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How to Bee
Book (2020)
A story about family, loyalty, kindness and bravery, set against an all-too-possible future where climate change has forever changed the way we live.
In a world where real bees are extinct, the quickest, bravest kids climb the fruit trees and pollinate the flowers by hand. Peony lives with her sister, Magnolia, and her grandfather on a fruit farm outside the city. All Peony really wants is to be a bee. Even though she is only nine — and bees must be ten — Peony already knows all there is to know about being a bee and she is determined to achieve her dream.
Life on the farm is a scrabble, but there is enough to eat and a place to sleep, and there is love. Then Peony’s mother arrives to take her away from everything she has ever known. Peony is taken to the city to work for a wealthy family. Will Peony’s grit and quick thinking be enough to keep her safe?
How to Bee is a beautiful and fierce novel for younger readers, and the voice of Peony will stay with you long after you read the last page.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.6
Describe how a narrator's or speaker's point of view influences how events are described.
Book (2020)
A story about family, loyalty, kindness and bravery, set against an all-too-possible future where climate change has forever changed the way we live.
In a world where real bees are extinct, the quickest, bravest kids climb the fruit trees and pollinate the flowers by hand. Peony lives with her sister, Magnolia, and her grandfather on a fruit farm outside the city. All Peony really wants is to be a bee. Even though she is only nine — and bees must be ten — Peony already knows all there is to know about being a bee and she is determined to achieve her dream.
Life on the farm is a scrabble, but there is enough to eat and a place to sleep, and there is love. Then Peony’s mother arrives to take her away from everything she has ever known. Peony is taken to the city to work for a wealthy family. Will Peony’s grit and quick thinking be enough to keep her safe?
How to Bee is a beautiful and fierce novel for younger readers, and the voice of Peony will stay with you long after you read the last page.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.6
Describe how a narrator's or speaker's point of view influences how events are described.
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Content at a glance
More filled segments mean stronger content.
Sex & Nudity
The story is focused on family dynamics and themes of survival, with no romantic or sexual content.
Violence & Gore
The content depicts the physical labor of children climbing trees, with very minor risks associated with farm life, but no graphic violence or combat.
Profanity
The book is written for middle-grade readers and uses clean language appropriate for the target age group.
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking
There are no depictions or mentions of substance use in the narrative.
Frightening Scenes
The story contains emotional intensity regarding family separation and the daunting reality of a climate-changed world, which may be moderately unsettling for sensitive younger readers.
Key Insights
Quick summary and important considerations
This story is about a brave girl who learns how to stay true to herself and her family when she is forced into a challenging new environment. It shows how being kind and hardworking can help you face even the toughest changes.
Content Warnings
Family separation
Economic hardship
Detailed Analysis
In-depth insights for parents and educators
What Parents Need to Know
The story centers on the forced removal of a child from her home to work for a wealthy family, which may trigger anxiety for sensitive readers. The setting involves a bleak, post-climate-change world where resources are scarce.
What Kids Can Learn
Develops empathy for those living in different economic circumstances and fosters a deeper appreciation for environmental sustainability.
Key Topics Discussed
Climate change
Child labor
Self-reliance
Why Parents Might Like It
It provides a compelling, thought-provoking narrative that encourages deep conversations about social responsibility and the importance of nature.
Positives & learning
More filled segments mean stronger positive content or learning value.
Positive messages
Emphasizes the power of grit, loyalty, and personal agency. It teaches that kindness persists even in desperate circumstances and highlights the importance of maintaining one's identity under external pressure.
Role models
Peony serves as an exceptional model of persistence, bravery, and independence. Her focus on hard work and family loyalty provides a strong example of resilience for young readers.
Representation
No specific demographic diversity indicated in available information. The focus remains on socioeconomic class distinctions within a speculative future setting.
Learning
Offers clear entry points for discussing climate change, the role of pollinators in our ecosystem, and socioeconomic disparity. It is well-suited for classroom discussions regarding literary perspective and character-driven narrative structure.
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