The Queen Bee and Me

From the highly acclaimed author of Caterpillar Summer comes a heartfelt story about the sweetness and stings of middle-school friendship.

Meg has always found comfort in her best friend Beatrix's shadow. Self-assured Beatrix is the one who makes decisions, and the girls have been a pair since kindergarten. But middle school has brought some changes in Beatrix, especially when Meg tries to step outside her role as sidekick.

A special science elective is Meg's first step away, but when she's paired with quirky new girl Hazel, Beatrix steps in to stake her claim on Meg. Meg is taken aback at how mean Beatrix can be--and how difficult it is to stand up to her friend. But as Meg gets to know Hazel while working on their backyard beehive project, she starts to wonder: Is being Beatrix's friend worth turning down the possibility of finding her own voice?

This pitch-perfect exploration of middle-school friendship dynamics brims with heart and hope, and will resonate with readers of all ages.

Acclaim for Caterpillar Summer
An Indies Introduce Pick
A Texas Bluebonnet Selection
A Parents Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
An Amazon Best Book of the Year

Author: Gillian McDunn
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 03/03/2020
Pages: 288
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.70w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9781681197517
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.1
Point Value: 8
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 506148 / Queen Bee and Me


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2019
Booklist 01/01/2020 pg. 96
Publishers Weekly 01/20/2020
School Library Journal 02/01/2020 pg. 66
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 04/01/2020

About the Author

Gillian McDunn is the author of Caterpillar Summer. She has lived in California, Missouri, and North Carolina, and is a fan of both the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. She currently lives near Raleigh, NC, with her family.
www.gillianmcdunn.com