Becoming a Butterfly

While doing research for his term paper at the public library, Joel meets a mysterious old man named Danaus who has a unique way of looking at the world. Joel's best friend Jay does not trust Danaus, but Joel has a suspicion that the things Danaus says might not be as crazy as they sound. For the next two weeks Joel secretly visits Danaus and begins to learn how small changes in his attitude and behavior can have a huge impact on his family and friends. It's not long before Joel realizes he's no longer feeling so angered by his parents' odd behaviors, and Mickey, Joel's rival in the school-wide competition to collect a complete set of Al-Mod trading cards, suddenly doesn't seem quite so annoying. But in the end questions remain. Will Danaus' lessons help Joel teach Jay how to deal with his abusive father? And can anything Danaus says ever help Joel feel more confident around Kali, his would-be girlfriend?