Written by Kimberly Newton Fusco
Bee, orphaned when she was four, lives and works in a traveling carnival. She’s plagued daily by the peering eyes and taunting comments of others because of a diamond shaped birthmark on her face. When Pauline, the one person who cares for her, is sent away to another carnival, Bee runs away. The story that follows is filled with new friends, new enemies and a time of self-discovery. I loved the powerful messages of the strength of the human spirit and the fight to overcome seemingly insurmountable difficulties. I highly recommend this book. A beautiful read!
Review by Becky Wakefield, Fremont Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
This story, told by 11 year old Bee who has a big birthmark on her cheek, is about sadness, bullying, loneliness and loss. It is also about loving, acceptance, healing and growing. Bee’s parents were killed in a car crash when she was four and she is raised by Pauline in a traveling carnival. After Pauline leaves, Bee runs away with a stray dog and a little pig. How she copes with this adventure is very resourceful, and the way she deals with adversity is a bit unusual but works for her. It’s a beautiful story, one that is probably aimed at elementary students, but would be appropriate for any age level.
Review by Linda Farr, Hunter High Media Center
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: 4th and up
Click here to sample a free excerpt of this book
Author Website: www.kimberlynewtonfusco.com
Beholding Bee
Written by Kimberly Newton Fusco
Knopf Books for Young Readers
336 pages
Release Date: February 12, 2013
ISBN: 9780375868368 (hardcover)
Bumped this up to the top of the reviews, because we just received an additional review for the title.