What do you think?
Rate this book
The Maps of Memory: Return to Butterfly Hill
In this inspiring sequel to the Pura Belpré Award–winning, “dazzling and insightful� ( BCCB ) I Lived on Butterfly Hill , thirteen-year-old Celeste Marconi returns home to a very different Chile and makes it her mission to rebuild her community, and find those who are still missing.
During Celeste Marconi’s time in Maine, thoughts of the brightly colored cafes and salty air of Valparaíso, Chile, carried her through difficult, homesick days. Now, she’s finally returned home to find the dictatorship has left its mark on her once beautiful and vibrant community.
Celeste is determined to help her beloved Butterfly Hill get back to the way it was and to encourage her neighbors to fight to regain what they’ve lost. More than anything, Celeste wishes she could bring back her best friend, Lucilla, who was one of many to disappear during the dictatorship. Celeste tries to piece together what happened, but it all seems too big to fix—until she receives a letter that changes everything.
When Celeste sets off on her biggest adventure yet, she’ll uncover more heartbreaking truths of what her country has endured. But every small victory makes a difference, and even if Butterfly Hill can never be what it was, moving forward and healing can make it something even better.
During Celeste Marconi’s time in Maine, thoughts of the brightly colored cafes and salty air of Valparaíso, Chile, carried her through difficult, homesick days. Now, she’s finally returned home to find the dictatorship has left its mark on her once beautiful and vibrant community.
Celeste is determined to help her beloved Butterfly Hill get back to the way it was and to encourage her neighbors to fight to regain what they’ve lost. More than anything, Celeste wishes she could bring back her best friend, Lucilla, who was one of many to disappear during the dictatorship. Celeste tries to piece together what happened, but it all seems too big to fix—until she receives a letter that changes everything.
When Celeste sets off on her biggest adventure yet, she’ll uncover more heartbreaking truths of what her country has endured. But every small victory makes a difference, and even if Butterfly Hill can never be what it was, moving forward and healing can make it something even better.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 22, 2020
12 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Marjorie Agosín
118books75followersMarjorie Agosín was born in Maryland and raised in Chile. She and her parents, Moises and Frida Agosín, moved to the United States due to the overthrow of the Chilean government by General Pinochet's military coup. Coming from a South American country and being Jewish, Agosín's writings demonstrate a unique blending of these cultures.
Agosín is well known as a poet, critic, and human activist. She is also a well-known spokesperson for the plight and priorities of women in Third World countries. Her deep social concerns and accomplishments have earned her many awards and recognitions, and she has gained an international reputation among contemporary women of color.
Agosín, a passionate writer, has received critical acclaim for her poetry collections, her close reflections on her parents and family, and her multi-layered stories. Within every novel, story, or poem, she captures the very essence of Jewish women at their best. Agosín's works reveal the experiences of pain and anguish of Jewish refugees. She writes about the Holocaust as well as anti-Semitic events that occurred in her native land.
Agosín has many fascinating works and is recognized in both North and South America as one of the most versatile and provocative Latin American writers. Agosín became a writer to make a difference: "I wanted to change the world through peace and beauty," she said. Today she is not only a writer, but also a Spanish professor at Wellesley College.
Agosín is well known as a poet, critic, and human activist. She is also a well-known spokesperson for the plight and priorities of women in Third World countries. Her deep social concerns and accomplishments have earned her many awards and recognitions, and she has gained an international reputation among contemporary women of color.
Agosín, a passionate writer, has received critical acclaim for her poetry collections, her close reflections on her parents and family, and her multi-layered stories. Within every novel, story, or poem, she captures the very essence of Jewish women at their best. Agosín's works reveal the experiences of pain and anguish of Jewish refugees. She writes about the Holocaust as well as anti-Semitic events that occurred in her native land.
Agosín has many fascinating works and is recognized in both North and South America as one of the most versatile and provocative Latin American writers. Agosín became a writer to make a difference: "I wanted to change the world through peace and beauty," she said. Today she is not only a writer, but also a Spanish professor at Wellesley College.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 21, 2023
This is the sequel to I Lived On Butterfly Hill and explores Celeste Marconi’s return and the repercussions of the dictator’s reign.
