Code Name: Butterfly

In Code Name: Butterfly, a spirited teenager navigates love, loyalty, and the challenges of growing up in occupied Palestine, facing profound questions about her identity and family.

Translated from Arabic, Code Name: Butterfly is a poignant young adult novel that transcends linguistic barriers to present a compelling narrative of love, loyalty, and the challenges of coming of age amidst turmoil. Set in occupied Palestine, the story follows Butterfly, a spirited teenager who grapples with the complexities of adolescence in a world fraught with conflict. With a blend of irony and relentless idealism, she navigates a landscape filled with adult deceptions, shifting friendships, and turbulent sibling dynamics.

As Butterfly confronts the harsh realities of her environment, she is faced with profound questions about her family's loyalties and her own blossoming emotions. Is her father truly considering an alliance with the occupiers? Will her feelings for Nizar ever be reciprocated? These questions propel her into a whirlwind of emotions and uncertainties, forcing her to confront the storms of young adulthood. In this journey, the concept of 'honour' emerges as a term laden with both peril and significance, shaping her understanding of herself and her world.

Code Name: Butterfly not only tells a personal story but also reflects the broader struggles faced by those living in conflict zones. The novel has been recognized for its powerful storytelling, having been shortlisted for the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature in 2013 and The Palestine Book Awards in 2017. An Arabic paperback edition titled Ismee Alharakee Farasha is also available.