The Butterfly Garden: Surviving Childhood on the Run with One of America's Most Wanted [Paperback]

Chip St. Clair (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 18, 2008

One of America's Most Fascinating True Crime Cases

Fear rocked Chip St. Clair's world. As a boy, he never knew what would set his father off--maybe the ice cubes had melted in his glass of Tab, maybe dinner was overcooked or undercooked or the gravy was too runny. Regardless, the beatings always came. As did the twisted games of cat and mouse--being thrown from a rowboat into frigid Lake Michigan, the middle-of-the-night moves to different states, or being left to dangle over a ten-story balcony while his father watched from inside. But one fateful night when the police answered the call, the truth came to light from the shadows, sparking national headlines: Chip St. Clair's entire life--his name, even his date of birth--had been a lie, and the man he called 'Dad' was an impostor, an escaped child killer who had been on the run for over two decades. The stunning revelation would send one of America's Most Wanted to justice and another on a quest for his true identity.

With chilling detail and a riveting, lyrical narrative, The Butterfly Garden reveals St. Clair's struggle to piece together his haunted past before it consumes him and shares his inspiring metamorphosis from victim to victim's advocate. The Butterfly Garden is a timeless triumph, a reminder that hope can be the most powerful of all emotions, freeing us to soar despite the past and the odds against us.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Butterfly Garden delivers a bold and powerful story of tragedy and triumph. This book gives one the courage to look within, and provides everlasting hope in the human spirit. St. Clair's work inspires and empowers."

-- Dave Pelzer, 2005 National Jefferson Award Recipient and author of A Child Called "It"

(Dave Pelzer )

". . . A work of art that transcends any memoir that I have ever read. This is a book that will never be forgotten."

Marc Klaas, child advocate and founder, KlaasKids Foundation (Marc Klaas )

 "The Butterfly Garden is not to be missed."

Detroit Free Press

 

(Detroit Free Press )

Book Description

One of America's Most Fascinating True Crime Cases

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: HCI; First Edition edition (January 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0757306950
• ISBN-13: 978-0757306952
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #358,778 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chip St. Clair has been capturing the hearts of audiences everywhere with his compelling story of hope, triumph, and the discovery of the true measure of strength each of us has when we can simply gain the courage to look within.

He began sharing his story nationally in 2002, having been featured on major television programs such as Dateline and Good Morning America. As founder and executive director of the St. Clair Butterfly Foundation, St. Clair's work often places him in the media spotlight as he fights relentlessly for tough legislation aimed at combating identity theft and protecting children, having worked with fathers-turned-advocates Mark Lunsford and Marc Klaas, and most recently helping to pass Montana's, Maryland's, and Michigan's version of Jessica's Law. In 2005, Chip St. Clair was honored as the recipient of a U.S. Congressional Record for ardent advocacy on behalf of abused and neglected children.

Prior to founding his own organization which helps children heal through the creative arts and literature, St. Clair was poised at the helm of the Michigan chapter of Justice for Children, where he made tremendous strides in aiding children caught up in the nation's distressed child welfare system. He created legislative initiatives, community awareness programs, and internship programs that still resonate among victims, survivors, and key stakeholders in the child welfare community. St. Clair's direct involvement in the chapter's casework played a substantial role in the apprehension of two known child predators whose brutality toward children grabbed national headlines.

St. Clair's own harrowing story is chronicled in his best selling memoir The Butterfly Garden (HCI, 2008) - a haunting account of surviving the darkest of family secrets -- a childhood unknowingly spent on the run with one of America's most wanted killers -- of his metamorphosis from unthinkable horror to a future of self-discovery, hope, and peace using the power of literature and love to battle the demons of the past. And ultimately of his commitment to protect children, empower survivors, and put predators behind bars.

Universities and high schools across the country have now incorporated The Butterfly Garden into their curriculum, and St. Clair's expertise in advocacy and his riveting lectures have become an integral part of the training for law enforcement, prosecutors, and DHS is several states. In April of 2009, St. Clair was called upon by nearly 100 media outlets around the world to partake in interviews of behalf of Child Abuse Awareness Month.

In his spare time St. Clair enjoys outdoor activities and indulging in his thirst for great literature. He is currently at work on several new book projects, including The NeverMan Chronicles, a sweeping epic of historical fiction. St. Clair resides in Michigan with the love of his life, Lisa, and their two Yorkshire Terriers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In awe and what a survivor, February 26, 2008

By 

Sandee Rodriguez "Sandee Rodriguez, book luver" (Mi.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Butterfly Garden: Surviving Childhood on the Run with One of America's Most Wanted (Paperback)

I recently read this book and met the man who wrote it. What a touching and phenom story. I had a hard time putting this down becuase it is not only written so well, but is captavating with how it travels. His honesty is so raw and naked that everyone can relate to some aspect of his story. His wife is also a huge part of this survival and is such an amazing woman. It's amazing what positivity came from Chip and this whole nightmarish experience. So many people could learn much from Chip and about themselves from this book. I felt many emotions thru this book. Chip is an amazing human!!! This is a must read for everyone, espcially for children everywhere.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching story, February 26, 2008

By 

Jamie Moore "crash investigator" (mi) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Butterfly Garden: Surviving Childhood on the Run with One of America's Most Wanted (Paperback)

I was in an Ohio bookstore when the author was signing this book. I had the privilege of speaking with him for a few moments and was so impressed with his story. For someone to live through such a horrible childhood, but work so hard to become an incredible man! It was such a touching story. Once I started to read the book, I could not put it down. He wrote in my book "Continue to Soar" and after reading this book that is exactly what you want to do. Soar through life, be happy and help others. This is a must read.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Children of the Secret, March 31, 2008

By 

James A. Shields (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Butterfly Garden: Surviving Childhood on the Run with One of America's Most Wanted (Paperback)

In September of 2004 Chip StClair called my office seeking help to keep his father, Michael Dean Grant, in jail.

This phone call was beyond belief because Chip's story is unbelievable.

We call children who have been abused "children of the secret" because they spend their lives keeping their terrible secret. Eighty five percent of children who are abused are abused by someone known to the family. Children love their parents and are confused even when those parents abuse them - the children somehow believe they caused their own abuse. Families do whatever it takes to preserve their "dirty little secret."

This cycle of abuse repeats itself. That is not to say that all abused children become abusers but the data are pretty clear that most abusers were abused themselves.

I was in tears on that September day listening to Chip tell his story and I was mostly moved by his determination that his life of abuse would count for something. Chip said that he found his heroes in art and literature and he was committed to overcoming his life of adversity by helping others so that he could become a real life hero like those mythological heroes that saved his life.

Over the next months, Chip and I and a young man, Sameer Mandke, who was volunteering at Justice for Children had many long conversations. Michael Dean Grant was to be released from prison on April 1, 2005. Sameer and Chip worked together to prevent that from happening and instead, on April 1, 2005, the Michigan Chapter of Justice for Children was born, with Chip StClair as our new regional director.

Chip StClair's story is an inspiration to me but more importantly, he is a hero to all of the children of the secret.

Jim Shields
Executive Director
Justice for Children
Houston, TX