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How to Bee
For 8-13 year olds - and all those who love middle grade fiction.
Peony lives with her sister and grandfather on a fruit farm outside the city. In a world where real bees are extinct, the quickest, bravest kids climb the fruit trees and pollinate the flowers by hand.
Will Peony's grit and quick thinking be enough to keep her safe?
A story about family, loyalty, kindness and bravery, set against an all-too possible future where climate change has forever changed the way we live.
Peony lives with her sister and grandfather on a fruit farm outside the city. In a world where real bees are extinct, the quickest, bravest kids climb the fruit trees and pollinate the flowers by hand.
Will Peony's grit and quick thinking be enough to keep her safe?
A story about family, loyalty, kindness and bravery, set against an all-too possible future where climate change has forever changed the way we live.
213 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2017
72 people are currently reading
1174 people want to read
About the author
Bren MacDibble
28 books82 followersBren lives in Kalbarri on the amazing Coral Coast of Western Australia.
Her first children's novel: How to Bee (2017) won multiple awards, The Dog Runner (2019) and Across the Risen Sea (2020) also won and were shortlisted in multiple awards. The Raven's Song (2022) written with the amazing award-winning Zana Fraillon, has recently been launched.
All her novels are packed full of wild adventures and feature children surviving environmentally changed futures. They are stories that don't mask the realities of the world children see all around them, but do offer hope, safe fictional exploration of climate issues and examples of resilience.
Bren grew up on the land in NZ, and hopes that while children enjoy these wild adventures with colourful characters, they're also acquiring ideas and language to express themselves in whatever future awaits. "It's only by talking about it that children can express their fears and develop the critical thinking they'll need to create the solutions in the future. The natural instinct to turn away from difficult discussions has not served us well so far.'
Her first children's novel: How to Bee (2017) won multiple awards, The Dog Runner (2019) and Across the Risen Sea (2020) also won and were shortlisted in multiple awards. The Raven's Song (2022) written with the amazing award-winning Zana Fraillon, has recently been launched.
All her novels are packed full of wild adventures and feature children surviving environmentally changed futures. They are stories that don't mask the realities of the world children see all around them, but do offer hope, safe fictional exploration of climate issues and examples of resilience.
Bren grew up on the land in NZ, and hopes that while children enjoy these wild adventures with colourful characters, they're also acquiring ideas and language to express themselves in whatever future awaits. "It's only by talking about it that children can express their fears and develop the critical thinking they'll need to create the solutions in the future. The natural instinct to turn away from difficult discussions has not served us well so far.'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 276 reviews
July 30, 2022
Wonderful story.
In a bleak future in Australia in the Goulburn Valley, there are no more bees. Peony and her best friend AJ aspire to be Bees where they climb the trees with their pollen covered wands and fertilise all the fruit blossoms. A hard, poor life, but one Peony loves with her Gramps and sister.
But Peony's mum has moved to the city with the Urbs and wants her to come work there with her, but has to be forcefully dragged there. There is lots of sadness, some death, some lessons and lots of love to make this another wonderful Australian young fiction story.
I loved it.
In a bleak future in Australia in the Goulburn Valley, there are no more bees. Peony and her best friend AJ aspire to be Bees where they climb the trees with their pollen covered wands and fertilise all the fruit blossoms. A hard, poor life, but one Peony loves with her Gramps and sister.
But Peony's mum has moved to the city with the Urbs and wants her to come work there with her, but has to be forcefully dragged there. There is lots of sadness, some death, some lessons and lots of love to make this another wonderful Australian young fiction story.
I loved it.
February 10, 2019
A cute little story about a world in which there are no more bees. A dystopian fiction set after 'the great famine' in which farms are using whole families to work them. Children climb trees to do the work of the bees in pollinating the buds and scaring off birds and pests in an effort to produce fruit that they can neither eat, nor afford. The cities are full of starving people begging for a morsel while the rich live in their big houses behind their tall walls. Targeting young readers the story does delve into a little bit of domestic violence and I am not sure how I felt about that but still a great read and a little nostalgic for me remembering my younger days of working on farms, picking and packing fruit and vegetables, the pruning seasons and the cold and never having quite enough to pay the bills!
4 stars.
4 stars.
September 9, 2018
LINK UPDATED
Since the bees died out, people have taken over their role, with kids climbing up among the branches to pollinate the flowers. Because without bees, everything else starts to fall apart. Without bees, there would be no fresh fruits and vegetables, and the whole circle of life would be in trouble.
Peony is a pest (one who picks insects from the fruit and gives them to her chooks, which in turn give the family eggs), who longs so terribly much to “bee”.
She loves her farm, and the circle of life she sees there. She loves her grandfather, her sister Mags (Magnolia), and her best friend Applejoy. She relishes the simple joys in her life.
The rest of this review can be found HERE!
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Pre-Review
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Review to come.
ADORED this one!
Fantastic command of the English language, and I was completely lost in Peony's story... Forgot I was reading a book.
Since the bees died out, people have taken over their role, with kids climbing up among the branches to pollinate the flowers. Because without bees, everything else starts to fall apart. Without bees, there would be no fresh fruits and vegetables, and the whole circle of life would be in trouble.
