نامادری من

by Catherine Bateson, پروین علی‌پور (Translator)

Full of warmth and humor, this middle-grade novel looks at loss, trust, and acceptance from the viewpoint of a young girl.

Life certainly gets complicated for Bee, when her father's girlfriend, Jazzi, moves in. And it gets even more complicated when Bee discovers Jazzi's big secret-a secret not even Dad knows about.

Genres: Friendship, Childrens, Juvenile, Contemporary, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade

137 pages

First published December 31, 2006

About the author

Catherine Bateson has won the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers twice and received three Honour Book Awards, including one for Older Readers. She teaches in the Professional Writing and Editing course at TAFE but is also available for school visits, to talk about both fiction writing and poetry.

Where were you born?
I was born in Sydney, but grew up in Brisbane where my mother owned a secondhand bookshop.

What other jobs have you had?
I’ve been an incredibly bad waitress, but otherwise my work has all been within the arts and education sphere.

What themes are recurring in your work?
The theme of family is strong in my work – the families we make ourselves, rather than are born into. I put this down to being an only child – and also my father’s death when I was nine.

What have been the highlights of your career?
Without doubt, the highlights have been winning CBCA awards and the Queensland Premier’s Children’s Book Award. Having my third collection of poetry published in an environment that is financially hostile to poetry is also a highlight.

http://bookedout.com.au/find-a-speake...

Reviews

[Rachel Barrios · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is wonderful for young girls who have lost their mother or are gaining a step mother figure. In this book, Bee has lost her mother and is now living alone with her dad. Her Dad then meets another woman named Jazzi. Things take off quick with Bee's father and Jazzi and before you know it, Jazzi has moved into the house. Bee is upset and does not want a new mother and Jazzi has made new rules since she moved in. Bee now has to do chores she didn't do before and gets frustrated with Jazzi a lot. Until one night when Jazzi's brother comes to visit does Bee really find out more about Jazzi. After finding this out, Bee becomes to love Jazzi and actually build a relationship with her new mother figure. She develops a greater appreciation for Jazzi and welcomes her in.

[Bahman Bahman · Rating 2 out of 5]

بی یا بئاتریس یکی از آن دخترهایی است که متاسفانه مادرش را از دست داده است. اما پدر او هم بالاخره با کسی آشنا می شود که احساس می کند او می تواند هم تنهایی خودش را پر کند و هم برای دخترش مادر و مونسی باشد. اما بی، احتیاجی به مادر ندارد. او می خواهد پدرش فقط مال خودش باشد و اوقات فراغتش را فقط با او تقسیم کند نه با کسی دیگر. با آمدن این زن در زندگی بی و پدرش، کم کم تغییراتی در زندگی دختر و پدر ایجاد می شود. بی مجبور می شود خودش به کار نظافت و رسیدگی به خوکچه های هندی اش بپردازد، رختخوابش را مرتب کند و خیلی کارهای دیگر. اما این زن کم کم موجب شادی و تغییرات مثبتی نیز در خانه می شود. او به طرزی جادویی با بئاتریس ارتباط برقرار می کند، نقطه ضعف ها و درونش را کاوش می کند، اسرار خود را فقط با او در میان می گذارد و .... سرانجام آن چه باید بشود، می شود.

[random name · Rating 5 out of 5]

I surprisingly liked this book. My sister was reading it so when she wasn't I started reading it. It was really good. It amazed me, because I wasn't expecting that stuff to happen. I loved the end the most, but I'm not going to explain that.

[Molly Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Bee by Catherine Bateson is a very well written transitional book for young students. The story revolves around Bee, her 2 guinea pigs, her brother (with special needs), her dad and her dad's new girlfriend. After Bee's mom dies she begins to accept what happened and her new little family, but the dad meets a new woman, Jazzi and shortly after dating moves in with them! Jazzi makes Bee do chores, homework, and all sorts of busy work, Bee's hatred grows even more with this woman. After finding out a few secrets about each other they begin to bond and Bee kind-sorta likes Jazzi. This is a good book for students going through something like a parent death, or divorce in their own house. The text is very fast pace, keeps the reader interested, very much so a page turner. I would recommend this to 4th/5th grade (girls mainly). Bee is such a unique character and you can't help loving her.

