Victoria Piontek, author
BETTER WITH BUTTER
A girl with anxiety disorder finds an unlikely friend--and emotional support animal--in the form of an adorable fainting goat.
Twelve-year-old Marvel is afraid of absolutely everything-amusement park rides, food poisoning, earthquakes, and that big island of plastic floating through the ocean. She also obsesses about smaller worries like making friends, getting called on by the teacher, and walking home alone. Her parents and the school therapist call her worries an anxiety disorder, but Marvel calls them armor. If something can happen, it will. She needs to be prepared. But when Marvel stumbles on a group of older kids teasing a baby goat that has mysteriously shown up on the soccer field, she momentarily forgets to be afraid and rescues the frightened animal. Only Butter isn't any old goat. She's a fainting goat. When Butter feels panic, she freezes up and falls over. Marvel knows exactly how Butter feels and precisely what Butter needs-her. Soon, Butter and Marvel are going everywhere together, and Butter thrives under Marvel's support. Butter also helps Marvel. Everything is easier for her with Butter by her side. But just when Marvel starts to imagine a life in which she can manage her anxiety, instead of letting it control her, Butter's owner shows up to claim her. Will Marvel find a way to keep her friend? Or will she revert back to the anxious, lonely person she used to be? |
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Victoria Piontek, BETTER WITH BUTTER
Inspiration behind Better with BUtter
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Growing up, animals were a big part of my life. Both my parents are gentle people who love to rescue broken things and nurse them back to health. There have been dogs, horses, squirrels, birds, pigs, and a very special goat.
At a farmer’s barn, my mom discovered a baby goat malnourished and suffering from mange. She asked if she could buy the goat. The farmer said no. She offered him more money. He said no. She offered even more. He said no again. After a lot of haggling, they finally agreed on a sum & my mom brought home a very expensive, sick baby goat. We named her Jennifer, made her a bed by the fireplace, and started bottle feeding her. While we nursed her back to health and before she got strong enough to live outside like a goat, she lived in our house. Jennifer was bouncy and funny and followed me to the school bus every morning. At the end of the day, she’d be waiting for me. I don’t know how she knew when the bus would drop me off, but she was always there. I’ve always wanted to write a story about a goat and the power of friendship between humans and animals. Better with Butter is that story! It’s also about childhood anxiety, friendship, and emotional support animals. |
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Victoria Piontek, SPIRIT OF CATTAIL COUNTY
THE SPIRIT OF CATTAIL COUNTY
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Sparrow doesn't have many friends. Some kids believe her house near the swamp is haunted. Others think there's something "unusual" about her.
But Sparrow's not lonely—she has a best friend who's always with her. He sits with Sparrow on her porch swing. He makes her smile by playing pranks in church. Yet Sparrow is the only one who can see him . . . because the Boy is a ghost. So when her mama passes away, Sparrow doesn't give up hope. After all, if the Boy can linger after death, then surely Mama can return as well. But the Boy has a secret of his own, one that Sparrow will need to uncover before the ghost will lead her to Mama. To solve the mystery, Sparrow joins forces with some unlikely allies—Maeve and Johnny, siblings from a family of town outcasts—and Elena, a visiting child fortune-teller. With its loving depiction of small-town life, and characters who feel like old friends, this magical debut will enchant you, dazzle you. . . and make you feel at home. |
INSPIRATION BEHIND THE SPIRIT OF CATTAIL COUNTY
Select Reader Reviews
"I saw this book as a recommendation from Amazon for my 11 year old daughter. I ask her to read for 30-60 min each day of summer break. She spent one of the first days of summer break reading this book. She started at 8 am this morning and has not put it down except to get dressed, brush her teeth, etc. She loves it and is on the last pages. She said she loves how unique the main character is. Great buy. The only problem...what to read tomorrow." -Amazon Review, 195117
"This book was such a good read! What a well written book, with wonderful characters and the story line was interesting for kids and parents alike! The books sooty follows Sparrow, who doesn't have many friends because many of the local children think she is odd and that her house is haunted. Which may be true since her best friend is a ghost. Unfortunately Sparrows mama passes away, but she thinks that if she can see the boy and he is a ghost, then surely she would be able to see mama. The wonderful story develops from there and after some twists and turns has a quicker ending than I would have liked, but it finished off the story. Overall, I think this is a great read for kids and adults who want to share a book with their child!" -Amazon Review, MigasPT
"This is a thoroughly engaging book with interesting, believable characters, and a story that keeps you turning the pages. Sparrow sees ghosts, but this isn't a ghost story, it's a story of loss and acceptance and finding your place in the world. Young readers are sure to relate to Sparrow's struggles and cheer her successes. The author tells a story which could be terribly sad but somehow isn't. Even though Sparrow's motivation is based on the loss of her mother, Sparrow herself moves through the novel with a positive, adventurous energy that imbues the story with a sense of optimism even when things seems at their most bleak. Highly recommended!" -Goodreads Review, Carolyn O'Doherty
"I loved it. Sparrow is a very real girl with very real issues, but nothing about her life is boring. The people and places of her community are true Southern characters and I was absolutely transported to Cattail County. As my plane pulled up to the gate, I had about 20 pages left to read, and I have never wanted my flight to be longer ever before! I simply had to finish it the moment I got home." -Goodreads Review, Jane
"This book was such a good read! What a well written book, with wonderful characters and the story line was interesting for kids and parents alike! The books sooty follows Sparrow, who doesn't have many friends because many of the local children think she is odd and that her house is haunted. Which may be true since her best friend is a ghost. Unfortunately Sparrows mama passes away, but she thinks that if she can see the boy and he is a ghost, then surely she would be able to see mama. The wonderful story develops from there and after some twists and turns has a quicker ending than I would have liked, but it finished off the story. Overall, I think this is a great read for kids and adults who want to share a book with their child!" -Amazon Review, MigasPT
"This is a thoroughly engaging book with interesting, believable characters, and a story that keeps you turning the pages. Sparrow sees ghosts, but this isn't a ghost story, it's a story of loss and acceptance and finding your place in the world. Young readers are sure to relate to Sparrow's struggles and cheer her successes. The author tells a story which could be terribly sad but somehow isn't. Even though Sparrow's motivation is based on the loss of her mother, Sparrow herself moves through the novel with a positive, adventurous energy that imbues the story with a sense of optimism even when things seems at their most bleak. Highly recommended!" -Goodreads Review, Carolyn O'Doherty
"I loved it. Sparrow is a very real girl with very real issues, but nothing about her life is boring. The people and places of her community are true Southern characters and I was absolutely transported to Cattail County. As my plane pulled up to the gate, I had about 20 pages left to read, and I have never wanted my flight to be longer ever before! I simply had to finish it the moment I got home." -Goodreads Review, Jane