The farm’s full of circles. Bees, flowers, fruit. Pests, chooks, eggs. People, bees, flowers, fruit, pests, chooks, eggs, people…all overlapping circles. I don’t understand how it went before the famine. Poison? That’s like cutting the circles right through the middle. The circle can’t go nowhere but a dead end. No wonder the little bees stopped working and left us to starve.
Peony is a pest (one who picks insects from the fruit and gives them to her chooks, which in turn give the family eggs), who longs so terribly much to “bee”.
Chooks is born being chooks and that’s all they’ll ever be. Not like a dog, which could be a sheep dog, or a cow dog, or a guard dog, or a dog that pulls a blind person around. Not like a girl that’s born in a shed and crawls around in the dirt till she learns to be a pest, and then could be a bee or a bagger or picker, or even a foreman one day.
She loves her farm, and the circle of life she sees there. She loves her grandfather, her sister Mags (Magnolia), and her best friend Applejoy. She relishes the simple joys in her life.
The work lets up as the summer goes on, and Foreman puts a pig on a roasting spit to celebrate. I dunno what’s higher than a king, but holding a hunk of fine oat bun with a pile of white baked meat, soft and falling apart in my mouth, juice running down my chin, I’m eating like that. Higher than a king.
The rest of this review can be found HERE!
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Pre-Review
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Review to come.
ADORED this one!
Fantastic command of the English language, and I was completely lost in Peony's story... Forgot I was reading a book.
July 14, 2017
I expected to like this book - Bren is a talented writer and Allen & Unwin consistently produce quality books for younger readers. However, I didn't know I was going to love this book so much. It really hits all the right beats and it made me sob more than once, and laugh out loud at times, and uses its setting - a near future Australia that verges on dystopic but doesn't quite tip over the edge - to excellent advantage.
Our protagonist, Peony, is not even 10 years old, and one of the best things about the book is the consistency of her world view. She behaves in a manner appropriate to her age and environment, and I loved that about her. She is feisty and determined, clever and kind, but strong-willed and stubborn as well. MacDibble surrounds her with characters of all shades of grey, not letting sentiment get in the way of story and allowing the reader to experience the full range of Peony's emotions.
Not only do we get a well-paced story, it is underpinned by some beautiful - and slightly frightening - worldbuilding, essential to the narrative and somewhat of a cautionary tale to the reader. This framework, supporting as it does a cracking yarn, will make How to Bee a fantastic text for readers to examine in schools, with depths to unpack and explore.
I really can't recommend this enough for readers of 9 and upwards, and if this isn't on a bunch of awards lists next year I'll be absolutely astonished (and cranky, too, because it deserves to be!).
Our protagonist, Peony, is not even 10 years old, and one of the best things about the book is the consistency of her world view. She behaves in a manner appropriate to her age and environment, and I loved that about her. She is feisty and determined, clever and kind, but strong-willed and stubborn as well. MacDibble surrounds her with characters of all shades of grey, not letting sentiment get in the way of story and allowing the reader to experience the full range of Peony's emotions.
Not only do we get a well-paced story, it is underpinned by some beautiful - and slightly frightening - worldbuilding, essential to the narrative and somewhat of a cautionary tale to the reader. This framework, supporting as it does a cracking yarn, will make How to Bee a fantastic text for readers to examine in schools, with depths to unpack and explore.
I really can't recommend this enough for readers of 9 and upwards, and if this isn't on a bunch of awards lists next year I'll be absolutely astonished (and cranky, too, because it deserves to be!).
January 6, 2021
Trigger Warnings: Domestic abuse, gender stereotyping, reality doses.
Spoilers in review, be warned.
This was a book I had to read for a class assignment. Sigh..
I didn't enjoy this book. At all. It's a book about being your own individual self essentially. Poor world vs rich world dynamics. Growing up vs childhood.
The stupidity that led me to DNF this book (first DNF of the year woohoo! (note the sarcasm)) was the fact that the girl's mother keeps dragging her to the city and essentially kidnaps her to go to the city forcibly to: "lead a better life, and have a good family".
Woman, you're abused by your spouse, and you're telling me your kid would be happy living in a situation like that?
I am sorry for her being domestically abused and I would love to have helped her had she been real...but seriously do not drag other innocent people in a situation where you essentially, woman, cannot get out of it yourself. It's just being cruel to the kid in general.
And I cannot support that. I am sorry but I cannot sympathise with the girl's mother aside from the domestic abuse situation.
Until the next read,
TMR
Spoilers in review, be warned.
This was a book I had to read for a class assignment. Sigh..
I didn't enjoy this book. At all. It's a book about being your own individual self essentially. Poor world vs rich world dynamics. Growing up vs childhood.
The stupidity that led me to DNF this book (first DNF of the year woohoo! (note the sarcasm)) was the fact that the girl's mother keeps dragging her to the city and essentially kidnaps her to go to the city forcibly to: "lead a better life, and have a good family".
Woman, you're abused by your spouse, and you're telling me your kid would be happy living in a situation like that?
