the past. In short, I liked A Summer of Silk Moths. I wouldn't mind reading other books by Margaret Willey.
December 12, 2009
I'm a big fan of Clever Beatrice, but I'm happy to see that Willey is continuing to write for young adults. As a native of Western Michigan, the setting definitely appealed to me. I loved the moth imagery, and the evocation of the natural world. The characters and their dilemmas were complex, modern and believable.
This is a wonderful book that should appeal to many readers!
This is a wonderful book that should appeal to many readers!
July 6, 2015
Slow and sweet, this is definitely your "old school" YA. I loved the details of Southwest Michigan, near and dear to my heart. I never heard of using oars on a canoe, but I googled it, and apparently it is a thing, though I've only ever used paddles. Whew! Things like that can throw off the whole reading experience! ;-)
January 22, 2016
This book is great. I liked Pete, but I'm still not sure about poor Nora. I loved the names and location. I wish that I had read Gene Stratton Porter's Girl of the Limberlost much more recently. (I am going to read it next for sure.) There are multiple annoying editing errors in this book.
July 20, 2011
just started!
October 24, 2015
I really loved this book! I related to Nora and her personality and that's why I felt so connected to her and her life!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews