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The Big Sting
A visit to Leo's grandfather's farm turns upside down when his grandmother's bee hives are stolen. A light-hearted and funny middle-grade novel for fans of Rebecca Stead and Lynda Mullaly Hunt.
Eleven-year-old Leo is an "armchair adventurer." This, according to Dad, means he'd choose adventures in books or video games over real-life experiences. And while Leo hates the label, he can’t argue with it. Unlike his little sister Lizzie, Leo is not a risk-taker.
So when he, Lizzie, Mom and Dad leave the city to visit Grandpa on Heron Island, Leo finds all kinds of dangers to avoid — from the deep, dark ocean to an old barn on the verge of collapse. But nothing on the island is more fearsome than Grandpa himself — Leo has never met anyone so grumpy! According to Mom, Grandpa is still grieving the recent death of his wife, a beekeeper beloved by everyone on the island.
Despite Leo's best efforts to avoid it, adventure finds him anyway when Grandma’s beehives go missing in the dead of night. Infuriated, Grandpa vows to track down the sticky-fingered thieves himself . . . with risk-averse Leo and danger-loving Lizzie (plus a kitten named Mayhem) in tow.
Eleven-year-old Leo is an "armchair adventurer." This, according to Dad, means he'd choose adventures in books or video games over real-life experiences. And while Leo hates the label, he can’t argue with it. Unlike his little sister Lizzie, Leo is not a risk-taker.
So when he, Lizzie, Mom and Dad leave the city to visit Grandpa on Heron Island, Leo finds all kinds of dangers to avoid — from the deep, dark ocean to an old barn on the verge of collapse. But nothing on the island is more fearsome than Grandpa himself — Leo has never met anyone so grumpy! According to Mom, Grandpa is still grieving the recent death of his wife, a beekeeper beloved by everyone on the island.
Despite Leo's best efforts to avoid it, adventure finds him anyway when Grandma’s beehives go missing in the dead of night. Infuriated, Grandpa vows to track down the sticky-fingered thieves himself . . . with risk-averse Leo and danger-loving Lizzie (plus a kitten named Mayhem) in tow.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 7, 2023
43 people are currently reading
2672 people want to read
About the author
Rachelle Delaney
10 books70 followersRachelle Delaney is the author of several middle-grade novels, including The Metro Dogs of Moscow, which was a CLA Book of the Year Honour Book, The Circus Dogs of Prague, a finalist for the 2017 Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award, and Clara Voyant, shortlisted for the Red Cedar and Diamond Willow Awards. Alice Fleck's Recipes for Disaster (May 2021) is her newest novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 5, 2023
The grandpa makes everything thoroughly boring and I do not like adults who do not encourage kids to ask questions. The story do not have much to tell. The premise is really good. I was really interested in knowing about the other world of the creatures out characters meet. I say this again I do not trust problematic adults who are quite irresponsible and set a really bad example for the kids. It’s fictional and still I do not like it. Nothing much happens at all. I got really bored by the second half.
October 18, 2024
Read this aloud to my class. Lots of cringey puns, and they begged me to read the last few chapters. I would call that a win!
May 1, 2023
The mystery would appeal to readers who enjoyed Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvarth (2001) or the Maple Harbour Adventures by M.A. Wilson. Finally, with the grandparents, grandchild and insect based mystery, it's a good read-alike to Chirp by Kate Messner (2020).
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March 21, 2024
Can this count for my reading goal lmao
January 14, 2025
Rachelle Delaney’s The Big Sting offers a heartfelt exploration of family, grief, and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of a farm and a mystery involving disappearing bee hives. The story begins with a city kid, familiar with farms only through video games, being thrust into the real-life challenges and beauty of rural life.
One of the book’s strengths lies in its portrayal of the protagonist’s relationship with his grandfather, a grumpy man still working through the grief of losing his wife. While grief is only mentioned briefly, it adds depth to the grandfather’s character and their interactions. The mystery of the vanishing bee hives is intriguing and serves as a vehicle for the protagonist’s growth, as he learns to break free of expectations and understand the complexities of life beyond black-and-white thinking.
However, the journey itself lacks excitement at times, with some parts feeling slow or uneventful. While the themes are meaningful, the pacing and execution could have been more engaging.
Overall, The Big Sting is a solid read for those who enjoy family-centered stories with a touch of mystery, but it may not captivate readers looking for a fast-paced or thrilling narrative.
One of the book’s strengths lies in its portrayal of the protagonist’s relationship with his grandfather, a grumpy man still working through the grief of losing his wife. While grief is only mentioned briefly, it adds depth to the grandfather’s character and their interactions. The mystery of the vanishing bee hives is intriguing and serves as a vehicle for the protagonist’s growth, as he learns to break free of expectations and understand the complexities of life beyond black-and-white thinking.
However, the journey itself lacks excitement at times, with some parts feeling slow or uneventful. While the themes are meaningful, the pacing and execution could have been more engaging.