"I just want to return to normal."
We’ve all spoken those words during the recent pandemic.
For Celeste, things can’t return to normal any time soon because her bestie, Lucila, is one of the ‘disappeared� ones. Compounding her anxiety, is the knowledge that her mother and neighbours faced torture under Pinochet’s rule. Still missing, among countless others, are her school friends and her Papa. Celeste becomes guilt-ridden, full of anger and this fuels her determination to do something - anything.
I loved how her decision to make a difference included a literacy program for the poor people in her neighbourhood. Solidifying my opinion of Celeste, I read about a school assignment where Celeste interviews those whose loved ones have disappeared and creates a wonderful way to keep their memories alive.
The references to Chilean culture, food, pelicans and donkeys added to my love of this book.
Agosin explores memory, forgiveness, growth and community in this wonderful sequel that begs another. I appreciated that the author highlighted that real life doesn’t have Disney endings, we don’t always live happily ever after. For Celeste, the dictator is gone, but there’s plenty of trauma left in his wake. This would be a great book to discuss coping mechanisms and what we do when things don’t work out the way we imagined them.
I love vacation reads that are set in locations I’m visiting. This one was all the more special because I could see and understand Valparaiso. I’ll admit to thinking about Celeste and her family while riding the cablecar up the hill.
"I just want to return to normal."
We’ve all spoken those words during the recent pandemic.
For Celeste, things can’t return to normal any time soon because her bestie, Lucila, is one of the ‘disappeared� ones. Compounding her anxiety, is the knowledge that her mother and neighbours faced torture under Pinochet’s rule. Still missing, among countless others, are her school friends and her Papa. Celeste becomes guilt-ridden, full of anger and this fuels her determination to do something - anything.
I loved how her decision to make a difference included a literacy program for the poor people in her neighbourhood. Solidifying my opinion of Celeste, I read about a school assignment where Celeste interviews those whose loved ones have disappeared and creates a wonderful way to keep their memories alive.
The references to Chilean culture, food, pelicans and donkeys added to my love of this book.
Agosin explores memory, forgiveness, growth and community in this wonderful sequel that begs another. I appreciated that the author highlighted that real life doesn’t have Disney endings, we don’t always live happily ever after. For Celeste, the dictator is gone, but there’s plenty of trauma left in his wake. This would be a great book to discuss coping mechanisms and what we do when things don’t work out the way we imagined them.
I love vacation reads that are set in locations I’m visiting. This one was all the more special because I could see and understand Valparaiso. I’ll admit to thinking about Celeste and her family while riding the cablecar up the hill.
September 26, 2020
I am hoping that Miss Marjorie writes a third installment. I have gleaned such joy from these books! Chile, the birthplace of Pablo Neruda, could be nothing but an enchanted country. It is narrow geographically but vast culturally. Whenever I look at the map of South America, it appears that Chile is composed of what Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru didn't desire.
I won't spoil the novel for prospective readers but this story uplifts and sweetens. Un libro dotado!
I won't spoil the novel for prospective readers but this story uplifts and sweetens. Un libro dotado!
December 24, 2020
A beautiful sequel!
December 16, 2022
This moving and articulate sequel to the Pura Belpre winner "I lived on Butterfly Hill" explores forgiveness, memory and change, through the eyes of a young girl and her community. However it is not without flaws.
A year has passed since Celeste Marconi returned to her beloved home on Butterfly Hill in the city of Valparaiso, Chile. Her community, after 3 years of tyranny under the General, is far from whole again; disappeared citizens have not returned, people are fearful of a new regime taking hold, and the poor of Valparaiso are barely surviving after a devastating fire. Celeste finds she can no longer ignore these problems, when her mother Esmeralda reveals she was a prisoner on "the Esmeralda", a naval ship used by the dictatorship for torture and assassination. With her classmates and friends, she begins researching the lives of disappeared students, creating maps of memory based on their favorite spots in Valparaiso. One of these students is Natalia Paz, whose brother Sebastian is convinced she is dead. When they receive a mysterious letter, Celeste and Esmeralda embark on a search to the island of Chiloe, for Lucila and Natalia, to bring them back home to Valparaiso.
