The Secret Life of Bees By Sue Monk Kidd

 

Lily Owens is a fourteen year old girl whose life has been shaped around the few memories she has of the afternoon her mother was killed.  Now she lives with her harsh and neglectful father, T. Ray on his peach farm just outside of Sylvan, South Carolina.  Thank goodness she has her nanny, Rosaleen, a strong, big-hearted black woman she calls her "stand in mother."  The story takes place during the 1960's.  At this time in history, African-Americans were no longer slaves but they still weren't treated fairly by the white people of the south.  Things just aren't right for Lily or Rosaleen.  Rosaleen has been targeted by three of the worst racists in town, she is jailed, and her life is in danger.  Lily, after finding a bag in the attic that contained the last traces of her mother - a pair of white gloves and a small wooden picture of a black Madonna with the words "Tiburon, S.C." handwritten on the back, wants nothing more than to try to find out more about the mother she lost.  Lily is determined to save Rosaleen and herself.  They escape and take off  on a journey headed to Tiburon, S.C., the only clue to the past.  Once Lily and Rosaleen reach their destination, they are taken in by three black beekeeping sisters who teach them about the world of bees and honey, and the mystery of the Black Madonna. 

            August said, "Listen to me now, Lily.  I'm going to tell you something I want you always to remember, all right?"

            Her face had grown serious.  Intent.  Her eyes did not blink.

            "All right," I said, and I felt something electric slide down my spine.

            "Our Lady is not some magical being out there somewhere, like a fairy godmother.  She's not the statue in the parlor.  She's something inside of you.  Do you understand what I'm telling you?"

            "Our lady is inside me," I repeated, not sure I did.

            "You have to find a mother inside yourself.  We all do.  Even if we already have a mother, we still have to find this part of ourselves inside."

The friendships that develop between the women will make your heart feel good and at times will make you laugh and cry.  Lily ends up forming relationships she would never expect, ultimately leading to secrets about her mom and herself.           Victoria