Overall, The Big Sting is a solid read for those who enjoy family-centered stories with a touch of mystery, but it may not captivate readers looking for a fast-paced or thrilling narrative.
April 3, 2023
Adorable. Leo's is a sympathetically boring character and I enjoyed the messaging about not letting others' labels define us. The story trips along quite well with a strong sense of place and an humorous supporting cast. While it touches lightly on grief, this is a fluffy adventure and such elements are only to counterpoint the happy ending.
Thank you to Tundra Books who kindly sent me a copy for review.
Thank you to Tundra Books who kindly sent me a copy for review.
July 7, 2023
I adored this story. It's an adventure story for middle grade readers (and adults who enjoy MG like myself). It has many different themes and characters to love. We watch them grow and discover lovely things about nature and having fun. I won this through Librarything, and I am so happy that I did.
February 26, 2024
The main character learns how to be himself instead of who others try to make him. In the process, he helps solve a mystery and learns that real life can be more fun than video games.
Read
August 13, 20247/15 SSYRA books.
Kids will enjoy.
Kids will enjoy.
February 5, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this middle grade novel by Rachelle Delaney, a Canadian author. It will be released February 7, 2023, by Tundra Books.
If you like stories about intergenerational relationships, don't miss this novel.
Eleven-year-old Leo and his family visit his mother's grouchy father on his farm on an island off the west coast of British Columbia. Grampa is grieving the recent death of his wife, a much loved beekeeper.
It's the first time Leo and his sister, Lizzie, have ever been there. Lizzie is an adventurer, a risk taker who is totally interested in animals of all kinds. Leo, on the other hand is timid. He's an armchair adventurer. His ideal way of interacting with animals is on his virtual farm.
The first morning they are there, Grampa invites Leo to go with him to see the bees. He's terrified, but accompanies him as Grampa tells the bees that their keeper has gone. Wherever he goes, Grampa carries Everything Bees, a book about beekeeping.
When their parents manage to snag an unexpected spa vacation on a nearby island, the children are left alone with Grampa. Thankfully, Beatriz, one of the neighbours, and fellow beekeeper, has agreed to provide dinners for them. Jacques, a local jack of all trades and fellow beekeeper, delivers it.
Leo overcomes his fear of the outside world to accompany Lizzie to the rickety barn where she manages to tame the feral kittens. She especially bonds with one that she brings with her into the house. From then on, Mayhem accompanies them wherever they go.
The first night their parents are gone, Leo hears a noise in the night, and when they wake up, they discover that the beehives have been stolen. Word gets out and while Grampa is out and about, the Bumblers, a group of beekeepers, arrive to help. As soon as he sees them, Grampa kicks them out.
Leo worries that he could grow up to become like his grandfather.
Leo has actually learned a lot from his online games. He might not have a lot of hands on knowledge, but he still knows a lot about farming and animal needs from his virtual farm. He also knows a lot about investigating crime from an online detective game. This knowledge comes in very handy when they head off with Grandpa in search of the missing hives.
They soon discover another side of Grampa: a wild side. He drives like there are no speed limits. He's not afraid to ignore laws that get in his way. They trespass on the lands of two of the Bumblers in search of the missing hives. While they are there they meet up with and befriend Sofi, Beatriz's daughter, and Sawyer, Jaccque's nephew.
The following day their Bee Quest takes them to another island where Grampa plans to visit a friend, Big Mo, and ask for help. On the ferry they meet with Sawyer and Sofi, who warn them that Big Mo is a known criminal. When they finally meet Margaret and her son, Bruno, they are in for a pleasant surprise. This warm and welcoming family bring out another side of Grampa: someone full of joy and laughter.
The next day, they set off in search of the missing bees. When they stop for gas and snacks, Grampa realizes he left his book at Big Mo's. He leaves the children to buy snacks while he scoots back to pick it up. He doesn't return. Leo discovers that he's not such an armchair adventurer after all when he and Lizzie end up searching for the bees without Grampa.
It's wonderful to see all these characters grow and change as the novel progresses. It turns out that Leo isn't the staid 'auditor' his father labels him as. Grampa turns out to be a lot of fun. While at the beginning of the book, he forbids 'punning' because it reminds him of their Grandma, by the end, the trio end up in hilarious laughter as they come up with puns.
In many ways this is a serious book. It addresses grief, overcoming the labels put on us by others, and overcoming your fears. At the same time, it's full of hilarity. Some of it is situational, but punning is pretty constant throughout. Mayhem adds a lot of humour as well. It's also educational. Part of what I liked about this is how much we learn about bees. Did you know they recognize human faces. Did you know they can be trained to detect bombs?
Right now there is a give away for this book at Goodreads. You better head over and see if you can win one. If you aren't lucky, and end up purchasing this book, it is worth every penny you spend on it!
If you like stories about intergenerational relationships, don't miss this novel.
Eleven-year-old Leo and his family visit his mother's grouchy father on his farm on an island off the west coast of British Columbia. Grampa is grieving the recent death of his wife, a much loved beekeeper.