[Maria Mascalco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Bee by Catherine Bateson is a perfect tale about a young girls struggles with a new "mom figure." Bee's mom dies leaving her dad a single parent. Bee learns to adjust to this new family structure and ends up loving this perfect little family. Not long after her dad meets a woman, Jazzi, who he eventually begins dating not long before he asks her to move in with them. Bee doesn't like her from the get go and over time begins to dislike her tendencies even more as they live together. Over time, Jazzi begins to give Bee chores and makes her do many other things she doesn't want to. Bee eventually gets to learn more and more about Jazzi, especially through meeting Jazzi's brother, which allows her to see a whole different side to Jazzi that brings them closer than ever.

I thought this book was great because of how relatable I think this would be for many different children who have lost a parent or who have parents who have gotten a divorce. Over time Bee no longer sees Jazzi as the enemy, but sees that there was a whole other side to her. This book would be perfect for students in 3rd to 5th grade, especially girls going through some of the same issues as Bee. The story is told through Bee which makes the story relatable and is in a tone very similar to those of eleven year old girls at the time. The cover has an image of a girl with doodles all around it, making it look as though it was told by Bee to make the book feel as though it is a diary that is giving the audience Bee's true thoughts.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beatrice (please call her Bee!) lives a fine life alone with her dad and her two awesome guinea pigs Lulu and Ffii ever since her mother passed away. She is perfectly content and nothing needs to change; her schedule is fine (Nanna picks her up from school), her meals are fine (neither she nor her father can really cook, so it’s pizza for them a lot!), and her chores are fine (she doesn’t really have any—except for cleaning out the guinea pig cage).

This all changes when her father meets Jazzi. Jazzi is nice enough, but she brings way too much change with her! When her father starts to really like Jazzi, she starts picking Bee up from school, cooking meals for them (with green stuff in it that just tastes…green), and making Bee clean the house (and they find a toasterpede in the toaster!). Needless to say, Bee is NOT too happy about all of this…especially because Jazzi takes up all of her dad’s time. Even Nanna likes Jazzi! Bee feels all alone and has only her guinea pigs on her side. Will she feel like this in her own family forever?

This is a good story about a girl who is trying to find her role in her new family life. It’s touching how she loves her guinea pigs and how she turns to them when she’s feeling happy, sad, or frustrated. Bee is an honest girl that readers are sure to like, along with Lulu and Fifi!

[Jessica Westerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being Bee is a short transitional chapter book that I would recommend for third to fifth grade girls. It is about a young girl named Beatrice, Bee for short. Her mother has died and she lives with her dad and two guinea pigs, Lulu and Fifi. Her life is quiet simple; Her dad does not cook a lot, she does not have to do chores, and gets to spend time with her dad. That is, until Jazzi comes into the picture.

Jazzi is a woman that her dad is dating. She eventually moves in and Bee does not like that idea. Jazzi cooks healthy meals, is way more organized than her dad ever was, and now has to share her dad. Noone understands her frustrations so she turns to Lulu and Fifi. There is a turning point in Bee and Jazzi's relationship when they both go visit Jazzi's brother, Harley, who is mentally challenged. This is special because her father does not even know about him.

Catherine Bateson writes the book in an enjoyable way. Despite everything Bee is going through, she adapts to the situation and her new family. I can definitely relate to Bee because I went through a similar situation. This book would have been great to read when I was younger. I think it would be a good read for girls going through similar situations to let them know that they are not alone. It would also be good for girls whose parents are separated.

