The Honey Bus

A Memoir of Loss, Courage and a Girl Saved by Bees

By: Meredith May

Narrated by: Candace Thaxton

An extraordinary story of a girl, her grandfather and one of nature’s most mysterious and beguiling creatures: the honeybee.

Meredith May recalls the first time a honeybee crawled on her arm. She was five years old, her parents had recently split and suddenly she found herself in the care of her grandfather, an eccentric beekeeper who made honey in a rusty old military bus in the yard. That first close encounter was at once terrifying and exhilarating for May, and in that moment she discovered that everything she needed to know about life and family was right before her eyes, in the secret world of bees.

May turned to her grandfather and the art of beekeeping as an escape from her troubled reality. Her mother had receded into a volatile cycle of neurosis and despair and spent most days locked away in the bedroom. It was during this pivotal time in May’s childhood that she learned to take care of herself, forged an unbreakable bond with her grandfather and opened her eyes to the magic and wisdom of nature.

The bees became a guiding force in May’s life, teaching her about family and community, loyalty and survival, and the unequivocal relationship between a mother and her child. Part memoir, part beekeeping odyssey, The Honey Bus is an unforgettable story about finding home in the most unusual of places and how a tiny, little-understood insect could save a life.

Heartfelt

I really enjoyed this book. It was very relatable and heartfelt. thank you for writing it.

Amazing story

I loved this book! I started my 1st beehive when I was 12 and the word pictures in the book at just beautiful. I could see myself learing the same things Meridith learns about honeybees. Her story is beautiful and tragic and I loved every second of this book!

Delightful

Who knew learning about bees could be so dividing. What an excellent job of story telling!

Life Dependent on This Story

I read most novels I see based on the life of bees. THE KEEPER OF THE BEES by Gene Stratton-Porter was my first. Life lessons taught by bees and those who care for them are invaluable. Our source of food lies in their existence. We must learn their life lessons for us and for the continuance of mankind. It rivals stories of survival and mystery. This story will awaken curiosity of the mind and drama of the soul. It awakens the essence of life itself

Good in every way

Really enjoyed every aspect of this story-from learning about bees to this woman's resilience. I was considering getting bees until I listened to this... This book is suitable for all ages.