It's the first time Leo and his sister, Lizzie, have ever been there. Lizzie is an adventurer, a risk taker who is totally interested in animals of all kinds. Leo, on the other hand is timid. He's an armchair adventurer. His ideal way of interacting with animals is on his virtual farm.
The first morning they are there, Grampa invites Leo to go with him to see the bees. He's terrified, but accompanies him as Grampa tells the bees that their keeper has gone. Wherever he goes, Grampa carries Everything Bees, a book about beekeeping.
When their parents manage to snag an unexpected spa vacation on a nearby island, the children are left alone with Grampa. Thankfully, Beatriz, one of the neighbours, and fellow beekeeper, has agreed to provide dinners for them. Jacques, a local jack of all trades and fellow beekeeper, delivers it.
Leo overcomes his fear of the outside world to accompany Lizzie to the rickety barn where she manages to tame the feral kittens. She especially bonds with one that she brings with her into the house. From then on, Mayhem accompanies them wherever they go.
The first night their parents are gone, Leo hears a noise in the night, and when they wake up, they discover that the beehives have been stolen. Word gets out and while Grampa is out and about, the Bumblers, a group of beekeepers, arrive to help. As soon as he sees them, Grampa kicks them out.
Leo worries that he could grow up to become like his grandfather.
Leo has actually learned a lot from his online games. He might not have a lot of hands on knowledge, but he still knows a lot about farming and animal needs from his virtual farm. He also knows a lot about investigating crime from an online detective game. This knowledge comes in very handy when they head off with Grandpa in search of the missing hives.
They soon discover another side of Grampa: a wild side. He drives like there are no speed limits. He's not afraid to ignore laws that get in his way. They trespass on the lands of two of the Bumblers in search of the missing hives. While they are there they meet up with and befriend Sofi, Beatriz's daughter, and Sawyer, Jaccque's nephew.
The following day their Bee Quest takes them to another island where Grampa plans to visit a friend, Big Mo, and ask for help. On the ferry they meet with Sawyer and Sofi, who warn them that Big Mo is a known criminal. When they finally meet Margaret and her son, Bruno, they are in for a pleasant surprise. This warm and welcoming family bring out another side of Grampa: someone full of joy and laughter.
The next day, they set off in search of the missing bees. When they stop for gas and snacks, Grampa realizes he left his book at Big Mo's. He leaves the children to buy snacks while he scoots back to pick it up. He doesn't return. Leo discovers that he's not such an armchair adventurer after all when he and Lizzie end up searching for the bees without Grampa.
It's wonderful to see all these characters grow and change as the novel progresses. It turns out that Leo isn't the staid 'auditor' his father labels him as. Grampa turns out to be a lot of fun. While at the beginning of the book, he forbids 'punning' because it reminds him of their Grandma, by the end, the trio end up in hilarious laughter as they come up with puns.
In many ways this is a serious book. It addresses grief, overcoming the labels put on us by others, and overcoming your fears. At the same time, it's full of hilarity. Some of it is situational, but punning is pretty constant throughout. Mayhem adds a lot of humour as well. It's also educational. Part of what I liked about this is how much we learn about bees. Did you know they recognize human faces. Did you know they can be trained to detect bombs?
Right now there is a give away for this book at Goodreads. You better head over and see if you can win one. If you aren't lucky, and end up purchasing this book, it is worth every penny you spend on it!
February 17, 2023
Public library copy
Leo and Lizzie live with their parents in Toronto. Their mother is a busy administrator with a hospital charity, and their father has recently lost his job at an electronics store and is obsessed with Fatefinder.com, which purports to select ideal jobs for individuals based on personality. Leo is an auditor, because he is anxious about new experiences and all too aware of the dangers. He prefers to have his adventures online, in games like Applewood Acres. The family goes to remote Heron Island to visit their mother's father, a while after her mother has passed away. The grandfather is constantly irritated, which the mother attributes to his grief. While there, the father gets a notification that a popular spa he has tried to book on a nearby isalnd has a sudden opening, and before long, the parents take off, leaving Leo and Lizzie in their gradfather's care. Lizzie is determined to befriend the feral barn cats, but a new wrinkle develops-- all of their grandmother's bee hives disappear. The local organization of apiarists, the Bumblers, show up to help, and the children meet Sofi, who is the daughter of their grandmother's friend and fellow beekeeper, Beatriz. The police are no help, and in order to find the hives, the kids go off with their grandfather on late night sorites, mountain hikes, and a journey to Porpoise Island where an apple orchard owner's need bees. When their grandfather is arrested for driving to fast (and having a LOT Of unpaid tickets!) Leo and Lizzie set off on their own, only to discover that the orchard owners are not thieves, and to be found by their angry parents! Returning to Heron Island, Leo has an idea of who might have taken the hives. Can he prove it and save the day?