I am sorry for her being domestically abused and I would love to have helped her had she been real...but seriously do not drag other innocent people in a situation where you essentially, woman, cannot get out of it yourself. It's just being cruel to the kid in general.
And I cannot support that. I am sorry but I cannot sympathise with the girl's mother aside from the domestic abuse situation.
Until the next read,
TMR
July 13, 2017
Nine year old Peony aspires to become a Bee, a member of the team of children who hand pollinate the orchards at the Goulburn Valley plantation. Peony and sister Magnolia live with their ageing grandfather while their mother migrated to the city, supporting the family to purchase medicine and trade for the ferocious winter season. The Goulburn Valley community is responsible for producing fresh produce for wealthy, urban residents.
Peony is a perceptive and ambitious young lady, agile and slight, the perfect candidate to be awarded with the prestigious delegation of Bee. Peony and Magnolia share a wonderful relationship, their grandfather a tender and gentle man guiding two wonderful young ladies in the absence of their mother. The Goulburn Valley community is considerate, compassionate and although physically exhausting, the orchard is an invaluable resource.
Peony and Magnolia's mother is a woman who is effortlessly manipulated. Rosie relinquished her responsibilities and migrated to the urban district to provide for her family. Returning to Goulburn Valley, Rosie insists Peony accompany her, expected to serve a wealthy urban family. Peony is inconsolable. Rosie has embarked on a new relationship with a degenerate and violent man, examining domestic violence, child endangerment and parental neglect. The friendship between Peony and Esmeralda is endearing. Esmeralda is the daughter of Peony's new employer who experiences social agoraphobia. Through compassion, Peony and Esmeralda reach an understanding. Peony will encourage Esmeralda to alleviate her anxiety and sequentially, Peony will return to Goulburn Valley.
The honey bee is obsolete, famine resulted in the decimation of organic pollination and How To Bee introduces middle grade readers to the environmental impact human development, pesticides, disease and climate change have affected populations. Displaced families throughout the urban district are living below the poverty line, at Goulburn Valley, families reside in meagre dwellings and although the sense of community is wonderfully portrayed, the socioeconomic divide is prevalent. Displaced and forcibly removed from the Goulburn Valley environment, the narrative may also be perceived as a gentle reminder of Australia's colonisation.
How To Bee is enchanting and atmospheric. Captivating until the final page.
Peony is a perceptive and ambitious young lady, agile and slight, the perfect candidate to be awarded with the prestigious delegation of Bee. Peony and Magnolia share a wonderful relationship, their grandfather a tender and gentle man guiding two wonderful young ladies in the absence of their mother. The Goulburn Valley community is considerate, compassionate and although physically exhausting, the orchard is an invaluable resource.
Peony and Magnolia's mother is a woman who is effortlessly manipulated. Rosie relinquished her responsibilities and migrated to the urban district to provide for her family. Returning to Goulburn Valley, Rosie insists Peony accompany her, expected to serve a wealthy urban family. Peony is inconsolable. Rosie has embarked on a new relationship with a degenerate and violent man, examining domestic violence, child endangerment and parental neglect. The friendship between Peony and Esmeralda is endearing. Esmeralda is the daughter of Peony's new employer who experiences social agoraphobia. Through compassion, Peony and Esmeralda reach an understanding. Peony will encourage Esmeralda to alleviate her anxiety and sequentially, Peony will return to Goulburn Valley.
The honey bee is obsolete, famine resulted in the decimation of organic pollination and How To Bee introduces middle grade readers to the environmental impact human development, pesticides, disease and climate change have affected populations. Displaced families throughout the urban district are living below the poverty line, at Goulburn Valley, families reside in meagre dwellings and although the sense of community is wonderfully portrayed, the socioeconomic divide is prevalent. Displaced and forcibly removed from the Goulburn Valley environment, the narrative may also be perceived as a gentle reminder of Australia's colonisation.
How To Bee is enchanting and atmospheric. Captivating until the final page.
May 3, 2017
An exceptional example of the use of sophisticated language for the 8-12 age group. How to Bee is a compelling and immersive read with engaging characters. Set in a recognisable, plausible future world that is neither as unlikely nor terror-filled as one might expect from the cli-fi genre. I read it incredibly slowly to savour the poetry of the scene-setting and dialogue, my 13 year old powered through it at speed to find out what would happen to Peony and her aspirations of bee-hood. Very highly recommended.
May 27, 2017
I grew up on a vast orchard with acres of fruit trees, changing seasons and of course bees. This book brought back memories of the hard work we did as children from the age of five, carrying boxes, picking up prunings, wrap packing fruit, making up boxes, labelling etc. Although How to Bee is set in a near cli-fi future, the setting is authentic in it's specificity, the characters real and the family dynamics genuine.
The gentle unfolding of the story wraps the reader in a world where one small child finds a power within herself to follow her dream. Peony is a charming narrator with a unique and endearing voice. Her desire to become a bee is unwavering in the face of adversity, as she fights for her freedom, her goal and most of all...her family.
You really must read this book.
I give Bren MacDibble a standing ovation.