The novel is very different from its predecessor. The author uses little imagery or figurative language in the narration. Her characters are also more complex; Celeste can be impulsive and Esmeralda snappy. The author has also removed the magic present in "I lived on Butterfly Hill", and there are very few supernatural events, which drove the action in the original book. One could argue that the tone is more appropriate for this story, which follows a community's long recovery after years of abuse. However, it marks a break from the style and characterization of "I lived on Butterfly Hill", which leads to narrative inconsistency.
The main theme is forgiveness. The characters in "The Maps of Memory" harbor resentment and trauma. Celeste, for example, blames her parents for sending her to Maine alone; they decided to risk their lives and stay in Chile, instead of coming with her. Celeste's abuela warns her that a grudge can eat Celeste up and turn her into what she hates most. . Even the nation of Chile is resentful; neighbors are still suspicious of each other and the government. Many disappeared citizens remain in hiding out of fear. The novel implies that resentment destroys lives, families and communities as it examines the impact of resentment on citizens of Valparaiso. Celeste and Esmeralda, for example, distance themselves from each other, and it is only when they reconcile, are they able to take action and work for their community.
The next theme is action and change. Celeste and her friends begin a literacy program for the poor of Butterfly Hill. They attend rallies in support of the disappeared. Esmeralda reopens her clinic for the poor, despite the persecution she faced for it, under the regime. But Celeste realizes that ignored problems will never be eradicated and she must face the truth in order to fight the lies of the regime. Being a victim does no one any good. This is a poignant lesson that many readers can relate to; all countries have had to recover from these kinds of blows. The famous cry "silence is violence" can be seen in "The Maps of Memory", when Celeste and her friends pour themselves into their work as a way to deny the previous regime power over their lives.
The last theme is right there in the title: memory. Celeste's history teacher challenges the students to examine the history of the regime, by researching a disappeared student, five neighbors, and by writing their own story of the regime. He explains that Chile cannot forget its past, or she will repeat the same mistakes in the future. Valparaiso is reluctant to share their experiences. Celeste's mother is silent for months on her torture. Celeste retreats to her bedroom to brood over her exile. Her friend Cristobal never talks about his life under the General while Celeste was in exile. But what "The Maps of Memory" aims to show, is that remembering, while painful, can reap the most beautiful rewards. For example, Sebastian is reluctant to help Celeste look for Natalia, as he doesn't want to be disappointed once again. .
However, "The Maps of Memory" is not perfect. As aforementioned, the book is not comparable to its prequel, "I lived on Butterfly Hill". One disconcerting change, is that Celeste's own trauma is downplayed in this novel. At the start of the novel, Celeste has become depressed, spending her days locked up in her room, and snapping at the smallest things. Her family and friends blame this one egoism and Celeste agrees with them and tries to change. However we must remember, Celeste spent difficult years in the United States, facing culture shock, racism, and the ever-present fear that her parents had not survived. The implication the novel makes is that Celeste was "luckier" than her peers. This is problematic, as the target audience of "The Maps of Memory" are immigrants and members of the Latinx diaspora, who escaped their country due to persecution and danger. They did not suffer less or more than those who stayed behind.
There are also inconsistencies between the story of "I lived on Butterfly Hill" and the story of "The Maps of Memory". For example, for much of the latter book it is said Celeste's parents made the decision to send her away to Maine. In the original book, it was Celeste's abuela who planned her exile, as Celeste's parents were already in hiding. Esmeralda is described as "recovering" in "I lived on Butterfly Hill"; Celeste says she is gaining her "fun-loving nature back". However when "The Maps of Memory" begins, Esmeralda is troubled and easily nervous. Such changes threaten the continuity of Celeste's story and cause confusion for the reader. It seems that the author made such changes just so she could have material for a sequel.