Strengths: This is a perfectly paced adventure book with just enough mystery to make it interesting. Leo doesn't let being afraid of things stop him, even when his fears slow him down. I rather enjoyed how much farming information he had gained from the Applewood Acres video game! Lizzie was a great but annoying little sister. Extra bonus points for sending the parents to a spa instead of killing them or having them kidnapped! As an adult, I think that more children need to understand how important bees are, and as a child, I would have been enthralled with Leo's traipsing around Heron Island! I also enjoyed this author's Alice Fleck's Recipe for Disaster.
Weaknesses: The father's interest in Fatefinder.com was a tiny bit overdone, and I wish that the grandfather had either been more pleasant all along or had warmed up more, especially since the grandmother was remembered as being so wonderful. The world needs more sparkly, happy grandparents right now! (Or maybe I do!)
What I really think: I really enjoyed this one, and would definitely buy this for an elementary library, but will probably pass for my middle school library. Pair this one with Scaletta's Rooting for Rafael Rosales Wientge's Honeybees and Frenemies, Cartaya's The Last Beekeeper McDunn's The Queen Bee and Me, and the book that motivated me to make a bee garden in my yard, Burn's The Hive Detectives.
Leo and Lizzie live with their parents in Toronto. Their mother is a busy administrator with a hospital charity, and their father has recently lost his job at an electronics store and is obsessed with Fatefinder.com, which purports to select ideal jobs for individuals based on personality. Leo is an auditor, because he is anxious about new experiences and all too aware of the dangers. He prefers to have his adventures online, in games like Applewood Acres. The family goes to remote Heron Island to visit their mother's father, a while after her mother has passed away. The grandfather is constantly irritated, which the mother attributes to his grief. While there, the father gets a notification that a popular spa he has tried to book on a nearby isalnd has a sudden opening, and before long, the parents take off, leaving Leo and Lizzie in their gradfather's care. Lizzie is determined to befriend the feral barn cats, but a new wrinkle develops-- all of their grandmother's bee hives disappear. The local organization of apiarists, the Bumblers, show up to help, and the children meet Sofi, who is the daughter of their grandmother's friend and fellow beekeeper, Beatriz. The police are no help, and in order to find the hives, the kids go off with their grandfather on late night sorites, mountain hikes, and a journey to Porpoise Island where an apple orchard owner's need bees. When their grandfather is arrested for driving to fast (and having a LOT Of unpaid tickets!) Leo and Lizzie set off on their own, only to discover that the orchard owners are not thieves, and to be found by their angry parents! Returning to Heron Island, Leo has an idea of who might have taken the hives. Can he prove it and save the day?
Strengths: This is a perfectly paced adventure book with just enough mystery to make it interesting. Leo doesn't let being afraid of things stop him, even when his fears slow him down. I rather enjoyed how much farming information he had gained from the Applewood Acres video game! Lizzie was a great but annoying little sister. Extra bonus points for sending the parents to a spa instead of killing them or having them kidnapped! As an adult, I think that more children need to understand how important bees are, and as a child, I would have been enthralled with Leo's traipsing around Heron Island! I also enjoyed this author's Alice Fleck's Recipe for Disaster.
Weaknesses: The father's interest in Fatefinder.com was a tiny bit overdone, and I wish that the grandfather had either been more pleasant all along or had warmed up more, especially since the grandmother was remembered as being so wonderful. The world needs more sparkly, happy grandparents right now! (Or maybe I do!)
What I really think: I really enjoyed this one, and would definitely buy this for an elementary library, but will probably pass for my middle school library. Pair this one with Scaletta's Rooting for Rafael Rosales Wientge's Honeybees and Frenemies, Cartaya's The Last Beekeeper McDunn's The Queen Bee and Me, and the book that motivated me to make a bee garden in my yard, Burn's The Hive Detectives.
July 11, 2024
(copied from my IG w pic of my cat to grab attention because he’s cute). Mr. Stitch has the purrr-fect summer reading suggestion for you in The Big Sting by Rachelle Delaney. It is a featured title on the 2024-25 SSYRA 3-5 list.
Two siblings have an adventure with their Grandpa tracking down stolen beehives on Heron Island. Another important thread ➡️Grandpa isn’t a crankasaurus, he is grieving his beloved wife. The children learn wonderful things about both of their grandparents and themselves during the course of the story that gives them a new lens with which to view others. There are a lot of fun, quirky characters and a mischievous kitten named Mayhem. It was a really sweet story.
Additional activities:
*start a pollinator garden
*take the beekeeping class with your local agricultural extension center. Resources for both above can be found with @oc_extension
*look up all the Heron Islands that are out there. (Author based in Canada)
*research the animals discussed in the story: bees, feral pigs, cats, orcas, whales, cephalopods
*practice map reading and map making skills. Create your own island!
*check out other titles by the author #rachelledelaney
*if you’ve still got them, call or visit your grandparents ❤️
@floridamediaed #ssyra #middlegradesfiction #fiction
#summerreading
Two siblings have an adventure with their Grandpa tracking down stolen beehives on Heron Island. Another important thread ➡️Grandpa isn’t a crankasaurus, he is grieving his beloved wife. The children learn wonderful things about both of their grandparents and themselves during the course of the story that gives them a new lens with which to view others. There are a lot of fun, quirky characters and a mischievous kitten named Mayhem. It was a really sweet story.
