Hour of the Bees | TheBookSeekers

Hour of the Bees


School year: Lower 6th, Upper 6th, Year 10, Year 11, Year 8, Year 9

No. of pages 368

Published: 2016

Great for age 12-17 years

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A beautifully written debut novel that weaves together magic and reality, about a girl's relationship with her mentally ill grandfather. This powerful debut novel delicately blurs the line between truth and fiction as Carol unravels the fantastical stories of her mentally ill grandfather. When she and her family move to his deserted ranch in order to transfer him to a care home, Carol struggles to cope with the suffocating heat and the effects of her grandfather's dementia. Bees seem to be following her around, but the drought means this is impossible. She must be imagining things. Yet when her grandfather chooses her as the subject for his stories - tales of a magical healing tree, a lake, and the grandmother she never knew - Carol sees glimmers of something special in what her parents dismiss as Serge's madness. As she rethinks her roots and what she thought she knew about her family, Carol comes to the realization that Serge's past is quickly catching up with her present. A stunning coming-of-age story.

 

 

This book is the winner of numerous awards

There are 368 pages in this book. This book was published in 2016 by Walker Books Ltd .

Lindsay Eagar is the author of Race to the Bottom of the Sea and Hour of the Bees. A classically trained pianist and un-classically trained rock guitarist, Lindsay lives in Utah with her young daughters. Visit her on Twitter @lindsaymccall

 

This book has been nominated for the following award:

International Latino Book Award - Best Fiction Chapter Book Youth
This book was recognised in the Best Fiction Chapter Book Youth category of the International Latino Book Award.

Acquisition noted * Publishers Lunch *

 

Mentioned in sneak previews * Publishers Weekly *

 

Whatever you are doing right now, stop, and order this book. You will not regret it at all. * Review Reader, Lovereading 4 Kids *

 

A powerful coming-of-age debut * Bookseller *

 

Magic blends with reality in a stunning coming-of-age novel about a girl and her grandfather. * The Bookseller *

 

A contemporary fable in which two worlds collide. The young and the old joust with modern day and myth. [...] An inspiring book with a powerful message. Don't be afraid to live your life. There will be a real 'buzz' about this book. * South Wales Evening Post *

 

An inspiring book with a powerful message. There will be a real buzz about this book. * South Wales Evening Post *

 

Hour of the Bees is a very powerful YA novel- that really was very refreshing to read. Filled with magic, love, memories and family roots: you can't help but to warm to this book. Edgar writes beautifully: making her readers imagine the stunning sunsets of the desert and trees bursting with blossoms. [...]A very different, but very appealing read- Hour of the Bees is a 4/5 for me, it is absolutely perfect for an introduction into YA. * Teen Book Hoots blog *

 

[Hour of the Bees] transforms when it shifts a gear into magical realism. [...] Eagar takes a while to find her stride in this debut novel, but perhaps this is only a reflection of Carol's journey. Like her, we could take it or leave it when she arrives at the ranch, but gradually we are drawn in to the arid beauty of the dessert landscape [...] And when you are wiping away the tears, you can take comfort in Serge's words: `Stories don't end... they just turn into new beginnings.' * The Daily Telegraph *

 

Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eagar is an absorbing story and the final pages [...] will keep readers of 10-plus riveted to the last page. An excellent debut novel. * Newbury Weekly News *

 

This highly original debut novel is a mesmerising story of the power of roots and family history. * IBW Children's Book Guide, The Bookseller *

 

"For a unique and heart warming read, Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eager is a searing story about family love and finding your roots." * Irish Times, Children's Books of the Year recommended by ER Murrary *

 

"[...] a spellbinding tale that deserves a chance to become a modern classic. Tightly plotted and elegantly written, this is an exceptional debut novel that manages to be both inspirational yet authentic at the same time." * Young Post *

 

"A truly stunning debut novel that will stay with the reader for a very long time. Magic!" * Fallen Star Stories *