The Summer We Saved the Bees

by Robin Stevenson

How do you plan for the future when your own parents don't believe you have one?

Wolf’s mother is obsessed with saving the world’s honeybees, so it’s not too surprising when she announces that she’s taking her Save the Bees show on the road—with the whole family. Wolf thinks it’s a terrible plan, and not just because he’ll have to wear a bee costume—in public. He likes his alternative school and hates the idea of missing weeks of classes. His teenage stepsister doesn’t want to leave her boyfriend, and one of his little half sisters has stopped talking altogether, but Wolf’s mom doesn’t seem to notice. She’s convinced that the world is doomed unless ordinary people take extraordinary action. It isn’t until the kids take some drastic action of their own that she is forced to listen when Wolf tells her that dragging the family around the province in a beat-up Ford panel van may not be the best idea she ever had.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Environment, Contemporary, Canada, Young Adult, Childrens

227 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

Robin Stevenson is the award winning author of over thirty books of fiction and non-fiction for kids and teens. Her books have received starred reviews and have won the Silver Birch Award, the Sheila A. Egoff award and a Stonewall Honor, and been finalists for the Governor General’s Literary Awards, the Lambda Literary Awards, and many reader’s choice awards. Robin was the Book and Periodical Council of Canada’s Champion of Free Expression for 2022, and received the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Literary Excellence in 2023. She lives on the west coast of Canada.

Reviews

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when someone you love cares so passionately and fervently about something? So much so that they forget the needs of their loved ones, and trample over their loved ones’ feelings and concerns. That’s the situation Wolf is in when his mother and dad decide the family is going on a road trip, but not for a vacation. The family will be stopping in small towns and cities across Canada and educating people on the plight of bees through performance art.
Wolf is conflicted about this mission, and deeply concerned about one of his younger sisters, who is no longer speaking and looks scared, thanks to their mother’s impassioned speeches about all life ending on the planet without bees.
The family drama plays out painfully as the children’s needs and feelings collide with their mother’s strong beliefs, and the author shows us how Wolf and his sisters experience the conflict. While the mother was difficult to sympathize with, Wolf is wonderfully drawn and easy to root for in this fairly fast and enjoyable story.

[Michelle (FabBookReviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canadian author Robin Stevenson is a writer whose novels I always look forward to reading. In contemporary YA novels such as Escape Velocity, Hummingbird Heart, and The World Without Us, Stevenson has explored a diverse roster of topics (everything from depression and attempted suicide to absentee parents) with nuanced and compelling teenage characters. In The Summer We Saved the Bees, we follow the fascinating narrative of Wolf, a twelve-year old with an inordinately heavy load on his shoulders. His scarily single-minded mom's latest mission involves the fight to save the world's honeybees from extinction. The only thing is that her plan involves yanking Wolf and his sisters out of school and forcing the entire family (somewhat blank stepdad included) on a cross-Canada road trip to spread the word about the demise of planet earth.

Stevenson has crafted such an interesting and complex story here with layers of raw emotion and surprise- against a rather timely backdrop of global environmental concern. I was completely hooked into Wolf's voice and the story from the get-go- and that pull didn't let up until the end of story. On the surface of it, it sounds as though Wolf's mom, Jade, is on to a noble cause: isn't it a good thing that she is so eco-conscious, stringently green, and fighting for the planet? Isn't it great that she wants all of her children to be involved and fighting for such a global issue? As readers become more exposed to how Wolf and his sisters struggle to be heard over Jade's increasingly erratic and potentially harmful demands, however, we discover just how deep the cracks in Wolf's family run.

The Summer We Saved the Bees is, I think, Stevenson's strongest work yet in an already great catalogue of work. Beautifully written, moving, and covering harsh realities of one boy's life, this is very strong read and one I definitely recommend. Readers who like their contemporary Canadian lit, those interested in smart and original contemporary middle-grade/YA, or those who like the writing of authors such as Susan Juby, Tom Ryan, Vikki VanSickle or Susin Nielsen may especially enjoy this novel.

[Sam Kellar-long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf's mother is obsessed with bees. Yep, bees. So this summer, his mom decides to take him, his 3 sisters and his stepfather on a tour around the U.S and Canada to raise awareness about bees dying and how it's affecting the world. Sounds fun, right? But Wolf has to wear an embarrassing bee costume. Not fun. His younger sister Whisper doesn't talk and keeps having meltdowns. Less fun. His older sister Violet runs away with her boyfriend. Even less fun. His mom is so serious about saving the bees that she doesn't take his opinions into consideration. The lack of fun is so big it's almost funny. But what can you do when you don't have the courage to tell your mother that you have different opinions?
This book was funny, interesting and just plain out entertaining. I liked that it felt like it was aimed at an adult audience while actually having a child protagonist. I felt really smart reading it and I do not know why. I did not have high hopes for this book because I had just picked it up for free at school, but after reading the beginning, I couldn't put it down. I would recommend this book to everyone. It is physically imposible not to enjoy this book. Read it. Now.