Additional activities:
*start a pollinator garden
*take the beekeeping class with your local agricultural extension center. Resources for both above can be found with @oc_extension
*look up all the Heron Islands that are out there. (Author based in Canada)
*research the animals discussed in the story: bees, feral pigs, cats, orcas, whales, cephalopods
*practice map reading and map making skills. Create your own island!
*check out other titles by the author #rachelledelaney
*if you’ve still got them, call or visit your grandparents ❤️
@floridamediaed #ssyra #middlegradesfiction #fiction
#summerreading
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March 1, 2023I really want to see this new release getting more buzz (yes, pun intended) because it was an excellent read!
Leo prefers his adventures in video games, not real life, so a family holiday to Heron Island to visit his curmudgeonly grandpa is outside Leo’s comfort zone. When his parents take an unexpected side trip and leave Leo and his sister, Lizzie, with Grandpa for a few days, Leo isn’t sure he’s cut out for country life without rules and structure. But when the beehives of his recently deceased grandma are stolen one night, the hunt to track down the culprits is filled with way more action than Leo could ever imagine!
If you enjoy intergenerational storylines set in a small town with a colourful cast of characters in everyone else’s “buzz-ness” (along with a spirited kitten named Mayhem), I highly recommend this funny and heartwarming story. I loved watching Leo discover he and his grandpa were both full of surprises, and my favourite part was seeing the connection between the kids and Grandpa grow with each challenge and obstacle. I would definitely love to see these characters again in a sequel.
This story would make an excellent read-aloud, and I would recommend it for Grades 3 and up.
Leo prefers his adventures in video games, not real life, so a family holiday to Heron Island to visit his curmudgeonly grandpa is outside Leo’s comfort zone. When his parents take an unexpected side trip and leave Leo and his sister, Lizzie, with Grandpa for a few days, Leo isn’t sure he’s cut out for country life without rules and structure. But when the beehives of his recently deceased grandma are stolen one night, the hunt to track down the culprits is filled with way more action than Leo could ever imagine!
If you enjoy intergenerational storylines set in a small town with a colourful cast of characters in everyone else’s “buzz-ness” (along with a spirited kitten named Mayhem), I highly recommend this funny and heartwarming story. I loved watching Leo discover he and his grandpa were both full of surprises, and my favourite part was seeing the connection between the kids and Grandpa grow with each challenge and obstacle. I would definitely love to see these characters again in a sequel.
This story would make an excellent read-aloud, and I would recommend it for Grades 3 and up.
October 10, 2023
Compulsively readable with fantastic voice, this middle grade mystery injects fresh life into a familiar but well-loved trope (rural summer vacation at an estranged grandparent's).
Characters are vivid, recognizable and lovingly rendered without stepping out of the child protagonist's viewpoint, from the gruff and initially inscrutable grandpa to the irrepressibly adventurous little sister.
The main character's love of games and frequent references to insights and lessons learned from cleverly imagined games will be validating to young readers. The father's obsession with personality quizzes (as part of a job hunt) and the main character's anxiety about being labelled and shoved in a box were beautifully handled, both exploring paths toward growth and also accepting and reframing essential character traits in new ways. Complex ideas conveyed with clarity, sensitivity, and always within the bounds of an entertaining story.
Speaking of which, the bee heist plot made for an engaging, much-needed middle grade mystery plot with plenty of twists, humour, and insightful moments along the way. As always with a Rachelle Delaney release, highly recommended for young (and not so young) readers, classrooms, and school and public libraries!
Characters are vivid, recognizable and lovingly rendered without stepping out of the child protagonist's viewpoint, from the gruff and initially inscrutable grandpa to the irrepressibly adventurous little sister.
The main character's love of games and frequent references to insights and lessons learned from cleverly imagined games will be validating to young readers. The father's obsession with personality quizzes (as part of a job hunt) and the main character's anxiety about being labelled and shoved in a box were beautifully handled, both exploring paths toward growth and also accepting and reframing essential character traits in new ways. Complex ideas conveyed with clarity, sensitivity, and always within the bounds of an entertaining story.
Speaking of which, the bee heist plot made for an engaging, much-needed middle grade mystery plot with plenty of twists, humour, and insightful moments along the way. As always with a Rachelle Delaney release, highly recommended for young (and not so young) readers, classrooms, and school and public libraries!
March 14, 2024
What’s the buzz about? Bees. Canadian bees to be exact. And on Heron Island, bees are big buzz-iness. So big, the island has a beekeeper’s club and everyone wants to be queen bee of that hive.
Eleven year old Leo and his sister are visiting their grandpa for the first time since their grandma died. Grandpa is grumpy and only interested in reading about bees. Grandma had been a pretty successful beekeeper and she left Grandpa to care for 12 hives. Beekeeping was Grandma’s thing but Grandpa wants to do things right for her. But all his reading could never prepare him for a hive heist. When the 12 hives disappear in the dead of night, it’s up to Grandpa, with the help of Leo and Lizzie, to rescue the bees. They embark on a big sting operation that leads to Grandpa being arrested, Leo and Lizzie being chased up a tree by a wild pig, and a shocking betrayal.
