Counter Arts Book Club

Book Title: Honeybee

From Jasper Jones

Glad

Glad is the word that comes to mind when I think about my experience with the book, Honeybee.

I felt glad…

• this book was suggested by the Counter Arts Book Club. I don’t think I would have ever known about it otherwise.
• that in my position at work I can propose and schedule equity training for those serving diverse populations.
• to have adopted a son and have the opportunity to support him as he worked through the effects of poverty, mental health struggles, and addiction and realize there was more to his story.
• to have experiences with many students over the years that broadened my own perspective. Supporting Transgender Kids is a poem and the lessons I learned from my students.
• to know that awareness, understanding, and support is growing for all people, allowing everyone the opportunity to bloom. The world is more colorful, and beautiful when everyone shows their true colors.

GLAAD

It is a coincidence that I was feeling so glad to have read Honeybee and there is an organization, GLAAD, that shares stories from the LGBTQ community to accelerate acceptance.

This book review isn’t reading much like a book review — I was too glad for a critique-style review.

When reading, we are able to go behind the scenes and experience things from a different perspective. This is one of the most important things we can do to be a positive part of a more accepting world.

Messages

Jasper Jones crafted a story that allowed us into the characters’ hearts to see how a bit of love and acceptance can make a life or death difference.

These words from Dr. Rachel Richardson, in the afterword, really stood out to me. They offer a powerful summation of the messages this book delivers for everyone.

It’s the story of a girl trying to live, to believe that life can give you more than broken promises, where people can care about you without neglect or abuse. And it’s about realizing the only thing stopping you from living your best life is giving yourself permission to own it.

As bad as things might get, ultimately, love can triumph over ignorance and prejudice. Most importantly, when friends and those who love you have your back, when you can look out and see a better life for yourself, when you build the self-belief to give yourself permission, a stronger, truer, more joyous you can emerge. — Dr. Rachel Richardson

We all deserve to live our best life — and be glad in it!

Thanks for reading! I hope everyone takes some time to better understand experiences outside of their own. That is always a step in the right direction toward creating a more accepting world.

Thanks to Squeeze the Avocado, Carlos Garbiras, yesnodunno, and Will Hull for this book club!

The earnings from this article will be donated to advance literacy initiatives for aboriginal kids in Australia. You can check out the organization here: https://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/