Through the power of fiction, "The Maps of Memory" explores the aftermath of a country's tragedies and their impact on families and communities. Our return to Valparaiso and its protagonist, the indomitable Celeste, is not as good as it could've been, but for its message of hope, it is enough.
A year has passed since Celeste Marconi returned to her beloved home on Butterfly Hill in the city of Valparaiso, Chile. Her community, after 3 years of tyranny under the General, is far from whole again; disappeared citizens have not returned, people are fearful of a new regime taking hold, and the poor of Valparaiso are barely surviving after a devastating fire. Celeste finds she can no longer ignore these problems, when her mother Esmeralda reveals she was a prisoner on "the Esmeralda", a naval ship used by the dictatorship for torture and assassination. With her classmates and friends, she begins researching the lives of disappeared students, creating maps of memory based on their favorite spots in Valparaiso. One of these students is Natalia Paz, whose brother Sebastian is convinced she is dead. When they receive a mysterious letter, Celeste and Esmeralda embark on a search to the island of Chiloe, for Lucila and Natalia, to bring them back home to Valparaiso.
The novel is very different from its predecessor. The author uses little imagery or figurative language in the narration. Her characters are also more complex; Celeste can be impulsive and Esmeralda snappy. The author has also removed the magic present in "I lived on Butterfly Hill", and there are very few supernatural events, which drove the action in the original book. One could argue that the tone is more appropriate for this story, which follows a community's long recovery after years of abuse. However, it marks a break from the style and characterization of "I lived on Butterfly Hill", which leads to narrative inconsistency.
The main theme is forgiveness. The characters in "The Maps of Memory" harbor resentment and trauma. Celeste, for example, blames her parents for sending her to Maine alone; they decided to risk their lives and stay in Chile, instead of coming with her. Celeste's abuela warns her that a grudge can eat Celeste up and turn her into what she hates most. . Even the nation of Chile is resentful; neighbors are still suspicious of each other and the government. Many disappeared citizens remain in hiding out of fear. The novel implies that resentment destroys lives, families and communities as it examines the impact of resentment on citizens of Valparaiso. Celeste and Esmeralda, for example, distance themselves from each other, and it is only when they reconcile, are they able to take action and work for their community.
The next theme is action and change. Celeste and her friends begin a literacy program for the poor of Butterfly Hill. They attend rallies in support of the disappeared. Esmeralda reopens her clinic for the poor, despite the persecution she faced for it, under the regime. But Celeste realizes that ignored problems will never be eradicated and she must face the truth in order to fight the lies of the regime. Being a victim does no one any good. This is a poignant lesson that many readers can relate to; all countries have had to recover from these kinds of blows. The famous cry "silence is violence" can be seen in "The Maps of Memory", when Celeste and her friends pour themselves into their work as a way to deny the previous regime power over their lives.
The last theme is right there in the title: memory. Celeste's history teacher challenges the students to examine the history of the regime, by researching a disappeared student, five neighbors, and by writing their own story of the regime. He explains that Chile cannot forget its past, or she will repeat the same mistakes in the future. Valparaiso is reluctant to share their experiences. Celeste's mother is silent for months on her torture. Celeste retreats to her bedroom to brood over her exile. Her friend Cristobal never talks about his life under the General while Celeste was in exile. But what "The Maps of Memory" aims to show, is that remembering, while painful, can reap the most beautiful rewards. For example, Sebastian is reluctant to help Celeste look for Natalia, as he doesn't want to be disappointed once again. .
However, "The Maps of Memory" is not perfect. As aforementioned, the book is not comparable to its prequel, "I lived on Butterfly Hill". One disconcerting change, is that Celeste's own trauma is downplayed in this novel. At the start of the novel, Celeste has become depressed, spending her days locked up in her room, and snapping at the smallest things. Her family and friends blame this one egoism and Celeste agrees with them and tries to change. However we must remember, Celeste spent difficult years in the United States, facing culture shock, racism, and the ever-present fear that her parents had not survived. The implication the novel makes is that Celeste was "luckier" than her peers. This is problematic, as the target audience of "The Maps of Memory" are immigrants and members of the Latinx diaspora, who escaped their country due to persecution and danger. They did not suffer less or more than those who stayed behind.