The gentle unfolding of the story wraps the reader in a world where one small child finds a power within herself to follow her dream. Peony is a charming narrator with a unique and endearing voice. Her desire to become a bee is unwavering in the face of adversity, as she fights for her freedom, her goal and most of all...her family.
You really must read this book.
I give Bren MacDibble a standing ovation.
October 18, 2017
Honestly, when the back cover blurb advises you of the way you will feel after reading the story within, reservations begin to pool but in this instance, every word is true. Peony, the young heroine - and she really is in every sense of the word - in MacDibble's gripping middle grade novel, radiates tenacity, kindness and sass so loudly, her voice really will be resounding long after you read the last page.
This is a brave story set in Australia in the not-too-distant future but has global implications that allow readers to feel as though they could be anywhere on the planet despite the odd geographical reference. Peony lives with her sister and aging grandfather on a fruit farm. Her chief aspiration is to be a Bee - the bravest, most nimble of farm workers who flit from tree to tree pollinating flowers by hand. If this sounds like a concept that is slightly askew, by the time you've experience MacDibble's palpably natural narrative, it'll be one you are thoroughly familiar if not comfortable with. Could this be the end of the world as we know it or, as I'd rather believe, just another notable chapter in the history of humans being humans - badly.
Whatever your take on climate change and the way we treat the planet, How to Bee, never wallows in despair or hindsight and neither does Peony. When she is taken from her home by a mother who aspires more than just the meager country existence the rest of her family and friends endure, her brassy drive and cast-iron determination draw her right back to the home she loves, like a bee to its hive. But not before she spreads a little hope and good sense in the big scary city.
This story will make you grin, cheer, cry just a bit and want to fly with Peony as she Bees. It's about being true to yourself, to those who love you, about living your dreams wildly and the profound power of friendship. It could also quite possible change your whole outlook of and appreciation for fruit. More highly recommended than an apple a day.
This is a brave story set in Australia in the not-too-distant future but has global implications that allow readers to feel as though they could be anywhere on the planet despite the odd geographical reference. Peony lives with her sister and aging grandfather on a fruit farm. Her chief aspiration is to be a Bee - the bravest, most nimble of farm workers who flit from tree to tree pollinating flowers by hand. If this sounds like a concept that is slightly askew, by the time you've experience MacDibble's palpably natural narrative, it'll be one you are thoroughly familiar if not comfortable with. Could this be the end of the world as we know it or, as I'd rather believe, just another notable chapter in the history of humans being humans - badly.
Whatever your take on climate change and the way we treat the planet, How to Bee, never wallows in despair or hindsight and neither does Peony. When she is taken from her home by a mother who aspires more than just the meager country existence the rest of her family and friends endure, her brassy drive and cast-iron determination draw her right back to the home she loves, like a bee to its hive. But not before she spreads a little hope and good sense in the big scary city.
This story will make you grin, cheer, cry just a bit and want to fly with Peony as she Bees. It's about being true to yourself, to those who love you, about living your dreams wildly and the profound power of friendship. It could also quite possible change your whole outlook of and appreciation for fruit. More highly recommended than an apple a day.
January 8, 2022
My heart! Precious lil Peony Bee!
UPDATE: 05/01/2019
So after sitting and thinking for almost half a day about this book, I've realised my review doesn't encompass just how much I love this book. It's currently my second favourite book (which for me is a massive deal considering my top 5 hasn't changed for at least 5 years). This book is so sweet and innocent and pure and I love everything about it. I finished it just this morning and I already want to reread it.
UPDATE: 25/03/2019
Ok so I'm still thinking about this book and I can't wait to reread it. I very rarely reread things so this is a big deal. Peony is such a cute and fiesty main character and Ez is the perfect accompaniment to her sass. I love them so much.
UPDATE: 30/07/2019
Am still obsessed with this book. Am also forcing it upon literally everyone I can (aka my friends and co-workers). Will probably still be obsessing over this book in a few months.
UPDATE: 07/01/2022
Have note stopped thinking about this book. I'll randomly pick it up to read little sections. Still fully obsessed with it.
UPDATE: 05/01/2019
So after sitting and thinking for almost half a day about this book, I've realised my review doesn't encompass just how much I love this book. It's currently my second favourite book (which for me is a massive deal considering my top 5 hasn't changed for at least 5 years). This book is so sweet and innocent and pure and I love everything about it. I finished it just this morning and I already want to reread it.
UPDATE: 25/03/2019
Ok so I'm still thinking about this book and I can't wait to reread it. I very rarely reread things so this is a big deal. Peony is such a cute and fiesty main character and Ez is the perfect accompaniment to her sass. I love them so much.
UPDATE: 30/07/2019
Am still obsessed with this book. Am also forcing it upon literally everyone I can (aka my friends and co-workers). Will probably still be obsessing over this book in a few months.
UPDATE: 07/01/2022
Have note stopped thinking about this book. I'll randomly pick it up to read little sections. Still fully obsessed with it.
