FROM THE PUBLISHER
Living on a peach farm in South Carolina with her harsh, unyielding father, Lily Owens has shaped her entire life around one devastating, blurred memory - the afternoon her mother was killed, when Lily was four. Since then, her only real companion has been the fierce-hearted, and sometimes just fierce, black woman Rosaleen, who acts as her "stand-in mother."

When Rosaleen insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily knows it's time to spring them both free. They take off in the only direction Lily can think of, toward a town called Tiburon, South Carolina - a name she found on the back of a picture amid the few possessions left by her mother.

There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters named May, June, and August. Lily thinks of them as the calendar sisters and enters their mesmerizing secret world of bees and honey, and of the Black Madonna who presides over this household of strong, wise women. Maternal loss and betrayal, guilt and forgiveness entwine in a story that leads Lily to the single thing her heart longs for most.

I read this after being urged by many to read it... and yes, I agree this is a really good book. It's a special book in so many ways.

First, I loved the way each chapter began with a factual quote from a non-fiction bee book. The quote used was always a bit of foreshadowing about the chapter to come. I would read the quote, try to figure out what was going to happen (usually I couldn't!), read the chapter, then reread the quote, which would now usually make perfect sense as to why that quote was used.

Next, I loved the sense of humor of the writer and characters. After something sad happened, Lily (age 14) was so depressed that "Sometimes I didn't even feel like getting out of bed. I took to wearing my days-of-the-week panties out of order. It could be Monday and I'd have on underwear saying Thursday. I just didn't care." (Chapter 11) How perfect is that !? Didn't we all have days-of-the-week panties in 1964?

I also loved the sweet female bonding which was so strong throughout this book, and Lily's search for the truth about her mother's life, death and love for Lily.

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Mailed to i-spy in IL...trading for Blink. I hope you enjoy this book, i-spy!

An endearing story, And yes, I'm a sucker...I cried! :o)

I took this out of Jillmari3's bookbox.

I have already read it. Here is a copy of my review of the book.
This is the story of 14 year old Lily who lost her mother at the age of four. Her father is abusive and mean to her. When trouble arises she runs away with her black housekeeper.
I thought this was a pretty good book, but I heard so much about it, I built it up to high in my mind and was a little disappointed. It was a great book, just not as wonderfully delightful as I thought it would be.

So why did I take this book if I already read it? I was volunteering at the school today and went into a faculty unisex bathroom. There was a little bookshelf in there, pretty empty, except for a couple of cosmetic type bags. I apparently can't get BC out of my mind, because I thought it would be a great place to leave a few books. I am thinking next time I am there, I will leave this and 4-5 more and see how they do.

RELEASE NOTES:

I left this, along with 5 other books, in a faculty restroom on a shelf.

Liked it very much. Loved the story of Lily and her life and thoughts.

CAUGHT IN MASON OHIO USA