[John Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story follows Bee a young girl who is the daughter of a single father. Her dad decides to move in his girlfriend Jazzi who Bee recognizes is more than likely going to become her stepmother. The issues this brought about were depicted as serious and funny as well. Additionally, the relationship issues between Bee, Jazzi, and Bee's father are also depicted as heartfelt and honest. Bee make sure we know that she thinks her dad, two guinea pigs LuLu and FiFi, and herself are all the family her family needs. Despite Bee's dislike for Jazzi she warms up to the idea of Jazzi living with her and her dad. When Jazzi tells Bee a secret she is keeping from Bee's father, Bee decides that Jazzi isn't so bad after all. The trust that came with Jazzi telling Bee the secret brings the two together in a strange turn of events. This story is more realistic than I thought it would be. Starting with the front cover we see this story through the eyes of 9 year old Bee. The cover of this book shows us what it would look like if Bee had a picture of herself on a piece of paper, and decided to make doodles. This story being told through Bee's eyes lends a tone of closeness to this novel. I gave this book 5 stars because I think there could be so many young girls that can identify with Bee and help themselves get through a tough situation through literature.

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beatrice (Bee) is a bit upset with her dad, who has just started dating Jazzi (Jasmine). Although Jazzi’s nice enough to Bee, her presence has really changed things – she’s always over at their house, cooks weird things, she’s takes up all of Bee’s dad’s attention – and Bee isn’t sure she likes all of these changes. Everyone seems to think she’s overreacting, though, so Bee tries to make the best of the situation. She’s doing ok until Jazzi moves in and, in a fit of cleaning, throws out Bee’s special box of things (things she kept that remind her of her mother), that’s when Bee decides she has to run away.

Bee is a great, resilient girl. She’s legitimately upset, and the adults in her life just kind of steamroll over her concerns – except for Jazzi, who makes an honest effort to befriend and understand her. Jazzi’s brother, who has some kind of neurosis, is also an interesting character and adds something different to this story (especially as Bee is so readily willing to befriend him and be patient with his issues). Bee also has two pet guinea pigs – Fifi and Lulu – who start leaving her little notes (and give her another outlet for venting some of her frustrations). Good characters, good story, and guinea pigs!

[Emily Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having to deal with the death of her mother, Bee and her father had began to pick up the pieces of their life and started to move forward. Now that her father has things under control, he has gotten a new girlfriend named Jazzi. Bee does not like Jazzi. Bee and Jazzi are no two peas in a pod; they are both very different. As Jazzi and Bee’s father become more attached things being to change around the house and in most aspects of Bee’s life. Jazzi starts to pick her up from school, and starts cooking dinners, which is an upgrade from the normal delivered pizza, and makes Bee do chores, Bees hates chores. With out Lulu and Fifi, Bee’s two guinea pigs, Bee would have no one to help her though this challenging time with Jazzi. After finding out a secret that Jazzi is keeping from Bee’s father, the two become strangely more relaxed with each other. This story will have readers traveling through a handful of emotions and learning how growing up and change it hard to deal with.
This is a wonderful book for upper third grade to fifth grade girls. Sorry boys, I don’t feel that this book will benefit you, but I do not discourage you from reading it. The roller coaster of humor, anger, and compassion will keep readers turning pages in Being Bee.

[McXine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living her life with her mum gone and only her dad, her Nanna, her two guinea pigs "Fifi and Lulu" , and her two "so called friends" around her.Beatrice -or Bee for short, went along well with this expriencing ride until her dad met Jazzi.She disliked Jazzi so much that an almost kind of tragedy was prevailed.But before all of this happpened,Bee found out a secret of Jazzi's that can never be revealed!Will Bee over come her hard times with Jazzi or will they end up being a happy family?It is all up to you to figure out what will happen on the exiting, yet exaggerating trip of life in Being Bee.

In the end, I loved this book so much that I'am willing to risk of it being known rather than being left all alone in an empty,lonely,bland,/i> bookshelf. If you read this book you'll understand more stuffs about how a child feels when their left with only one parent to live with.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being Bee is a transitional book written by Catherine Bateson that follows a young girl named Beatrice, Bee for short. After Bee's mother dies, Bee and her father are left to live by themselves along with Lulu and Fifi, Bee's guinea pigs. Bee's life is simple, until her dad's new girlfriend Jazzi comes into the picture.

