Bee the Change

by James Preller

The Big Idea Gang is buzzing with excitement! They're going to show Clay Elementary just how important bees can be in this chapter book series about making a case—and making a difference—by the author of Jigsaw Jones.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Animals, Science, Environment

96 pages, Hardcover

Published July 30, 2019

About the author

James Preller (born 1961) is the children's book author of the Jigsaw Jones Mysteries, which are published by Scholastic Corporation. He grew up in Wantagh, New York and went to college in Oneonta, New York. After graduating from college in 1983, James Preller was employed as a waiter for one year before being hired as a copywriter by Scholastic Corporation, where he was introduced (through their books) to many noatable children's authors. This inspired James Preller to try writing his own books. James Preller published his first book, entitled MAXX TRAX: Avalanche Rescue, in 1986. Since that time, James Preller has written a variety of books, and has written under a number of pen names, including Mitzy Kafka, James Patrick, and Izzy Bonkers. James Preller lives in Delmar, New York with his wife Lisa and their three children.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesp...

Reviews

[B Zimp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alaska Battle of the Books 2020. Enjoyed the science and biology background in the book, although it felt a bit forced into the plot of this very Young Adult meeting. The characters seemed diverse and age appropriate. Would probably not read more in the series

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for its usefulness in classrooms!

This series is a simple chapter book about a group of 3rd graders who work together to create change. In this title the kids, Lizzy, Connor, Kym, and Deon have an assignment where they need to teach others about something they can do to make the world better. It began with Kym taking Lizzy to her parent's friends farm where he was going to show them the hives he manages. Once they are hooked on bees, they want others to care about them, also. Thus begins the plan to teach others and create a bee haven at school, starting with the plants in the school garden.

There is back matter on bees after the story as well as a section about writing entitled "Wow Me Tips". This writing section is what captured my 3rd grade teaching teams and got them excited about sharing this title (and the series) with classes next year.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Big Idea Gang is out to involve the entire population of Clay Elementary in the awareness and importance of bees in society, and everyday life. Lizzy and Kym get their inspiration after visiting a bee farm, and Conner and Deon join in while attempting to write a comic about a new superhero. All of this leads to brainstorming with positive results.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good. Way too advanced to be reading to a 4 year old. But this is the stuff I would like to get him into. Books that talk about real world problems and how to make a difference.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this 3rd grade level chapter book, Lizzy and Kym learn about Beekeeping from a family friend. His name is Ozzie. They visit Ozzie’s farm, put on protective equipment and get a good tour of the bee hive boxes. During their visit, they learn all about the importance of bees and how their numbers are declining. Without honeybees, our world would be a poorer place. Fruits and vegetable plants depend on the work of bees – pumpkins, sunflowers, soybeans, they depend on bees and the girls learn this. They share this information with Lizzy’s twin brother Connor and his friend Deon and 4 of them decide, they’ve got to do something! They put their heads together to figure out what they can do to help save the honeybees.

[The Endless Unread · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and informative book about bees and the importance of them.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friends Deon, Kym, Lizzy, and Connor formed the Big Idea Gang to work on getting a new school mascot back in the first book of the series. Now, in this third outing, Kym and Lizzy visit beekeeper Ozzie and learn about what bees contribute to the world. They would really like to share their knowledge with everyone else at school, but how? As they talk it over with their teacher, she helps them shift their focus to what the students can do to help the bees.

There is plenty of humor, making this a good choice for a class read-aloud, as well as appealing to readers who enjoy school-based stories. For instance, Lizzy jokes about the smoke pot Ozzie uses to calm the bee colony. "It looks like something the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz would wear on his head," she says. "That's me, the wizard of Ozzie!" the beekeeper replies.

As with other titles in this series, this story shows the kids talking things out and coming up with a plan to meet their goals. It also portrays the adults they encounter as helpful and supportive. The kids have a mix of interests and abilities, as well as representing boys and girls and several racial/ethnic backgrounds. Author James Preller (of Jigsaw Jones fame, as well as other titles), has created a fun new series for readers in lower elementary.

I picked up an advance copy at NCTE. This title will be coming out in July 2019.