October 17, 2017
'How to Bee' is a clever little story set in Australia, in the near future, where bees no longer exist. Children, like 9 year old Peony, work as bees and pollinate flowers by hand. This story is aimed at 8-12 year olds but I think teenagers would enjoy this story too. I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
July 1, 2017
How this is not a nominated Children's Book Week book I'll never know. A world where bees are extinct and poor children aspire to the job of "bees" - running through orchards with a feather duster, pollinating the trees to sell fruit to the out of touch, wealthy city folk.
A lovely little story about a young bee who gets dragged to the city and does all she can to get back home.
A lovely little story about a young bee who gets dragged to the city and does all she can to get back home.
November 5, 2020
This book makes me feel variety of emotions and it portrays a lot of important lessons in life. I feel like this story creatively encourage not only children but also everyone of all ages to take care of our environment before it's too late. Overall it's a good book.❣️
October 13, 2022
The bees have gone and Australia is in the midst of an ecological disaster as a result of colony collapse disorder. Peony has high hopes of becoming a 'bee' and having the wonderful task of pollinating the fruit trees. This story is a beautifully told tale of how the joy, courage and hope in one young girl can inspire belief in others. I was utterly charmed.
CW: Domestic violence, anxiety, agoraphobia
CW: Domestic violence, anxiety, agoraphobia
November 25, 2018
There are no more bees, and so children have taken over their role of pollinating the flowers. 9-year-old Peony lives with her grandfather and sister on one of the fruit farms where she is employed as a 'pest', while their mother works and lives in the city, earning money to purchase medicine and other necessities. The duties of a 'pest' are to pick insects from the fruit, but Peony so longs to be a 'bee' and pollinate the flowers. Meanwhile, her mother has become pregnant to an abusive man, and insists the Peony go with her to the city to work for a wealthy family. The contrast between rich and poor is more startling there. Peony is a perceptive child and her journey is undertaken with determination and zest. A great read.
Reviewed by Debbie McCauley (Bookrapt).
Reviewed by Debbie McCauley (Bookrapt).
June 22, 2020
I feel like this book tried to do a lot with itself, but it lacked a lot of the detailing that I wish a story like this would have. If you plan to set a base in a post-apocalyptic world, it works better if that's incorporated into the actual novel, as opposed to just on the blurb. I thought that the many areas this tried to cover were admirable- especially some of the look-ins at domestic violence, child abandonment, and agoraphobia, but perhaps it was a little optimistic sometimes and tried to do too much. The characters were quite good, but I wish that there was a little bit more of a fleshing out of them as well. It bears a slight resemblance to The Giver, but perhaps could have considered just a bit more detail and context to the world in the story.
June 17, 2017
Anchored in an Australian climate change future where humans must hand-pollinate orchards, the story comes alive through the eyes of would-be human bee Peony. We see life on the orchard for the workers, and then how the city folk survive. It's a delightful read, not without its sad moments, but always leavened with humour and Peony's energy and belief in the power of family (and friends, or community) to see one through. A quick, enjoyable read for those older than the target market.
September 7, 2017
This was a brilliantly refreshing take on a dystopian future. I loved the character of Peony who desperately wanted to be a bee - kids who pollinate flowers. There were lots of heavy duty topics in this story, including domestic violence and poverty, but it never felt heavy or preachy. I was really happy to go along for the ride with Peony - a ride that was surprisingly joyous!
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January 13, 2020in a world where real bees are scarce, children on farms scramble up trees and pollinate flowers by hand. all peony wants is to be a bee but she is stuck doing smaller tasks around the farm. she’s not unhappy with her life though—her grandfather and her sister love her and there is a lot of love and community surrounding her. then she is kidnapped and taken to the big city and she has to survive ...
this book was a very quick read and i loved the narrative voice. peony is a fierce heroine who is extremely wily and incredibly b-d-ss! however where this book disappointed was in the plot. since the book is so short, really serious topics that were introduced couldn’t be dealt with properly and that was frustrating. also, from the synopsis about the bees i thought this would be way more a climate disaster book but in reality it was your pretty standard poor farm kid/rich city kid story and i felt like it could have been so much more. i would recommend it in specific circumstances but it’s not a must-read rec for me. it’s a quick read though so that was a nice way to start my 2020 reading challenge !
this book was a very quick read and i loved the narrative voice. peony is a fierce heroine who is extremely wily and incredibly b-d-ss! however where this book disappointed was in the plot. since the book is so short, really serious topics that were introduced couldn’t be dealt with properly and that was frustrating. also, from the synopsis about the bees i thought this would be way more a climate disaster book but in reality it was your pretty standard poor farm kid/rich city kid story and i felt like it could have been so much more. i would recommend it in specific circumstances but it’s not a must-read rec for me. it’s a quick read though so that was a nice way to start my 2020 reading challenge !
August 21, 2020
Maybe 4.5 stars. I started this a few months ago, but had to put it aside to read the current crop of shortlist titles. This was excellent though and I was keen to return to it.
9 yo Peony lives with most of her family on a farm, in a future where bees have all but become extinct and children have taken their place, pollinating crops by hand. Life is hard on the farm, workers are only paid room and board and conditions are very poor. Her mum works in the city, in order to earn some actual cash, which is needed for medicine and other necessities. All Peony wants is to become a bee and to live with her family around her.
