Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - January/February 2014 - (Page 36)

off the shelf The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd Review by Zain Athar In Sue Monk Kidd's novel The Secret Life of Bees, Lily Owens, a 14-yearold white girl, sets off on a journey in the racist American South of 1964 to find the answer to her lifelong question: What happened to my mother? Lily lives in a small town in South Carolina with her abusive father, T-Ray, a peach farmer who blames Lily for the death of her mother-an event that occurred when Lily was just two years old. To avoid incurring T-Ray's wrath, Lily must constantly appeal to his "better nature," but often fails; many nights are spent kneeling down on grits while T-Ray sits watching. But as she turns 14, Lily is increasingly inquisitive about her mother and the larger world outside. When Rosaleen, the Owens' black housemaid, takes Lily to town to purchase a birthday gift for her and register to vote for the first time, the two encounter white men who taunt Rosaleen with racial slurs and laugh about her desire to vote. Lily urges Rosaleen to ignore them and move on, but Rosaleen, a snuff addict who carries a pitcher filled with spit wherever she goes, does the unthinkable: She pours the snuff juice on the men's shoes. Furious, the men beat Rosaleen, but-times being what they are-Rosaleen and Lily are the ones who end up in jail. T-Ray bails Lily out but doesn't bother with Rosaleen, who remains in jail. At home, Lily, who has a fascination with bees, traps one in a jar. When she sets it free, the bee stays in the jar. This symbol starts Lily on a journey to rescue Rosaleen, the only person who truly cares for her. Together, the two travel down to Tiburon, South Carolina, the name scrawled on the back of the only picture Lily has from her mother. Stopping at a general store to buy food, Lily finds clues that lead her to a community of beekeepers who help her learn the truth about her mother's fate. In the process, Lily confronts her own racial prejudices and finds many "mothers" to watch over her. What I treasure most in this book are the motifs and symbols woven throughout the story. For instance, water is seen to both bring about and resolve conflicts. Moons symbolize guidance during Lily's journey (which is itself a symbol of her longer, personal journey), beehives represent community, and the Black Mary- found on everything from the one picture Lily had from her mother 36 imagine to the label on a jar of honey at the general store-symbolizes a mother for all. The literary devices in The Secret Life of Bees have drawn the attention of critics and academics, but it is the human element that makes it a great read for everyone. Zain Athar is a freshman at Avon High School in Connecticut, where he plays the viola and competes in Mock Trial and debate club. In his free time, you can find him playing squash, speaking German, or watching Shark Tank. Also recommended Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is a retelling of 19th-century U.S. history. While the book is in an academic style, it is actually a fictional account of Lincoln's experience with vampires. During his life, readers learn, Lincoln tried to destroy these enemies of freedom. Even the Civil War was part of his quest: it was really a battle against the slave-loving vampires of the South. Grahame-Smith's parody of scholarly analysis creates an air of truth that makes the exciting plot more believable. -Abraham Joyner-Meyers, 14, MD The Sibyl by Par Lagerkvist Filled with elegant prose and personal mystery, The Sibyl tells the story of a disgraced oracle and her relationship with the divine. A beautiful tale that forces readers to reconsider the nature of god, The Sibyl is a fast but thought-provoking read. -Tristan Beiter, 15, PA A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." So begins this classic novel that tells of the violence and instability during the French Revolution. The story starts with the life and marriage of Charles Darnay and Lucie Manette, French citizens in England who return with their family to France when Darnay is pulled into the political turmoil there. With memorable characters and a surprising twist of plot, this story will leave readers thinking for days to come. -Zelin Liu, 13, MD Jan/Feb 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - January/February 2014

Big Picture
In My Own Words
Legal Discovery
Order in the Court
Think, Debate, Change the World
Voice of the Students
What Young Inventors Need to Know about Patents
A Practice and a Passion
The Science of Crime Detection
The Medical Examiner Is In
Selected Opportunities and Resources
Wild in the City
Off the Shelf
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options
One Step Ahead
Planning Ahead for College
Students Review
Creative Minds Imagine
Mark Your Calendar
Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - January/February 2014