BOSCO AND THE BEES

Ritchie’s middle-grade debut novel sees a curious young fairy develop an interest in bees, which his people treat as taboo.

Nine-year-old Bosco lives in Somewhere, a fairy community in the mountains of North America. Unlike the fairies of Fairy Land, which is kept locked away from the rest of the world behind an energy Barrier, Bosco’s people exist at one with nature. They cooperate with the birds and animals and practice ecologically responsible methods of subsistence. Bosco loves his life and his home, but the Ten-Year Rule hangs over his head—a decree by Queen Madrina that all young fairies must choose a life path by their 10th year or be indentured for five years at the Royal Court. Bosco has a great affinity for flying, so he thinks that perhaps he’ll study birds. However, he finds himself increasingly fascinated by bees; the only problem is that all fairies—even the open-minded folk of Somewhere—deeply dislike his new insect friends. What dark history is there between fairies and bees? And will Bosco be forced to leave his mountain home? Ritchie’s prose style feels every bit as natural as her protagonist’s surroundings. The dialogue is unobtrusive, and the plot unfolds with simple elegance, hinting at dangers but never allowing them to develop too far. Bosco is an inquisitive and likable protagonist who’s principled, positive, and personable. The other fairies of Somewhere are similarly agreeable, and each feels distinct; the fairies from the other side of the Barrier have more edge to them, yet their intrusion into Bosco’s world feels more a clash of cultures than a villainous act. Humankind lurks as a threat, but it, too, isn’t antagonistic; instead, it shows a critical failure to understand the balance of nature. Ritchie makes the ecological underpinnings of Bosco’s discoveries clear throughout. The message, though, is delivered not with a heavy hand but with the straightforwardness of a child’s perspective, unencumbered by adult rationalizations. The result is an easygoing, refreshing adventure that young readers will treasure.

A sweet story of learning about the world and changing it for the better.