This is a fascinating, at times heart-breaking and ultimately heart-warming novel. The character of Peony is tough, fierce and likeable. She will do anything for those she loves. Her philosophy is best summed up about half way through the novel: " We're not poor Ma.... We've got enough. But we've got more if we're all together, taking care of each other."
I wished we spent more time on the farm, as that was the past that fascinated me the most, but the parts of the story set in the city were still excellent.
Based on this and the Dog Runner, I think I will read anything Ms MacDibble produces. A unique author!
9 yo Peony lives with most of her family on a farm, in a future where bees have all but become extinct and children have taken their place, pollinating crops by hand. Life is hard on the farm, workers are only paid room and board and conditions are very poor. Her mum works in the city, in order to earn some actual cash, which is needed for medicine and other necessities. All Peony wants is to become a bee and to live with her family around her.
This is a fascinating, at times heart-breaking and ultimately heart-warming novel. The character of Peony is tough, fierce and likeable. She will do anything for those she loves. Her philosophy is best summed up about half way through the novel: " We're not poor Ma.... We've got enough. But we've got more if we're all together, taking care of each other."
I wished we spent more time on the farm, as that was the past that fascinated me the most, but the parts of the story set in the city were still excellent.
Based on this and the Dog Runner, I think I will read anything Ms MacDibble produces. A unique author!
June 1, 2025
Interesting premise. It fell short for me and I’m having a hard time pinning down why, exactly. Peony lives in a futuristic time when bees have gone extinct and famine has reconstructed society. She works on a large farm and aspires to be a bee— a worker who pollinates fruit trees with a wand.
Peony is ripped from her dream of becoming a bee when her mom forces her to work in the city but she fights to return home to the farm.
A lot of domestic violence depicted in this middle grade novel.
Not one I’d recommend readily to readers 8-12. More for the 13-15 year old group.
Peony is ripped from her dream of becoming a bee when her mom forces her to work in the city but she fights to return home to the farm.
A lot of domestic violence depicted in this middle grade novel.
Not one I’d recommend readily to readers 8-12. More for the 13-15 year old group.
September 15, 2018
A great read for Intermediate age students. Thought provoking; set in Australia after a famine in a world without bees; Peony and other children climb the trees and do the work of the bees. The story also has a message about family relationships- Peony's Mother stays with a violent partner and the reader sees where this leads.
June 23, 2017
I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book, but it was on the recommendation of one of my trusted booksellers. I liked the concept straight away, and although I didn't always understand the motivations of the characters, I liked the general lay of the story. There is a kind of wholesomeness about it that's nice to see, even when things like death and loss are brought up.
I won't go into too much detail since I feel like even snippets will spoil it. Safe to say I enjoyed it, four stars!
I won't go into too much detail since I feel like even snippets will spoil it. Safe to say I enjoyed it, four stars!
August 24, 2018
Children’s publishing seems to be experiencing a time of growth; the shelves of book shops are bursting with newly-published books for kids – so much so that it can be hard to choose which books to read. Some seem to garner much attention whilst others arrive quietly, waiting to be picked up and discovered.
‘How To Bee’ is new to the UK market but has already been doing very well in its native Australia. And it would be a real shame if it did not take off here too. Set in a future Australia where honey bees are all but extinct, this is a book about family, friendship, courage and survival and features an extremely strong, but not invincible, female lead character.
Despite being pegged as a dystopian novel, the story portrays a world not dissimilar to the one we live in now. And this is what makes this book so disturbingly successful. Although the story is a chain of largely dismal events, the reader is sucked into Peony’s life – Bren MacDibble makes it impossible for the reader not to be rooting for her as she pursues her dream of becoming a bee – a hand pollinator. But ‘How To Be’ is not without its moments of light and hope – it would be a hard read if it wasn’t. However, with an ending that is weighted more towards the bitter end of the bittersweet scale, it is an important read for those who only ever experience happily-ever-after endings.
Peony’s abduction by her mother and her cruel partner sees her removed from the countryside and placed into a rich household in the city. There Peony is witness to a way of life far removed from her simple, often harsh, but enjoyable life of sleeping in a shed and working amongst the fruit trees. The author cleverly contrasts these two lifestyles in such a way that merit can be seen in both – in the home of the Pasquales Peony experiences a loving marital relationship – a far cry from the relationships her mother has been in; but she also sees how the poor are exploited in order to provide a lavish lifestyle for the rich – there are several other such contrasts. As with any good dystopian fiction, current affairs are explored and commented on in the context of a fabricated domain.
Although sold as a children’s book, with an age recommendation of 9-12, the subject of domestic abuse – both physical and emotional, towards adults and children – makes this a tough read in places, particularly for the aforementioned age bracket. I would suggest that this book is better suited to teenage readers for this reason.
There is no reason why this challenging read shouldn’t be celebrated – it is well-written, introduces children to other ways of life (and a new dialect) and despite being brutal in places is told with a very gentle touch. With its well-formed and believable characters – some loveable, some hateable – ‘How To Bee’ is a book really to get into – I found it hard to put down, such was the grip it had on me.