[Kelly]

The title and cover design made this book jump off the shelves for me when I was at the library. It's the first YA book I've read in a while and brought me back to my childhood bookworm days :)

Bullet points because my brain is struggling with writing rn:

- from the POV of a 12/13-year-old boy Wolf, I really enjoyed his affectionate and protective relationship with his younger twin sisters... especially Whisper who as her nickname suggests is an incredibly sensitive and quiet child.

- wonderfully captures how youth pick up on relationship dynamics, external and internal anxieties, and changes even if they don't have the language/skills to articulate this or are learning to do so
- such great lessons and reminders about communication, listening, and working to name difficult emotions

- a quick accessible story about how world systems and events (in this case the present and looming climate crisis) truely EFFECTS people, cause fear and anxiety, and propel people into different forms of action or inaction

[ChronicallyReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really cute book that promotes a good message.
Time to save the hecking bees.

[Emmeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid three star book for me. I was worried at first about the direction that the book was taking but in the end the ending won for me. The characters were very flat I felt, and the description a little forced, but the overall message was good and clear!

[Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great, quick read -- aimed at younger readers (older elementary school/early middle school) -- and lovingly portrays the eco-activists of the Gulf Islands/South Island area of BC (coincidentally my home). It is always nice to read about familiar places, but more than that I really felt an ache for Wolf, the boy at the centre of the conflict in this book, torn between helping his Mom with her campaign and looking out for his younger sisters (and himself) as her plan uproots them.

[A Ahmad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book, Another look!

I rate this book 5/5 stars because the characters have such strong personalities, and I love how Wolf’s mother is passionate about bees. He cares too, but he isn’t overly obsessive about it, which makes his character feel real and relatable.

Wolf has three siblings—one stepsibling and two half-siblings. They all want to run away because their mom has become so obsessed with bees that she’s dragging them along with her.

Wolf doesn’t want to hurt his mom’s feelings, but he knows he needs to tell her that they don’t care about bees as much as she does. As they try to escape, even more problems arise, making the story even more exciting.

I highly recommend this book—it’s truly amazing! I’m almost finished, and I know this won’t be a one-time read for me. I’ll definitely come back to it again.

Here’s a quick take on the characters:

Wolf – A great brother.

Vi – She has her moments, but she still cares.

Saffron – Talks a lot.

Whisper – Doesn’t talk at all.

Overall, this is a fantastic book, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
But one thing I do wanna say, I wish the ending was better, like Vi was with them.
Truth be told, I know she loves all of them.
I didn't get that she had to leave.
She might say that "I was protecting them" or "I also wanna live my own life"
Like Girl, that won't happen, you will always be the older one.
Wolf, Saffron, and Whisper all look up at her.
Also, She's going through her teenage phase.

WELLL HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED THIS REVIEWW

NOW BACK TO READINGGG!
XOXO,
GOSSIP GIRL

[Claudia Bishop · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book overall. It was a pretty easy book to read so it only took me two days to read it, so I think it would be great for 4th- 7th graders. I loved that it was from Wolf's POV because he always seemed like he felt like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders even though he was only 12/13 years old. Wolf was always going back and forth between thinking his Mom may be right about the world ending if the bees died and thinking maybe she is a little bit exaggerated about the matter. You could feel Wolf's frustration throughout the whole book and teens could definitely relate to him. The only reason I gave the book a 3 star is because of how open ended the book was. I would have liked to see what happened to Violet. Did she come home? Or did she end up staying with Ty? I would have also liked to see what happened after that 1 week of traveling and doing the "save the bees" performances, and how Duncan and Wolf's website turned out. Finally, I wish there was more to Whisper than what was shown. We only really know that she is quiet, doesn't like loud noises, and is a picky eater. I was really hoping to see Whisper have a break through and start to speak up, so that kind of disappointed me. Other than that, it was a pretty good book and I can't wait to see some more of Robin's work!

[Kelly Mangan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story about children being forced to grow up too fast. In my life, I have known people EXACTLY like Jade (my own stepmom was very similar), and I have seen how their ideologies & extremism harms their children. No child should be forced to become a “warrior” for their parent’s cause (whether one agrees with that cause or not).

All of the children in this story are so well-developed developed: these characters with rich & varied personalities. Their reactions to the same situations— while all different— felt entirely realistic. I loved the how the relationship evolved between “selfless” Wolf and “selfish” Violet— and the exploration of both of those ideas: is hope & wanting a life & home of your own truly selfish? Or is it merely self-care?

I think this book has a lot of important things to say about parental negligence & zealotry. I’m glad it exists. Because kids need to have the freedom to be kids, to choose their own paths in life, and to be activists in their own way.

[LybGyde · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was actually an okay book. I was going to give it a 3-star rating even though some of the plot was a little shaky on believability. But then there was an abrupt character change in Mom at the end where she gave up on her hardcore obsession to spend the entire summer on the bee campaign that totally ruined it for me because it seemed either the editor had cut the book off before there was a sad or bad ending OR the author threw in a happily ever after at the last second without really thinking it through. This character change in Mom didn’t even happen after Wolf (son) explained he felt abandoned by her but rather when Wolf pointed out that Curtis (stepdad) really wasn’t doing anything to help with the bee campaign and therefore Curtis should be the one to take care of the twins on the road.