There are also inconsistencies between the story of "I lived on Butterfly Hill" and the story of "The Maps of Memory". For example, for much of the latter book it is said Celeste's parents made the decision to send her away to Maine. In the original book, it was Celeste's abuela who planned her exile, as Celeste's parents were already in hiding. Esmeralda is described as "recovering" in "I lived on Butterfly Hill"; Celeste says she is gaining her "fun-loving nature back". However when "The Maps of Memory" begins, Esmeralda is troubled and easily nervous. Such changes threaten the continuity of Celeste's story and cause confusion for the reader. It seems that the author made such changes just so she could have material for a sequel.
Through the power of fiction, "The Maps of Memory" explores the aftermath of a country's tragedies and their impact on families and communities. Our return to Valparaiso and its protagonist, the indomitable Celeste, is not as good as it could've been, but for its message of hope, it is enough.
March 20, 2021
I liked this sequel to I Lived On Butterfly Hill because it shows the aftermath of the dictatorship. It shows that everything wasn't immediately a 'happily ever after' after Celeste is reunited with her family. Yes, the General is gone, but there is still lots of trauma to deal with. Celeste's mother is only starting to talk about what she endured during the dictatorship, and many people are still trying to find their loved ones who have disappeared.
Celeste starts literacy classes for many of the people on Butterfly Hill (with the help of old friend Cristóbal and a donkey named Milui) and also starts something she calls 'memory maps.' I thought the memory maps were a really cool idea.
I recommend this sequel to anyone who liked the first book!
Celeste starts literacy classes for many of the people on Butterfly Hill (with the help of old friend Cristóbal and a donkey named Milui) and also starts something she calls 'memory maps.' I thought the memory maps were a really cool idea.
I recommend this sequel to anyone who liked the first book!
July 10, 2021
This is a wonderful coming of age middle grade novel, perfect for 8-12 olds who like realistic stories about overcoming difficulties. It is also perfect for anyone who is curious about the lives of those left to pick up the pieces after the trauma from the Pinochet regime’s time in Chile.
There’s a lovable cast of characters from On Butterfly Hill, joined by many more unique and interesting friends who made it easy to follow Celeste on her journey to make sense of the new normal after the General is gone, but the damage he caused remains. After reading this two-book series on this time in Chile’s history, I’m curious to dig deeper and learn more, particularly about the disappeared. I consider this a sign of a well-written middle grade novel.
I also loved the memory maps the kids made for the disappeared, and learning about animitas.
There’s a lovable cast of characters from On Butterfly Hill, joined by many more unique and interesting friends who made it easy to follow Celeste on her journey to make sense of the new normal after the General is gone, but the damage he caused remains. After reading this two-book series on this time in Chile’s history, I’m curious to dig deeper and learn more, particularly about the disappeared. I consider this a sign of a well-written middle grade novel.
I also loved the memory maps the kids made for the disappeared, and learning about animitas.
May 8, 2024
3.8/5 ⭐️
Background:
This is the sequel to 'Return to Butterfly Hill' and we follow Celeste's journey back to Chilé and trying to find her lost friends. We learn the truth behind the dictatorship and what happened when Celeste was away.
Overall:
Celeste is so annoying throughout the entire book she does not realize what happened with her family and friends because she was sheltered away in Juliette Cove. She has no filter and could not care less about everyone else's problems. I loved the other characters in the book but hated Celeste.
Plot:
The plot was interesting but I wish it was told through someone else's POV since I can not stand Celeste. The ending was really good as well as the climax. It was a very good closure to the series and I like the writing style Agosín has.
I loved the first book but this one did not meet the expectations I had. Nonetheless, it was still a great book that teaches about the dictatorship and what goes on during it.
Background:
This is the sequel to 'Return to Butterfly Hill' and we follow Celeste's journey back to Chilé and trying to find her lost friends. We learn the truth behind the dictatorship and what happened when Celeste was away.