‘How To Bee’ is new to the UK market but has already been doing very well in its native Australia. And it would be a real shame if it did not take off here too. Set in a future Australia where honey bees are all but extinct, this is a book about family, friendship, courage and survival and features an extremely strong, but not invincible, female lead character.
Despite being pegged as a dystopian novel, the story portrays a world not dissimilar to the one we live in now. And this is what makes this book so disturbingly successful. Although the story is a chain of largely dismal events, the reader is sucked into Peony’s life – Bren MacDibble makes it impossible for the reader not to be rooting for her as she pursues her dream of becoming a bee – a hand pollinator. But ‘How To Be’ is not without its moments of light and hope – it would be a hard read if it wasn’t. However, with an ending that is weighted more towards the bitter end of the bittersweet scale, it is an important read for those who only ever experience happily-ever-after endings.
Peony’s abduction by her mother and her cruel partner sees her removed from the countryside and placed into a rich household in the city. There Peony is witness to a way of life far removed from her simple, often harsh, but enjoyable life of sleeping in a shed and working amongst the fruit trees. The author cleverly contrasts these two lifestyles in such a way that merit can be seen in both – in the home of the Pasquales Peony experiences a loving marital relationship – a far cry from the relationships her mother has been in; but she also sees how the poor are exploited in order to provide a lavish lifestyle for the rich – there are several other such contrasts. As with any good dystopian fiction, current affairs are explored and commented on in the context of a fabricated domain.
Although sold as a children’s book, with an age recommendation of 9-12, the subject of domestic abuse – both physical and emotional, towards adults and children – makes this a tough read in places, particularly for the aforementioned age bracket. I would suggest that this book is better suited to teenage readers for this reason.
There is no reason why this challenging read shouldn’t be celebrated – it is well-written, introduces children to other ways of life (and a new dialect) and despite being brutal in places is told with a very gentle touch. With its well-formed and believable characters – some loveable, some hateable – ‘How To Bee’ is a book really to get into – I found it hard to put down, such was the grip it had on me.
October 17, 2020
I thought this would be a cute MG story based on the description, but it never resonated with me. Being a book for younger humans, I didn't expect China Miéville-level world building but I felt the story tried to bridge too lengthy a span by giving us a future with (almost) no bees (which would be rather catastrophic in major ways for the entire planet's flora AND fauna...) crossed with a cute concept of human children pollinating trees in lieu of bees. A bee-less dystopia is hardly a paradigm that MG children could grasp, probably, so it felt like an unnecessary backdrop. Honestly, it would be awful. So if you can set aside the background setting for the story, one would think the cute part, small humans - dressed as bees, for effect, surely - pollinating trees, and other children -dressed as pests, again, cuteness effects - stripping the tree of pests, would work fabulously. Not so.
(An aside: this child-as-pest remover was almost harder to construe as understandable to the MG set, as it meant the normal pest eaters - birds, mostly, were either no longer alive and thriving to do this, OR, as this book makes it out, the birds are also starving as a result of the bee-crash so not only must the pests be removed from the trees, but the birds must be scared away from the trees so the fruit isn't eaten. And now the freight train of way-too-many issues reaches full throttle. Absentee parents, physical abuse, emotional abuse, rich vs. poor, death, city vs. farm... It was all too much and not enough. Like a stew made by strangers who didn't know what the planned meal was. And the end result was quite unpalatable. A more personal gripe, but I could have 100% done without the weirdo linguistic flairs thrown in rather randomly throughout. They make the narrative clunky and over-trying instead of fun and kid-like. there were a few emotionally powerful scenes, which tells me MacDibble knows how to write MG, but they were lost in the overcomplex, unexplained backstory, messy familial relationships, and underdeveloped magical cuteness and fun-amazingness of small humans pollinating and pest-removing trees. Seriously, how is this book NOT fun at all?!?!? That's where it failed me. I understand the MG set is exposed to more these days in books, and that is great, AND that many of the Adult set read MG books, and that is also great, BUT if you're going to do issues in MG books maybe pick fewer and develop them more so they resonate? Or develop your cute factor!
OK, this went on way too much, so I'll stop picking at it. I expected something fun (and magical and wondrous...) and this was not fun (or...). Pretty dust jacket though.
(An aside: this child-as-pest remover was almost harder to construe as understandable to the MG set, as it meant the normal pest eaters - birds, mostly, were either no longer alive and thriving to do this, OR, as this book makes it out, the birds are also starving as a result of the bee-crash so not only must the pests be removed from the trees, but the birds must be scared away from the trees so the fruit isn't eaten. And now the freight train of way-too-many issues reaches full throttle. Absentee parents, physical abuse, emotional abuse, rich vs. poor, death, city vs. farm... It was all too much and not enough. Like a stew made by strangers who didn't know what the planned meal was. And the end result was quite unpalatable. A more personal gripe, but I could have 100% done without the weirdo linguistic flairs thrown in rather randomly throughout. They make the narrative clunky and over-trying instead of fun and kid-like. there were a few emotionally powerful scenes, which tells me MacDibble knows how to write MG, but they were lost in the overcomplex, unexplained backstory, messy familial relationships, and underdeveloped magical cuteness and fun-amazingness of small humans pollinating and pest-removing trees. Seriously, how is this book NOT fun at all?!?!? That's where it failed me. I understand the MG set is exposed to more these days in books, and that is great, AND that many of the Adult set read MG books, and that is also great, BUT if you're going to do issues in MG books maybe pick fewer and develop them more so they resonate? Or develop your cute factor!