[Carolina Santana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one with 6th and 7th graders as a book club choice. Since English is the second language of all of the children and they had different levels of comprehension, this was the perfect choice. It was delightful and engaging, we laughed and we got mad. It’s a beautiful book about coming of age, speaking up our minds, choosing our battles and above of all... about family. One of the girls was extremely happy because the book wasn’t portraying a happy and perfect family, but one that (I think) we can all relate somehow. 4 stars because the ending left lots of open questions. But I’d recommend it.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost gave up early on in this book. I didn't want to read a whole book about such a dysfunctional family, shouting at each other all the time. I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did.

Wolf was a good narrator. As a young teen, he was also a good caregiver to his 5-year-old twin half-sisters. At times, it seemed he had been thrust into this role by his mother and stepfather. Wolf's mother is so involved in her passion to save the bees that she doesn't hear or see anything or anyone else.

By the end, it did seem the family was on a path towards better understanding and acceptance, but no one seemed to have changed or grown very much.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

My book is about a boy named wolf and his family decides to go out for the whole summer to save the bees. He is sad about leaving his friend but soon through out the trip he realizes he misses home and wants to go back. His sister is planning on running away but he feels bad leaving. He tries to take his sisters but they are younger then him so he doesn't know what he should do. The book was no that interesting but still good.

[torikiii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. It was for my social studies class though, but it was interesting to follow and see some key concepts of the course. Also I like the characters in it: for me they looked like those teenagers who try to find themselves and their future in this fast developing world. Good book!

[Nikki M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not what I expected it to be. I was surprised by my attachment to the character wolf. He was so endearing and wise for a young boy.
My take away is that above any societal cause is the importance of family and individual needs.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

[Erica Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many metaphors in this book,and it makes you realize that all the characters intentions are so different from their actions.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel had a lot of heart. The fifth grader and I both really enjoyed it.

[Belen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. It stirred emotion and opinions out of the reader.

[Sophia Stouzas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love bees and this book is Amazing and is about how too save the bees

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of deep concepts but on too superficial of a level. My 5th graders agree.

[Bryce]

ok

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Wolf’s character, and his relationship with his siblings. Always fun to read a novel in a setting I’m personally familiar with.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it in one day. Was cute 🤷‍♀️

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun summer read about Wolf and his family as they travel around Canada with their mom's bee show.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story, well-paced and it kept my interest throughout.

I thought there would be a lot of information about bees and colony collapse disorder, but the story is more about family and establishing boundaries and standing up for yourself than it is about the environment. As a mom, the adults in this story infuriated me, but I know my 12 or 13 year old self would have loved this.

[Michael ಠ_ಠ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book even though it didn't exactly keep my on the edge of my seat the whole time. Cool book about adventure and science and the environment.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a winner of this book through GoodReads First Reads Giveaways!

Wolf is a twelve year old boy with two younger twin sisters named Saffron and Whisper, and a fifteen year old step sister named Violet. Wolf's mother is a very radical environmental activist, and is determined to spread word to save the bees of the world, to keep our ecosystem running the way that it should. She and her husband Curtis decide to take the whole family on a summer road trip dedicated to raising awareness; this includes dragging them out of school to do so.

Wolf knows that saving the bees and raising awareness about the issue is important, but he gradually becomes more and more concerned with his mother and their family when she seems more wrapped up in traveling and their presentations than them. Whisper hasn't spoken a word since they've left, and she used to hardly speak at all. Their mother becomes frustrated with their needs and complaints, insisting that saving the bees means they get to grow up to have a future; she seems convinced that if the problem doesn't change soon, her children won't live to see adulthood.

This book was definitely a great read, and I finished it in just a night and a morning. Wolf is a great character. I also loved his teacher, Katie, and Wolf's mother's friends, Eva and Mary, who the family stays with for a couple of days at the beginning of their journey.

Although not likely common, this situation is something that I'm sure some families struggle with; families that are over their heads involved with some kind of activity that overpowers their time and care for each other. Wolf faces some hard choices and decisions in this book, torn two ways between his loyalty for his mother and family, their dedication to the bee project, and the well-being of himself and his siblings. This book felt very real to me, and I enjoyed it a lot.

[Tanya Kyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun and quirky novel about an eco-extreme mom who sews costumes for her children and sets off across the country to do performance art, save the bees, and save the world. The book is narrated by tween son Wolf, who — though dedicated to the continued pollination of plants — would rather not appear in public dressed as a bug.

I loved the book, mostly because with just a small increase in my anxiety level, and a tiny decrease in my inhibitions, I could be that mom. I am one mild brain injury away from buying a camper van and setting off for the legislature to do performance art about seismically upgrading BC schools.

Wouldn’t it be effective if we took all the kids at risk of being crushed by their schools and lined them up like dead bodies on the legislature lawn?

Um… yes, I do realize the issues with that, and don’t really want to petrify and/or mortify my children, and therefore will not be enlisting them as performance artists anytime soon. But here’s to all the moms who desperately want to save the bees/schools/world in any way possible.

The book’s a fantastic read, even if you’re not as neurotic as I am.