The Beejum Book

by Alice O. Howell

Teak, a lonely nine-year-old abroad in Europe between the two World Wars, begins to take magical excursions to a realm known as Beejumstan.

Genres: Childrens

309 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2002

Reviews

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this once before when my children were younger and remember thinking this is a good one for later. But I didn't remember much of what it was about.

Now at 7 and 9 we pulled it off the shelf again and together were enthralled with the magical beauty of Beejumstan. This is most definitely a book worthy of reading and sharing. Alice Howell does a bang up job of creating a space to bring real world truths in a form for younger children to easily digest.

I will have my children each read this story again individually when they are older, like 5th/6th grade.

It is such a wonderful book with so many nuggets to take away. We laughed, smiled, and sympathized with the characters and it definitely stretches a part of you that you didn't know you needed stretching.

I will be getting her other books for myself and possibly several copies of this book to give as gifts.

[MacKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book; I don't read it often but it's still on a shelf next to my bed. My mom had started reading this to me and my siblings but we kind of drifted off early in the book. I read it a few years later and it was perfect. I would describe it as lighthearted and Christian, it certainly has hidden life lessons- in a good way, as I got older I saw more and more of them and understood what they were teaching. When I read the end, I'm disappointed. I want to know more about what happens in her story, and yes, "would she, would she!?" This is perfect for children, boy or girl, old or young.

[Sam Ferris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was hard to review as I neither liked nor disliked this book. There were some fun moments and I could totally see this being adapted into a movie, but there wasn't a clear sense of where the book was going. Aside from a couple chapters, particularily the last couple, there wasn't anything driving the plot forward. There was a beginning, and an end, but nothing really connecting the two.

[Sophie Carbone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet book! Recommended to me as a kid and I just never got around to reading it till now. Ended up being harder to find than I thought, but it makes the message that much more meaningful.

[Elfiegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there is any word to describe this book, it's ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS.
There is nothing so creative, fresh, and new as this story.

Teak King, daughter of writer Birdie King and Thaddeus King Junior the vice president, goes on a remarkable journey in two worlds at once. Visit the incredible Beejumstan and meet Figg Newton, Gezeebius, Lonesome, Dark Shee, Mr. Rathbone, Cosmo the Lion, Mrs. Daisymouse, Mercy Muchmore, and countless others,
and meanwhile enjoy Teak's life in the world, traveling and trying out life.

[Morgan Van Ness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story full of life's little lessons. Good to read out loud to a child before bed.

[WSL Library]

X2

[Miss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book- witty, thought-provoking, and delightful to read!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating with my heart. This was the first book that really captured my attention as a child, so like... She's a real one to me.

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this for our mother/daughter book club.