Why this book?
Since I love books about nature and all its creatures, I was intrigued to read a story involving bees. I also know that Rachelle Delaney’s books usually have some kind of mystery to solve—and missing beehives is certainly a unique premise.
I was having so much fun I read this story in one day, and actually laughed out loud a few times. The characters are believable and I loved the idea that Grandpa was leading his more cautious grandson on adventures.
This story also referred to some interesting professions (such as auditor) and included some fun names for computer games, like Applewood Acres. The games sounded so fun I wished they were real! I really
enjoyed this book! From a writer’s perspective, I think it would be a good
mentor text for anyone writing a contemporary middle grade novel.
Connections: mysteries, neighborhood adventures, bees
Activity Ideas:
Social Emotional Learning: The story mentions several personality types related to an online
personality quiz: Auditor, Adventurer, Problem-Solver and Counselor. List the
characteristics of each personality. Which ones do you most relate to? What
kind of career interests you? Does it fit with your personality type?
Literacy: What are
some of the obstacles that Leo faced as they worked to find the missing
beehives? How did his character change by the end of the story?
STEAM: Research bees and
design a model of a beehive using materials of your choice. Or build a real bee
habitat to install outdoors.
MEDIA: Design your own computer game idea by making up a name and rules for how to play. Create an ad for your game in a format of your choice (poster, video).
Additional Resources:
25 Bee Activities for Middle Schoolers - Link here.
For my thoughts on some other books by Rachelle Delaney, click on the titles:
Alice Fleck’s Recipes for Disaster
Book description from the publisher (to visit the publisher click here):
A visit to Leo's grandfather's farm turns upside down when
his grandmother's bee hives are stolen. A light-hearted and funny middle-grade
novel for fans of Rebecca Stead and Lynda Mullaly Hunt.
Eleven-year-old Leo is an "armchair
adventurer." This, according to Dad, means he'd choose adventures in books
or video games over real-life experiences. And while Leo hates the label, he
can’t argue with it. Unlike his little sister Lizzie, Leo is not a risk-taker.
So when he, Lizzie, Mom and Dad leave the city
to visit Grandpa on Heron Island, Leo finds all kinds of dangers to
avoid — from the deep, dark ocean to an old barn on the verge of collapse. But
nothing on the island is more fearsome than Grandpa himself — Leo has
never met anyone so grumpy! According to Mom, Grandpa is still grieving the
recent death of his wife, a beekeeper beloved by everyone on the island.
Despite Leo's best efforts to avoid it, adventure
finds him anyway when Grandma’s beehives go missing in the dead of night.
Infuriated, Grandpa vows to track down the sticky-fingered thieves himself . .
. with risk-averse Leo and danger-loving Lizzie (plus a kitten named
Mayhem) in tow.
The Big Sting, written by Rachelle Delaney was published by Tundra Books in 2023.
Thanks for this review about a contemporary mystery for MG readers and writers. Always looking for MG family mysteries w/o murder and mayhem.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds a great story, and I love the fact that it features bees. Bees are such incredible creatures, absolutely fascinating! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like a lot of fun. Loved all the activity suggestions too. Happy MMGM
ReplyDeleteYour description of the plot has me anxious to read this one. Contemporary MG stories are always my favorites. The main character adds to what sounds like a memorable read.. Thanks for sharing the book on today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a cool book with the focus on bees and the mystery of what happened to the beehives. Thanks for featuring it this week.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really unique story. Will definitely get a copy and send one to my sister-in-law who raises bees. Missing beehives -- clever idea.
ReplyDeleteMy parents were beekeepers, so a book about stolen bees is pretty interesting to me. It sounds like a terrific book. Thanks for telling me about it. I'll look for it.
ReplyDelete