Bee and Jazzi don't see eye to eye. When Jazzi's relationship with Bee's father gets serious, a lot of things in Bee's life begin to change. Bee begins having to do chores - and Bee hates chores. Lulu and Fifi are Bee's only escape from this strange new life she is getting used to with Jazzi now living with them. But when Jazzi shares a secret with Bee that not even Bee's dad knows, their relationship takes a turn.

This is a great book for older girls, especially for those girls who might be going through similar situations with their own families. The wide range of emotions keeps the reader hooked into the story. This is a page turner and I'd definitely recommend having it in a classroom or school library.

[Mckayla Pietrowski]

This book is about a little girl names Bee. She is raised by her father only until her dad decides to move into his girlfriends house. Bee is having troubles adjusting to the thought of her dad marrying Jazzi the new girlfriend and doesn't understand why this is happening to her. She just wants it to be her dad, her animals and her. After a while the relationship grows with Jazzi when she keeps her secret from her dad. She starts to warm up to her and trust her a little more. I think this book is very relatable because a lot of families are in situations like these. I like how the whole story was told from the perspective of Bee. You could really feel her emotions in the story. The cover was cool to look at because it seemed like they were her doodles on a piece of paper that she drew. I would recommend this book for 4th-5th graders. The ending was my favorite and it makes me happy to hear that she is enjoying her new family.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Bee is a book about a young girl living with her single father. He meets a young woman named Jazzi, and she quickly begins to appear in their house, cooking and cleaning and spending time with Bee's dad. Bee doesn't like Jazzi to begin with, and neither do her two guinea pigs Lulu and Fifi. Bee's friends begin to exclude her at school and she feels as though she has no one to turn to, until an encounter with Jazzi makes her believe that she isn't so bad after all.
This book is so sweet and just makes you smile. I first read it ages ago in about year 6, because I had always loved guinea pigs. I forgot about it and found it again and after I read it, I remembered why I liked it so much. The way Bee grows and matures and learns to embrace people who seem different to her is very comforting, and the lighthearted way Bateson writes really warms the heart.
I recommend this book to someone who is looking for a little bit of an easy read, and a sweet story that will make your day.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bee enjoys her relationship with her father; after all, it's been just the two of them since her mother died years ago. But now her father is dating Jazzi, and it looks like this new relationship might become permanent. Bee doesn't understand why things have to change and she's not happy with the time she is forced to spend with Jazzi. In addition, Bee's best friends at school have been acting weird and don't seem to like her anymore. Just as Bee thinks she might possibly like Jazzi, something happens to jeopardize the budding friendship.
Set in Australia, this story of a lonely girl on the fringes tugs at your heart. The author brings you right into Bee's world and her head. Realistic and sympathetic, Being Bee is filled with likable characters with whom readers can relate. Recommended for grades 4-6.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great, quick read about a little girl whose widowed father finds a new girlfriend, who eventually moves in. Beatrice (Bee) isn't so sure about this Jazzi person. She liked her life just fine when it was just her and her dad. Sure they ate a lot of peanut butter and pizza and not so many vegetables, and Bee always had to check the bread for mold before making a sandwich, but Bee knew she was the center of his world. And without a mom, that was comforting. Now dad's wanting alone time with Jazzi, and Jazzi is coming over to cook and making gross things like savory scones and fish and brown rice. Bateson perfectly captures the thoughts and words of a 9-year-old and her life. This would be great for kids going through similar situations.

[Adriana Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once Bee looses her mother, she gets super comfortable with it being just her, her dad, and her two guinea pigs, Fifi and Lulu. That's why when her dad meets Jazzi, Bee isn't thrilled at all. Her personality was different than she was used to so when her dad offers for Jazzi to move in with them, Bee doesn't like it one bit. Eventually Bee learned more about Jazzi and grows fawned of her. This humorous story of love and change is great for children and shows them that both change and love comes in many different forms.This transitional book is great for ages seven through ten and especially for students that are having a hard time at home dealing with change. Bee makes her story easy for children to relate to and keeps readers engaged with her humor.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was skeptical throughout this book because the beginning seemed sensationalized. The character Jazzi seemed a bit too unrealistic and the author didn't give me enough background info on her for the part she played. I didn't like how the father of Bee never showed growth in the story. He stayed very static and he should have learned from some of the wrong actions he took- ignoring his daughter in such a critical transition in their lives.

