The Summer We Saved the Bees

Reach for this book when your middle-schooler begins to feel a sense of 'secondary embarrassment' regarding your lifestyle, career, or public advocacy. It is a perfect choice for children who are navigating the delicate balance between family loyalty and the need for a private, normal identity. The story follows Wolf and his siblings as they travel across the country in a bee-themed van because of their mother's intense environmental activism. While it centers on the ecological importance of honeybees, the heart of the story explores the tension between a parent's passion and a child's right to their own voice. It is a humorous and poignant look at growing up, setting boundaries, and learning that you can love your family while still wanting a different life for yourself. Suitable for ages 9 to 12, it validates the complex feelings of kids who feel like their parents' choices define them.