Honey Bea

by Kim L. Siegelson

After turning thirteen, life on the Louisiana plantation for young Beatrice becomes difficult and confusing when her master starts showing her special attention, certain secrets about her past come to the surface, and strange things begin taking place all around her.

Genres: Historical Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Fabiola · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that I read for February is called “Honey Bea” by Kim L. Siegelson. I did really like this book a lot because it goes all the way back to where slavery started. In the story, it starts as Abeille, a french slave, who she works with her niece Ara. Ara, who is pregnant has begun to give birth. She gives birth to twins, a boy and girl but the boy was a stillborn and died. After giving birth, you lose all your powers and it is then passed down to the children. The mother wanted her daughter to pass because she does not want her to be a slave just like she is. The newborn daughter is named Beatrice. My favorite character from the book would be Abeille because she knows a lot about powers and she is strict but she cares a lot about her family. In the book she prepared the burial of the stillborn boy she created a ritual for the baby to fix the baby boy in his grave. In the book it states, “Lit a candle and shook a rattle over the boy, bathed him, with twigs and herbs along drew a cross on his forehead before wrapping him with a white cloth.” I thought that was really nice to do because the mother did not really care that her baby boy was dead. My least favorite character would be Beatrice’s mother, Ara, because she did not care that her baby was dead as well that she took her life away because her husband died. In the book it states, “Ara couldn’t look at him, she felt heavy as stone.”

[Toni Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enter the lush and scary world of magiic — a kind of dark magic that enters the lives of three generations of creole female slaves on a sugar cane plantation in Louisiana. They are related by blood to the master who controls every aspect of their lives. Of course the overarching question is: Will some of the slaves get the freedom they desire? I think this book deserves more attention and would make an excellent movie.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unusual story, rather different than one would expect from the rather sweetly childish cover art. The author has woven voodoo magic into a gripping historical tale. Good for middle schoolers.

[Marcie Marzullo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the symbolism and relevancy that mirrors the challenges today.

[Liaken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely. The author weaves together so many pieces, and does so, for the most part, seamlessly. There were a couple of snags, but really, I was fascinated. What an unusual story! I give it five stars for captivating me. I read it in two sittings, the first yesterday morning, the second this morning. I just couldn't put it down. The ending was strange and unexpected, but then, so much of the story was unexpected. I wished for more detail, more understanding of everything, but then, I also adored the simplicity of the telling. It was "just enough." And beautiful. And I do like stories with bees.

[Tiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book there is a young woman named Ara who has a daughter named Bea. This young girl has magical powers to see the future but she doesn't know how to use them. She lives with her great aunt on a plantation. She hates staying there and hopes to soon one day be set free from it all. She hated being on that plantation. Her aunt begins to teach her how to use her powers(visions).
I think this book is teaching you to always be thankful for the gifts that God gives you he wont give you anything that you cannot use or live with.

Tiana Ward

[Jasmine Montanez · Rating 2 out of 5]

it wasnt that bad it was good