However, at the end, I found that the author definitely wanted the reader to focus in on the growing relationship between Bee and Jazzi. Some kids in similar situations may find this book to be right on target.

Guinea Pigs do rule!

[Salsabrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bee (Beatrice) isn’t too happy that her father’s new girlfriend Jazzi is spending so much time with them. Bee talks back to Jazzi and insists to her father that they have their own father/daughter time together. It’s not until Bee goes with Jazzi to visit Harley, Jazzi’s mentally disabled brother and until now a secret, that Bee begins to slowly accept her. Lib notes: There is a scene where Bee walks into her father’s bedroom and Jazzi screams and pulls up the sheets, plus the scenes where Bee is disgusted by the affection and kissing. But nothing graphic. Some may object to Jazzi sleeping over.

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it all though i would have liked to have got to know her mother and father a bit better but it general it was good. It was hard to predict what age she was- weather she was a bratty young teen or a 8 year old. There was a few pointless characters that had no meaning in the story but the plot kept me quite interested, enough in fact to want to read her other book-Millie and the night heron which is a slighlt longer and will hopefully go into some more detail about the characters. I'd recommend this.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story by Catherine Bateson that focuses on a little girl named Bee. Her mother has passed away and she is now only living with her father and her two guinea pigs. Then, Jazzi moves in, and it flips Bee's world over. Jazzi is hiding a big secret from Dad, which makes Bee feel more comfortable. This story would be great for young readers (middle elementary school), it is an easy read but a wonderful story! Bateson really makes all of the characters and their stories come to life in this short story.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bee isn't sure she likes her life being turned upside down by her Dad's girlfriend - especially when she moves in with them!

I loved the character of Bee. To me, she was completely believable as a girl who may or may not want a stepmom and who alternately likes and dislikes her dad's girlfriend. I felt a lot like Bee when my divorced parents started dating again. I really think the author captured it.

[Ilovereading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this book! It was a very precious read about a struggling protagonist, Beatrice, Bee for short, who is a young girl determined not to like her father's new wife. To see my full review, visit:

http://icysweetness.webs.com/apps/blo...

I review preteen, teen, young adult, and adult fiction on my book review website. I look forward to seeing you there, becoming a member, and commenting on my posts! Thanks.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story wasn't bad, but it certainly wasn't anything spectacular either. Bee (Beatrice) struggles to get along with her dad's new girlfriend, Jazzi, and talks to her guinea pigs when she feels like no one understands her problems. There was really nothing unique or interesting about this book at all--introduction, conflict, resolution, end. I'm ready for something stimulating now.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because it didn't have one of those endings that suggested everything is all "happily ever after". Instead it suggested that there was hope and that the new "family" would be okay if everybody was willing to put a little work into it. The main theme of the story is that the Dad's girlfriends moves in and starts changing things.

[Anthony Kline · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would not understand the feelings the little girl has but I could see her reaction. She was fully use to one part of life, then some random girl comes in and lives with her dad. She feels like her dad was going to leave or just not be her dad anymore. This is a situation alot of children have to deal with so I think this is a good book.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Modern Judy Blume - honest, funny, insightful.

Young girl whose mother died when she was young must suddenly adjust to her father's girlfriend, Jazzy. The adults are nuanced and never perfect (but never abusive or awful, either); Bee's reactions and petulance ring true.

[Becky Barrier Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for 3rd through 5th grade girls. With humor and empathy follows Bee as she deals with Jazzi moving in with her single Dad and herself. The challenges of a mixed family are presented realistically. Jazzi's mentally challenged brother adds a dimension of the importance of acceptance.

[Kesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale about the makings of a nuclear family with Beatrice (Bee), her father, and his girlfriend (Jazzi) learning to blend. Bee learns Jazzi's secret and they slowly reveal the details needed to unite as a family. A quick read about transitions.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most interesting part of this story was Jazzi's relationship with her brother. The way she was secretive about it, cared for him, the bad incident from their childhood... and how Bee figured it all out.