THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES

CHARACTERS

• Lily Owens-14 year old girl that ran away from home
• T. Ray- Lilys father, very mean and abusive towards Lily
• Deborah Owens-Lilys mother, died when she was 4
• Rosaleen- Lily's "stand in mother", great relationship with Lily
• August Boatwright- becomes very close to Lily, took care of her mom

PLOT

• Lily runs away from home with Rosaleen, who was in trouble
• They find a house that Lily knows connects with her mother
• They become very close with the Boatwrights, who are colored
• People around town are concerned that Lily is staying with a bunch of blacks
• Regardless, Lily becomes part of the family and refuses to leave

SETTING
-The book first takes place in Sylvan, South Carolina where Lily originally lives with her father, but after running away she lives in Tiburon, South Carolina. The book takes place in 1964.

THEME
-I think the theme of this book is to forgive but never forget. Lily blames herself for her mothers death, she eventually forgives herself but will never forget it.

PERSONAL CONNECTION
-I personally connected to this book when all the characters experienced grief, because so have I.

RATING AND RECOMENDATION
- I give this book a 4/5 stars and would recommend it to anyone who likes exciting and interesting stories about the past.