When the Bees Fly Home

CLASSROOM GUIDE

 

In WHEN THE BEES FLY HOME, it’s frustrating for young Jonathan, the son of a beekeeper, when he isn’t quite strong enough to help his dad with some of the work on the farm. Sometimes his father is irritable with him, and it’s worse now, because the family is struggling to make ends meet during a drought, and their bees aren’t making much honey. When Jonathan’s mom stays up late one night to make beeswax candles to sell at the local farmer’s market, Jonathan comes downstairs to help. He puts his own skills to work modeling small wax animals and insects to decorate the candles—which prove so popular that they come home from the market with orders for lots more. Boys often gain recognition for their strength and athletic ability, and those who do not fit into the traditional mold may feel misunderstood. WHEN THE BEES FLY HOME helps us see that artistic and sensitive boys have their own special place.