OK, this went on way too much, so I'll stop picking at it. I expected something fun (and magical and wondrous...) and this was not fun (or...). Pretty dust jacket though.
June 6, 2017
Loved this futuristic story about life where humans have to do the work of bees because bees are extinct. A lovely story of family, friendship and bravery. Loved the ending.
July 22, 2018
How to Bee is set in a future affected by climate change and where bees are extinct. It is told in the voice of nine year old Peony - a fierce voice that resonates honesty and will stay with you long after you finish the book.
Peony, her sister and grandfather live and work on a fruit farm where children are bees, scrambling along branches in order to pollinate the blossoms. Peony is a pest – she has to kill unwanted insects – but, deeply ambitious, she wants to be promoted to bee- a job for the quickest and bravest children and a role she isn’t old enough for yet. But when some bees get too big to be up in the branches and fall and break their bones the Foreman says, 'Tomorrow we'll find two new bees.' This is Peony’s chance.
But then Peony’s mother arrives, pregnant to her ape like violent boyfriend, and takes Peony back to the city to work as a servant alongside her. There she meets Esmeralda, the daughter in the wealthy household who has everything Peony doesn’t – except she is crippled by fear of the outside world.
Together they hatch a plan to give them both what they want and need: Peony wants to go back to the farm and be a bee and Esmeralda wants to be able to go outside and be brave.
This book will enthral and move you. The language of the book is in a future dialect of staccato rhythms, that makes Peony’s voice bright and original. It is a story of family and courage and loyalty written in mesmerising language and filled with gritty characters. Harsh and beautiful, fierce and kind. Just like Peony.
This book made me miss my tram stop and cry in public. Memorable.
December 20, 2021
Determined, fiercely loyal and brave are words that come to mind to describe Peony, the 9 year old child who lives on a farm with her family and works as a 'pest' aka pest exterminator. Her goal is to become a 'bee' since honeybees have largely died out and human children now have to pollinate the fruit trees. The world is divided between "haves" and "have-nots" and the gulf between them is titanic. Peony gets dragged, unwillingly, to the city to help her mum Rosie, in her job as a domestic servant and makes friends with Esmeralda, a girl of a similar age who lives there. Peony encourages 'Es' to be brave and thus assists her to overcome her agoraphobia. This is a children's book, so it's important to note that there are references to domestic abuse, but even in that context, Peony is bold and fearless, once again modelling that there are ways of tackling behaviour that restrict people's lives and just because one is a child, it doesn't mean that one is powerless. Although the protagonist is deftly drawn, most of the other characters are a little too flat and stereotypical - kindly grandfather, chubby cheerful cook, apeman abuser, so that's where it lost a star for me - however, I acknowledge that too much development of the gallery of characters might be too much for the target audience to take in.
January 15, 2020
Trigger warnings: domestic violence, kidnapping, parental abduction, mental health, .
3.5 stars.
Well, this was a lot darker than I anticipated... I mean, I knew that it was set in a world where bees are extinct and children have to climb trees with bags of pollen to ensure that fruit and vegetables will still grow.
But really, that's a very small part of the story. It's instead about a young girl who desperately wants to be a Bee (as the children carrying pollen are known) but is essentially kidnapped by her mother from the farm where she's grown up with her grandfather and sister to instead work as a servant in the big city. There, she witnesses the domestic violence her mother's new relationship is causing, and the dramatic differences between the poverty she's grown up with and the extreme opulence and wastefulness of the city's rich.
And given that it's a middle grade book, I definitely didn't expect that level of darkness. And while I enjoyed it, I feel like I would have liked it better if it hadn't been *quite* as heavy handed with the serious topics as it was...
3.5 stars.
Well, this was a lot darker than I anticipated... I mean, I knew that it was set in a world where bees are extinct and children have to climb trees with bags of pollen to ensure that fruit and vegetables will still grow.
But really, that's a very small part of the story. It's instead about a young girl who desperately wants to be a Bee (as the children carrying pollen are known) but is essentially kidnapped by her mother from the farm where she's grown up with her grandfather and sister to instead work as a servant in the big city. There, she witnesses the domestic violence her mother's new relationship is causing, and the dramatic differences between the poverty she's grown up with and the extreme opulence and wastefulness of the city's rich.
And given that it's a middle grade book, I definitely didn't expect that level of darkness. And while I enjoyed it, I feel like I would have liked it better if it hadn't been *quite* as heavy handed with the serious topics as it was...
August 21, 2020
I had to read this for school, and for some reason this always makes me kinda not enjoy books as much. However, this book was really good! It covered some pretty serious topics, mainly domestic violence. It is a dystopian fiction about a world where bees are extinct, and flowers must be pollinated by hand. I enjoyed reading this book.
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