What do you think?
Rate this book
Ali's Bees
There is a lot you can learn from bees. They may look aggressive, but they won’t sting you if you keep your cool and make them comfortable around you.
Ali wishes he could feel comfortable in his new home of Los Angeles, California. He loves living with his beekeeper grandfather, but he desperately misses his parents. They were killed in a terrorist attack in Iraq, and Ali was sent halfway across the world to live with his grandfather. In addition to the deep grief Ali faces, he is also struggling with posttraumatic stress disorder from the attack.
Ali’s wise grandfather knows that working with the bees will help. Ali enjoys working with the bees so much that he announces he will do his science project on bees, their place in the world, and the dangers of colony collapse disorder. His work attracts the attention of Lupe, a friendly classmate with problems of her own, and Jenks, an angry bully who cares for his disabled father. The three form an unlikely connection through a funny bee dance and a cherished Mickey Mantle baseball card. Will it be enough to overcome their differences and the challenges each one faces?
Ali wishes he could feel comfortable in his new home of Los Angeles, California. He loves living with his beekeeper grandfather, but he desperately misses his parents. They were killed in a terrorist attack in Iraq, and Ali was sent halfway across the world to live with his grandfather. In addition to the deep grief Ali faces, he is also struggling with posttraumatic stress disorder from the attack.
Ali’s wise grandfather knows that working with the bees will help. Ali enjoys working with the bees so much that he announces he will do his science project on bees, their place in the world, and the dangers of colony collapse disorder. His work attracts the attention of Lupe, a friendly classmate with problems of her own, and Jenks, an angry bully who cares for his disabled father. The three form an unlikely connection through a funny bee dance and a cherished Mickey Mantle baseball card. Will it be enough to overcome their differences and the challenges each one faces?
142 pages, Paperback
Published July 14, 2017
1 person is currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Olav Solheim
18 books13 followersBruce Olav Solheim was born on September 3, 1958, in Seattle, Washington, to hard-working Norwegian immigrant parents, Asbjørn and Olaug Solheim. Bruce was the first person in his family to go to college. He served for six years in the US Army as a jail guard and later as a helicopter pilot. He earned his PhD in history from Bowling Green State University in 1993.
Bruce is currently a distinguished professor of history at Citrus College in Glendora, California. He also served as a Fulbright professor in 2003 at the University of Tromsø in northern Norway.
Bruce founded the Veterans Program at Citrus College and cofounded, with Manuel Martinez and Ginger De Villa-Rose, the Boots to Books transition course—the first college course in the United States designed specifically for recently returned veterans. He has published five books and has written seven plays, two of which have been produced.
Bruce is married to Ginger, the girl of his dreams, who is a professional helicopter pilot and certified flight instructor. He has been blessed with four wonderful children: Bjørn, Byron, Caitlin, and Leif. He also has a precious grandson, Liam. Bruce, his brother, and his two nephews still own the family home in Åse, Norway, two hundred miles above the Arctic Circle.
Bruce is currently a distinguished professor of history at Citrus College in Glendora, California. He also served as a Fulbright professor in 2003 at the University of Tromsø in northern Norway.
Bruce founded the Veterans Program at Citrus College and cofounded, with Manuel Martinez and Ginger De Villa-Rose, the Boots to Books transition course—the first college course in the United States designed specifically for recently returned veterans. He has published five books and has written seven plays, two of which have been produced.
Bruce is married to Ginger, the girl of his dreams, who is a professional helicopter pilot and certified flight instructor. He has been blessed with four wonderful children: Bjørn, Byron, Caitlin, and Leif. He also has a precious grandson, Liam. Bruce, his brother, and his two nephews still own the family home in Åse, Norway, two hundred miles above the Arctic Circle.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 26, 2017
Author Bruce Olav Solheim has created an uplifting story that provides a new perspective from lives of people that are often untold, in the aftermath of war... especially in American children's literature. There is a realness in every conversation, that opens up deep understanding and reflection between adult and youth, and youth amongst each other-- trying to understand the complexities of people and life. The wise Grandfather in the story, Mr. Salam, is a sounding board to middle schooler Ali. Reference to the Koran's scripture are mentioned as a source of inspiring assurance and guidance, as Ali adjusts to his new home. Exposure to a different religion in context to the storyline, as a reader, brought curiosity and a sense of connection to basic ideals of 'responsibility, hope, and compassion.' The descriptive settings and environmental details make this book truly unique. After reading the book entirely, I was motivated to take notice of the flowers and bees. From meeting the school bully, to a veteran dealing with PTSD, to a hispanic girl afraid of ICES Immigration, "Ali's Bees" is very realistic and touches upon very hard and sad topics. However, all the emotional journeys shared, transpire into a beautiful message that encourages empathy and unity.
March 21, 2021
Heart touching book
The author Dr.B is my history professor in Citrus College and with his books, I’ve found more connections to immigration and war, more than ever. As the first generation immigrant myself and be the first one to go to college in my family, there’s hardships I faced in these years that I certainly wish I could have a grandfather like Mr.Salam.
Mr.Salam’s wisdom and benevolent taught Ali to not be controlled by anger and fear of the war and his losing families. Which it must be hard for a 13 year old boy who experienced the most tragedy in his life. This book did not mentioned war directly, but it gives more significant impact to readers with the postwar mental illness and how “the war is a bankruptcy of ideas”.
The author Dr.B is my history professor in Citrus College and with his books, I’ve found more connections to immigration and war, more than ever. As the first generation immigrant myself and be the first one to go to college in my family, there’s hardships I faced in these years that I certainly wish I could have a grandfather like Mr.Salam.
Mr.Salam’s wisdom and benevolent taught Ali to not be controlled by anger and fear of the war and his losing families. Which it must be hard for a 13 year old boy who experienced the most tragedy in his life. This book did not mentioned war directly, but it gives more significant impact to readers with the postwar mental illness and how “the war is a bankruptcy of ideas”.
July 4, 2020
wow just wow! im not much of a reader but this story had me hooked! coming from a military background I never took the chance to think about the effects of war on the local populace and the struggles they may endure as a result of war. connecting with Ali and Mr. Salam was beautiful I could picture every scene in my head and the end with the news of Mr. Salam actually had me in tears, which surprised even me. great read and definitely recommend!
August 31, 2017
Very inspiring book, one that should be proudly displayed in every school library! A beautiful message for us all!
BEE-UTIFUL!
BEE-UTIFUL!
August 25, 2017
Bruce Solheim has cleverly created a story that richly filled with life's lessons and philosophies while telling a tale that is both interesting and educational. The story tells of bees' lives as being analogous to the human condition. The reader learns about bullying,traumatic consequences of war, internal and external struggles, as well as the ultimate goal of cooperation, friendship and compassion. Ali's Bees was written for older children, but adults will benefit from reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews