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What Members Thought
I liked this well enough, or rather, I liked Bee. I loved the settings, the time period, and many of the characters. The problem I'm having here is that there is WAY too much going on and nothing gets explored. We have two kids (basically) raising themselves in a carnival during the second world war. In addition, Bee has a large birthmark on her cheek. There is enough there to explore the story and watch Bee grow. But no, we need to add on a pig trainer with a past, two ghost women in a house (a
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What a sweet gem of a book this was. Definitely one of my favorite reads this year.
BEHOLDING BEE by Kimberly Newton Fusco, Knopf, February 2013, 336p., ISBN: 978-0-375-86836-8
"When you spend as much time watching folks looking at my diamond as I do, you can tell what's inside of them without looking too deep. It's like knowing what's in a bologna sandwich without lifting the bread.
"Pauline tells me I have a sixth sense, like a gift you get when one of your other senses is missing. 'Like when you can't see, your hearing is really good, Bee, or when your hearing is gone, your he ...more
"When you spend as much time watching folks looking at my diamond as I do, you can tell what's inside of them without looking too deep. It's like knowing what's in a bologna sandwich without lifting the bread.
"Pauline tells me I have a sixth sense, like a gift you get when one of your other senses is missing. 'Like when you can't see, your hearing is really good, Bee, or when your hearing is gone, your he ...more
This book would really be about a 3-3.5 for me, but I think it will appeal to the age group (4th-6th). It did remind me of Wonder, with the facial issues, bullying, starting school as a later elementary student. This book was set in the 40s, but it was a barely relevant part of the story, though I do think the tone of the book did fit the time period. What was unusual was the "fantasy" element of the story which was more psychological than magical but was also the weak link for me. Bee is likeab
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Bee's mother and father die in a traffic accident when she is four, and a traveling circus picks her up because she has a huge diamond birthmark on her face. While she grows up in the circus she learns to read, write, and cook all because a girl named Pauline takes her under her wing. However, when Pauline leaves the circus, so does Bee. She is alone in the world for the first time until she comes upon 2 strange ladies who she can only see. She lives in a house that is supposed to be abandoned b
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Nov 02, 2013
Teresa Garrett
added it
Bee, an orphan, had a large diamond shaped birthmark on her face and is traveling with a carnival during WWII. All she longs for is a home of her own and a family who loves her. She and Pauline run the hotdog stand and are as happy as two people in their situation can be until Pauline gets a boyfriend and leaves Bee behind. After being taunted and mistreated one too many times Bee runs away from the carnival and finds the perfect home with two elderly ladies she is surprised to learn are her aun
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I loved the strong female characters in this story. Partly realistic, historical and ghostly fiction, the plot moves quickly. My students will love the ghostly presences and the hints of danger. Even though everything isn't perfect
at the end, I was left feeling satisfied and sorry that my time with Bee was over. ...more
at the end, I was left feeling satisfied and sorry that my time with Bee was over. ...more
Beautiful MG story about an orphaned girl left in the care of a traveling show. Set during W W 2 this is realistic fiction with a touch of mysticism as there are ghostly aunts involved in Bee`s life. A wonderful story about the family we create when we lose the one we have. Recommended for grades 5 and up, especially girls as this has almost all female characters.
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I must admit I am someone who cringes when I see a "Historical Fiction" spine label on a book. But in this case, the setting of Bee's story only made me want to read more. There are some pieces of this story that are a bit far fetched but I think those pieces are what makes this book so special. I am still thinking about Bee an her classmates in the "special" class.
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Feb 18, 2013
Elisabeth
marked it as to-read
Jun 02, 2013
Beth
marked it as middle-grade-to-read
Jul 26, 2013
The Styling Librarian
marked it as to-read
Aug 11, 2013
Aimee
added it
Sep 10, 2013
Brandy
marked it as to-read
Nov 08, 2013
krista (kristina) sembler
marked it as to-read
Dec 03, 2013
Kathy
marked it as to-read
Apr 27, 2014
Lara Ivey
marked it as to-read