It’s not as soap opera as I made it sound but I think this is a fun, easy mystery. Although I found it annoying as an adult, the kids might like that Leo draws much of his surprisingly useful knowledge from the video games he obsessively plays (when he has an internet connection, something he can’t get at Grandpa’s house).
Eleven year old Leo and his sister are visiting their grandpa for the first time since their grandma died. Grandpa is grumpy and only interested in reading about bees. Grandma had been a pretty successful beekeeper and she left Grandpa to care for 12 hives. Beekeeping was Grandma’s thing but Grandpa wants to do things right for her. But all his reading could never prepare him for a hive heist. When the 12 hives disappear in the dead of night, it’s up to Grandpa, with the help of Leo and Lizzie, to rescue the bees. They embark on a big sting operation that leads to Grandpa being arrested, Leo and Lizzie being chased up a tree by a wild pig, and a shocking betrayal.
It’s not as soap opera as I made it sound but I think this is a fun, easy mystery. Although I found it annoying as an adult, the kids might like that Leo draws much of his surprisingly useful knowledge from the video games he obsessively plays (when he has an internet connection, something he can’t get at Grandpa’s house).
August 18, 2024
I received a free advanced copy of this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
This is a perfect upper elementary, middle grade novel for readers looking for a book that is on the shorter side and has a happy ending. There’s been a call lately in some library publications, like School Library Journal for shorter MG fiction that is self contained. This book fits that call perfectly.
The story follows Leo and his younger sister as they visit their grandfather for the first time since their grandmother died. They learn their grandmother was a beekeeper who was known and loved by everyone on the small Canadian island where they live. While Leo and his sister Lizzie are learning more about their grandmother, her bee hives go missing. This leads to an adventure with their grandpa while they go on a wild road trip to find the bee thief. Along the way they meet a fun cast of characters including a Beekeeping club, a “wild” kitten and a feral pig! Highly recommended, fills a need for MG readers and I will be adding it to our school library!
This is a perfect upper elementary, middle grade novel for readers looking for a book that is on the shorter side and has a happy ending. There’s been a call lately in some library publications, like School Library Journal for shorter MG fiction that is self contained. This book fits that call perfectly.
The story follows Leo and his younger sister as they visit their grandfather for the first time since their grandmother died. They learn their grandmother was a beekeeper who was known and loved by everyone on the small Canadian island where they live. While Leo and his sister Lizzie are learning more about their grandmother, her bee hives go missing. This leads to an adventure with their grandpa while they go on a wild road trip to find the bee thief. Along the way they meet a fun cast of characters including a Beekeeping club, a “wild” kitten and a feral pig! Highly recommended, fills a need for MG readers and I will be adding it to our school library!
June 17, 2024
This is one of the best books I've read with a clear message this year. "We love to put labels on people, don't we?" "I think we do it to make people seem less complicated, so we can predict what they're going to do. But people are complicated, and that's a good thing. We're all delightfully complicated."... "And labels limit us, don't they? They can make us feel small."..."The fact is, no one knows you better than you know yourself. You can't let other people-or companies, for that matter-tell you who you are or what you should do." (pg.150) Leo really understands this later..."The options suddenly seemed endless. And maybe...maybe the same went for him. Maybe Mo was right, and he wasn't actually destined to spend his life at a desk checking people's taxes. Maybe he could be something else, like a detective. Or a doctor. Or a bee keeper. The possibilities began to pile up like questions in his brain."
(pg.179)
(pg.179)
March 6, 2023
Middle grade mystery/ adventure. Leo and Lizzie are going with their parents to visit their grandfather on Heron Island. Their grandmother just passed away, and the family is worried about how Grandpa is taking it. Things get off to a bit of a rocky start as Grandpa and their father have very different thoughts on everything. But when his parents get a chance to stay at a local spa resort and leave the kids with Grandpa, Leo finds himself encouraging them to go.
While Lizzie is in her element in an unknown place, Leo is completely out of his comfort zone. But when it's discovered that their grandmother's beloved bee hives have disappeared, Leo taps into his detective skills. Grandpa and the kids (and one of the barn cats that Lizzie has latched onto) set out to investigate the suspects. Their investigation gets them literally off the beaten path, as they hike around the countryside. While they work together and meet people around the island, Leo realizes he doesn't want to be an armchair adventurer, only playing simulation video games.
I always love intergenerational stories, and this one was lots of fun. Leo's struggles to live without wi-fi are relatable. It was fun to see the kids get to know their grandfather, and also their late grandmother, as they spent time in their hometown. They also learned a bit about their mother's childhood. I liked the small town charm and the relationships with various townspeople. It's also a bit of a coming-of-age story, with Leo discovering truths about himself. Overall a fun read.
