As a finalist for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award for his novel Flesh Wounds, Mick Cochrane has reaped praise for his distinct and clean writing style. In his memorable novel The Girl Who Threw Butterflies, Cochrane tells the uplifting tale of eighth-grader Molly Williams, a young girl attempting to cope with the death of her father. "Impeccable syntax lends authenticity to the rocky road that is middle school, baseball practices and games, and to Molly's relationships with her peers and with her mother."-Kirkus Review, starred review
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"While it might be easy to dismiss this as a Dairy Queen, baseball version, this is a very heartfelt book. Many times it struck me as more of a high school mentality, but the main characters are in eighth grade. The heroine, Moll, is deeply grieved over the recent death of her father and her mother's sometimes very withdrawn demeanor. There are several baseball scenes with just the right amount of detail, and the ending was not as cliched as I anticipated."
— Susie (4 out of 5 stars)
" So many children have different hardships that create unique family structures. Molly (the best name to give a character even spelled incorrectly) followed her heart and became comfortable with who she is. No wonder all these novels were nominated for the Rebecca Caudill award. I am enjoying each one. "
— Malee, 2/20/2014" This is a good book for sports lovers. Molly has perfected a killer knuckleball, something her father worked with her on before he died. Now she is trying out for the schools baseball team, while grieving for her father. Nice comparisons of baseball to life. This is a great coming-of-age story. "
— Logan, 2/18/2014" The fall of her eighth grade year, Molly's father dies in a car accident. Molly was always a daddy's girl, and now that it's just her and her mom, things are difficult. One of the loves that Molly and her dad shared was baseball. So kind of in his honor, and also because she just isn't a fan of softball, Molly decides to go out for the boy's baseball team that spring. Her dad taught her how to throw a knuckleball when she was little, and that becomes her secret weapon. Some of the boys aren't so thrilled to have a girl on the team - especially a girl who can hold her own - but Molly is determined to stick it out. A good sports story. "
— Susan, 2/16/2014" Beautiful, carefully-crafted characters and highly entertaining sports drama combine to make this a book that will really speak to readers. The plot might not break new ground, but the author's voice is so sincere and thoughtful, it can't fail to touch you. "
— Katherine, 1/10/2014" This was a book to be savored from the first page to the last. The baseball references are wonderful and the character development is very well done. Molly's thoughts and actions ring true throughout the book. "
— Anita, 1/6/2014" Nice, quite believable. A great one for my juvenile 2013 shelf. "
— Jean, 1/4/2014" This is a realistic fiction book. Molly can throw the best knuckleball and is trying out for the boy's baseball team. I loved this book because it's exciting and fantastic. And there is a great mixture of emotions and feelings. "
— Dondero, 12/30/2013" Empowering for girls, middle grades. "
— Peggy, 12/12/2013" What a sweet story about a girl who looses her dad and how she misses playing catch with him. She ends up on her jr. high baseball team and all struggles with others attitudes. "
— 'Chele, 2/8/2012" Molly has perfected a killer knuckleball, something her father worked with her on before he died. Now she is trying out for the schools baseball team, while grieving for her father. Nice comparisons of baseball to life. A sweet story but nothing more. "
— Kristen, 1/8/2012" A great story about loss and renewal, baseball and my hometown. Mick scores another home run! "
— Scott, 12/8/2011" I really enjoyed this book. I am not really a sports fan, but I guess you could say baseball would be my favorite sport. The interpersonal struggle here kept me turning pages to see how she would resolve the struggles. "
— Sandy, 11/26/2011" Nice, light story. It is a good YA read, with just enough depth to keep it from being trite. "
— Nancy, 9/4/2011" Molly and her dad used to watch baseball together and play catch in the backyard. Now he's gone, and Molly is lost. The knuckleball he taught her to throw might just be her ticket to joining the boy's baseball team at school, though. "
— Pattyb, 8/17/2011" It was very relateble to me. I lost my dad too ;w; "
— Diana, 7/26/2011" Listened to this on audio. Liked the story, but did not care for the narrator. "
— Joanne, 5/9/2011" A "feel good" book. I read about baseball before reading the book and hence the book was more enjoyable... informative on baseball. An entertaining read "
— Shobha, 4/6/2011" You don't have to like or understand baseball to appreciate this great novel. "
— Joan, 3/6/2011" A good sports story with a really clearly drawn female main character that I will recommend to kids who are almost ready for Sarah Dessen. "
— Kristen, 3/5/2011" a short, great story about a girl dealing with the death of her father, her come-of-age struggles and her love of baseball. this book would be a good way for boys to read about the inner workings of girls. "
— Alisa, 11/27/2010" I really enjoyed Molly! Her strength and determination was what really drew me to her. The only part that was disagreeable was the dogging of softball during the story. "
— Dawn, 11/8/2010" Read it for work. It had all the elements of a good story, but it didn't do much for me. "
— Connie, 11/6/2010" At one point late in the book I was upset about what unfolded, emotion was heightened. I guess that is a sign that I was compelled by the plot. Good book for girls to help confirm that they can do anything boys can do. "
— Kyle, 10/18/2010Maria Cabezas has lent her considerable talents to literary works by some of the world’s top authors including Andrea Beaty, Frances O’Roark Dowell and Isabel Allende and titles including The Girl Who Threw Butterflies, Drizzle and The Second Life of Abigail Walker to name a few.