Overall:
Celeste is so annoying throughout the entire book she does not realize what happened with her family and friends because she was sheltered away in Juliette Cove. She has no filter and could not care less about everyone else's problems. I loved the other characters in the book but hated Celeste.
Plot:
The plot was interesting but I wish it was told through someone else's POV since I can not stand Celeste. The ending was really good as well as the climax. It was a very good closure to the series and I like the writing style Agosín has.
I loved the first book but this one did not meet the expectations I had. Nonetheless, it was still a great book that teaches about the dictatorship and what goes on during it.
October 31, 2023
The beautiful sequel to the beautiful book "I lived on Butterfly Hill"
It's been a while since the fall of the dictator but many things in the country of Chile are still broken by the evil man's rule. Celeste Marconi wants to bring back what her country has lost and has decided to start a traveling library for the poor people who cannot read or write. But when many secrets about what happened during the dictatorship begin to surface, Celeste must do everything she can in order to help right the wrongs she sees. And that includes finding her friend Luclia who is one of the many people still missing.
It's been a while since the fall of the dictator but many things in the country of Chile are still broken by the evil man's rule. Celeste Marconi wants to bring back what her country has lost and has decided to start a traveling library for the poor people who cannot read or write. But when many secrets about what happened during the dictatorship begin to surface, Celeste must do everything she can in order to help right the wrongs she sees. And that includes finding her friend Luclia who is one of the many people still missing.
August 21, 2021
This book was powerful and tinged with sadness but also full of hope. I felt there was a very clear sense it was a sequel especially early on and it would have been even better if I had read the first book but it still told its own story while building upon the first. It was sometimes hard to know if it was aiming for a younger or older audience� but that’s the nature of its audacious topics. I also felt the illustrations were a little too simplistic and generic for me but maybe better for a younger audience.
October 18, 2024
This is a hard book to rate. It is well written and focuses on important themes. It also brings to light an important piece of history I knew nothing about.
There are a lot of mature themes and sensitive topics. It is marketed as a middle grade book but I wouldn’t recommend it to a middle grader. I am impressed by the tenacity and willingness to face hard things.
It also felt as if the main characters were almost too good? Too ready to overcome and remember and move forward and share.
Content: torture, abuse, fear, murder
There are a lot of mature themes and sensitive topics. It is marketed as a middle grade book but I wouldn’t recommend it to a middle grader. I am impressed by the tenacity and willingness to face hard things.
It also felt as if the main characters were almost too good? Too ready to overcome and remember and move forward and share.
Content: torture, abuse, fear, murder
September 11, 2022
Sequel
Lovely concept of creating memory maps for the missing families in Chile using painted stones
Also love the food traditions shared - thousand layers cake, sopapillas, and fish
Chiloe- an island off of Chile - isolated, more simple living
Animitas - shrines to those who lost their lives violently, especially in traffic accidents
Lovely concept of creating memory maps for the missing families in Chile using painted stones
Also love the food traditions shared - thousand layers cake, sopapillas, and fish
Chiloe- an island off of Chile - isolated, more simple living
Animitas - shrines to those who lost their lives violently, especially in traffic accidents
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2023
I enjoyed this book, but not as much as the first one in the series, I Lived on Butterfly Hill. However, I was disappointed at the subtle anti-American socialist propaganda throughout. While I would send the first one to my granddaughters, I wouldn't send the second.
October 12, 2021
Rounded up from 3.5 because being translated complicates the writing style; see for details!
November 2, 2022
Great follow up to part 1!
June 26, 2023
This would have been five stars, but several parts of the translation were wobbly and took me out of the story. I’m curious to see the original Spanish text.
November 24, 2024
Highly recommend. Very touching and hopeful
May 25, 2024
Please, trust me when I say that this book will change your entire perspective of how love can make you so determined. This book is the most vibrant book, and of course, it has to carry some sorrowful memories but you can't feel true happiness without feeling true sadness. By the way you will have to read the first book to understand this one.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.