While Lizzie is in her element in an unknown place, Leo is completely out of his comfort zone. But when it's discovered that their grandmother's beloved bee hives have disappeared, Leo taps into his detective skills. Grandpa and the kids (and one of the barn cats that Lizzie has latched onto) set out to investigate the suspects. Their investigation gets them literally off the beaten path, as they hike around the countryside. While they work together and meet people around the island, Leo realizes he doesn't want to be an armchair adventurer, only playing simulation video games.
I always love intergenerational stories, and this one was lots of fun. Leo's struggles to live without wi-fi are relatable. It was fun to see the kids get to know their grandfather, and also their late grandmother, as they spent time in their hometown. They also learned a bit about their mother's childhood. I liked the small town charm and the relationships with various townspeople. It's also a bit of a coming-of-age story, with Leo discovering truths about himself. Overall a fun read.
April 14, 2023
3.5 stars
Eleven-year-old Leo likes to play it safe and live by the rules... until a short stay with his Grandpa invites adventure into their lives as they race to solve the mystery of who stole Grandma's beehives! Leo; his risk-taking sister, Lizzie; grumpy Grandpa; and the scrappy stray kitten, Mayhem are speeding across Heron Island to question suspects and work through their grief over the recent loss of Grandma.
The Big Sting is a sweet middle grade book that weaves together a fun mystery (no spookiness here!) with themes of family bonds, finding courage, and stepping outside your comfort zone.
My nine-year-old and I enjoyed reading this short chapter book together and guessing how to solve the mystery of the missing hives, and laughed at a few of the clever puns!
Thanks to the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program and Tundra Books for a copy in exchange for our honest review!
Eleven-year-old Leo likes to play it safe and live by the rules... until a short stay with his Grandpa invites adventure into their lives as they race to solve the mystery of who stole Grandma's beehives! Leo; his risk-taking sister, Lizzie; grumpy Grandpa; and the scrappy stray kitten, Mayhem are speeding across Heron Island to question suspects and work through their grief over the recent loss of Grandma.
The Big Sting is a sweet middle grade book that weaves together a fun mystery (no spookiness here!) with themes of family bonds, finding courage, and stepping outside your comfort zone.
My nine-year-old and I enjoyed reading this short chapter book together and guessing how to solve the mystery of the missing hives, and laughed at a few of the clever puns!
Thanks to the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program and Tundra Books for a copy in exchange for our honest review!
May 8, 2023
Since I love books about nature and all its creatures, I was intrigued to read a story involving bees. I also know that Rachelle Delaney’s books usually have some kind of mystery to solve—and missing beehives is certainly a unique premise.
I was having so much fun I read this story in one day, and actually laughed out loud a few times. The characters are believable and I loved the idea that Grandpa was leading his more cautious grandson on adventures.
This story also referred to some interesting professions (such as auditor) and included some fun names for computer games, like Applewood Acres. The games sounded so fun I wished they were real! I really enjoyed this book! From a writer’s perspective, I think it would be a good mentor text for anyone writing a contemporary middle grade novel.
I was having so much fun I read this story in one day, and actually laughed out loud a few times. The characters are believable and I loved the idea that Grandpa was leading his more cautious grandson on adventures.
This story also referred to some interesting professions (such as auditor) and included some fun names for computer games, like Applewood Acres. The games sounded so fun I wished they were real! I really enjoyed this book! From a writer’s perspective, I think it would be a good mentor text for anyone writing a contemporary middle grade novel.
December 27, 2024
This is a great story about Leo & Lizzie. They come from Toronto to visit their grandpa on Heron Island. Leo absolutely hates it there because there is no wifi & there is nothing to do, but Lizzie loves the daily adventures she is experiencing.
Their parents head off to Porpoise Island for a getaway & the kids are left behind with their crotchety grandpa. Grandma died a few months back leaving her beehives behind which desperately need tending to.
However, one night, the beehives are taken. Grandpa & the kids are now bound for an incredible escapade to find these bees experiencing adventures they've never encountered before all the while bonding with their grandpa.
A great read!
Their parents head off to Porpoise Island for a getaway & the kids are left behind with their crotchety grandpa. Grandma died a few months back leaving her beehives behind which desperately need tending to.
However, one night, the beehives are taken. Grandpa & the kids are now bound for an incredible escapade to find these bees experiencing adventures they've never encountered before all the while bonding with their grandpa.
A great read!
April 9, 2023
I received a copy of this book thru a LibraryThing Giveaway. I enjoyed it. It's the story of eleven-year-old Leo (a cautious boy) and his 9-year-old sister Lizzie (an adventurous girl). They've travelled with their parents from Toronto to Heron Island, an hour's ferry ride from Vancouver, to visit their grandpa. They don't know him very well and find him to be pretty grumpy. They are told that's because he is missing their grandmother. Grandpa's only interest seems to be learning to take care of his wife's bees. Leo and Lizzie end up spending a lot of time with their grandpa and having some unusual adventures and working to solve a mystery. Lessons are learned by all.
