Hour of the Bees
by: Lindsay Eagar
Grades 3-5
What does it mean to be fully alive? Magic blends with reality in a stunning coming-of-age novel about a girl, a grandfather, wanderlust, and reclaiming your roots.
Things are only impossible if you stop to think about them. . . .
While her friends are spending their summers having pool parties and sleepovers, twelve-year-old Carolina — Carol — is spending hers in the middle of the New Mexico desert, helping her parents move the grandfather she’s never met into a home for people with dementia. At first, Carol avoids prickly Grandpa Serge. But as the summer wears on and the heat bears down, Carol finds herself drawn to him, fascinated by the crazy stories he tells her about a healing tree, a green-glass lake, and the bees that will bring back the rain and end a hundred years of drought. As the thin line between magic and reality starts to blur, Carol must decide for herself what is possible — and what it means to be true to her roots. Readers who dream that there’s something more out there will be enchanted by this captivating novel of family, renewal, and discovering the wonder of the world.
by: Lindsay Eagar
Grades 3-5
What does it mean to be fully alive? Magic blends with reality in a stunning coming-of-age novel about a girl, a grandfather, wanderlust, and reclaiming your roots.
Things are only impossible if you stop to think about them. . . .
While her friends are spending their summers having pool parties and sleepovers, twelve-year-old Carolina — Carol — is spending hers in the middle of the New Mexico desert, helping her parents move the grandfather she’s never met into a home for people with dementia. At first, Carol avoids prickly Grandpa Serge. But as the summer wears on and the heat bears down, Carol finds herself drawn to him, fascinated by the crazy stories he tells her about a healing tree, a green-glass lake, and the bees that will bring back the rain and end a hundred years of drought. As the thin line between magic and reality starts to blur, Carol must decide for herself what is possible — and what it means to be true to her roots. Readers who dream that there’s something more out there will be enchanted by this captivating novel of family, renewal, and discovering the wonder of the world.
Activity 1
Compare Carol and her grandfather. Also compare Carol to her sister Alta and in fact all the members of her family. It is important to chart the changes in Carol. The ranch and her Grandfather, Serge, change her perspective on many things in a deep profound way. Comparing Raul, Carol's dad, to his parents could also be a very powerful activity. - Then connecting back to themselves. How are we like our parents, how are we different? Do we always take the best parts? Do we have similar qualities to our parents, but display them in different ways? Choose one of the comparisons and complete one of the charts that is with this activity. Chart link https://www.risd.k12.nm.us/assessment_evaluation/Character%20Analysis.pdf |
Activity 2
In chapter one, Raul (Dad) gives a list of rules for Carol to use when visiting Serge (Grandpa). Writie down this list and tell me whether you think they are a good rules or not. Have you ever had to deal with someone who has dementia? If so, tell me about your experience and how you dealt with the situation after you write down the rules. If you haven’t ever dealt with some like this, then just share your opinion on the rules with me. |
Activity 3
"Carolina is your namesake." Any smile in Serge's eyes is gone. "Why do you spit on your roots, Chiquita?" His question rattles through me, but I don't have a good answer." What does this mean? How are you connected to your roots? How are you disconnected from them? Why is it easy for a teen in today's world to 'spit on their roots.’ Do you think we need to stay connected to our roots or should we disconnect from them? Share with me an important part of your roots. You can choose to draw a picture, write a story, create an object or even create a short film in which you might visit with an ancestor. I believe that our roots are very important, do you? |
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