June 15, 2023
The Big Sting follows unadventurous Leo as he gets dragged along by his risk-taking sister and wild grandfather on a hunt to find beehives stolen from the grandfather's house. The story reads a bit younger than I was expecting for an 11-year-old protagonist, which is fine, just something to be aware of.
I was not a fan of this one. The mystery of who stole the bees was pretty underdeveloped - a lot of Leo being dragged from one location to another. All they do is rule out suspects and there's not much progress in finding the real culprit. I can really feel the author's hand steering Leo away from the answer to keep the story from ending too soon, which is annoying in a mystery.
The characters also are not very likable. I wasn't a fan of how down everyone is on the fact that Leo isn't an adventurous spirit. There's nothing wrong with that, but the story wants to make you think there is. Almost every conversation is about him saying he doesn't want to do something, but then his sister and grandfather override him. Then, the few moments where he does make a decision, it's pretty out of character for him.
The grandfather is also very unlikeable. He's both extremely rude to his grandkids (who he is supposedly upset about never getting to see) and irresponsible with them. The story tries to excuse this with the fact that he's grieving, but there's so much negligence here that it comes across as him just not caring about their safety at all. I'd feel a bit different if the kids were painted as mature and capable, but they really are not the sort of characters an adult should be left alone. Lizzie is too inquisitive for her own good and Leo is scared of the world.
The positive aspects are that the bee facts are cool, the video games that Leo plays & the author made up sound interesting & like something a kid would enjoy, and I did learn a few new things, like how bee hives theft is a thing.
I was not a fan of this one. The mystery of who stole the bees was pretty underdeveloped - a lot of Leo being dragged from one location to another. All they do is rule out suspects and there's not much progress in finding the real culprit. I can really feel the author's hand steering Leo away from the answer to keep the story from ending too soon, which is annoying in a mystery.
The characters also are not very likable. I wasn't a fan of how down everyone is on the fact that Leo isn't an adventurous spirit. There's nothing wrong with that, but the story wants to make you think there is. Almost every conversation is about him saying he doesn't want to do something, but then his sister and grandfather override him. Then, the few moments where he does make a decision, it's pretty out of character for him.
The grandfather is also very unlikeable. He's both extremely rude to his grandkids (who he is supposedly upset about never getting to see) and irresponsible with them. The story tries to excuse this with the fact that he's grieving, but there's so much negligence here that it comes across as him just not caring about their safety at all. I'd feel a bit different if the kids were painted as mature and capable, but they really are not the sort of characters an adult should be left alone. Lizzie is too inquisitive for her own good and Leo is scared of the world.
The positive aspects are that the bee facts are cool, the video games that Leo plays & the author made up sound interesting & like something a kid would enjoy, and I did learn a few new things, like how bee hives theft is a thing.
February 23, 2025
The Big Sting had an intriguing premise, but the execution left much to be desired. The first half of the book dragged, making it a struggle to stay engaged. The pacing was slow, and the plot took far too long to build momentum. However, once the story finally picked up, it became more compelling. The novel’s saving grace was its underlying message about self-discovery and breaking free from societal labels. While the theme was meaningful, it wasn’t enough to fully redeem the sluggish start. Readers who enjoy patient storytelling may find value in the journey, but for those seeking a gripping read from the outset, this one may not be the best choice.
October 24, 2023
I rated this as if I were of the age group that this is for. I run our school Forest of Reading and started with this book. I think this book will be a high interest read for the grade 5 and 6 students in the club, there is enough adventure to keep them interested and an ending that they will enjoy. For the adults, the grampa has a quirky character that is fun to read about. Solid book for the club.
April 29, 2023
The Big Sting is an energetic and informative novel for middle grade readers. The “sting” of the title relates to the theft of a beekeeper’s hives and efforts to find the culprit. Descriptive narrative provides useful information on the natural environment (including bees). And the main characters learn a lot about adult behavior.
June 29, 2023
This one was okay. Leo was a sweet character, but the plot just never pulled me in. It's a cute mystery but it just ended up feeling like one of those middle grade novels that was pretty firmly aimed at the kids and doesn't have a lot of appeal once you get older. I think for the right age this would be a great read though.
August 17, 2023
I found this to have an extremely slow start. And everyone was VERY annoying. But they grew into working together and finding their flow. All they needed was a common goal. In the end, this book was really joyful. The family came together, mystery was solved, grief was overcome, memories were made, and the kids and adults learned and changed. I ended up really enjoying it.
July 27, 2024
This book has some good character development and looks at the relationships between family members. I love how this books shows how we can sometimes be surprised to learn about the life of a person we thought we knew! Good MY fiction - some adventure for those who are.looking for that, but mostly a good look at family and friends who fill our lives.
August 2, 2024
Cute, but not particularly memorable. Grandma passed away so the family goes to visit grumpy old Grandpa who is trying to process his grief. Two kids end up staying with him and go on wild, unrealistic adventures. They learn that they can be anything they want to be and don’t need to label themselves.
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