This is the story of an orphan girl named Bee who lives with a traveling carnival. It's set during WWII, but all the action is in small town America. Bee has a large birthmark on her face which attracts unwanted attention and bullying. When the story begins her only friend is Pauline, the young woman who has taken care of Bee since her parents died.

Bee narrates the story with a calm and steady fortitude that only rarely dissolves into sadness. Her voice was at times charming, soothing, and a bit stiff to me. It's difficult to describe, but I think some examples will do. She often speaks in precepts:

"When you are sleeping in the back of a hauling truck you do not want anybody coming in and bothering you."
"Generally, it is not a good idea to fret too long over things like ladies who disappear."
"As a general rule of thumb, it is a good idea to think about other things when you are bothered."
"Generally, when you find yourself in a bad situation it is a good idea not to make it worse."

Right from the beginning, Bee tells us why she has so many adages to live by: "When you have a diamond on your face, you have rules about things."

The story takes a turn when Bee decides to leave the dull and difficult carnival life to find a new home for herself, her dog, Peabody, and her favorite pig, Cordelia. She is guided by a woman in an orange floppy hat, who, Bee realizes, is only visible to Bee and Peabody. As is almost always the case in stories such as these, Bee discovers strength and confidence she didn't know she had. (Interestingly, she turns into a bit of a bully herself when given the chance to get back at one of her tormenters.)

Besides the obvious theme of thriving despite your hardships, there were also themes of acknowledging the hardships of others, making your own family, and discovering your past. This book stands out from other "triumphing over adversity" stories and "non-traditional family" stories because of the magical realism elements and the distinctness of Bee's voice. The plot sort of ambles but the mystery of the lady in the orange floppy hat should keep readers turning the pages. ( )

middlegrade fiction; being teased at school for very visible birthmark having ghost friends that no one else can see historic fiction (ww2 era). ( )

This book was a slow burn. Bee's life has not been easy. When she finds herself on her own at a young age, a woman who she's seen her whole life shows up and gives her a home when she needs it most. Thing is nobody else can see her aunts. She's raised in a traveling show during WWII, and while she has some great people looking out for her, there are some nasty ones too. She's born with a large birthmark on her face which she thinks make her seem a freak. Eventually she learns she's got lots of good going for her too. ( )

Very well written book! ( )

Narrated by Ariadne Meyers. Twelve-year-old Bee is an orphan who's been raised on the carnival circuit by a young woman named Pauline. Bee loves Pauline who accepts and loves her completely, fondly describing Bee's port-wine stain on her cheek as a kiss from an angel. Sensitive Bee is very self-conscious about the stain, hiding it with her hair. But the carnival breaks off for other locations and Bee and Pauline are separated. Bee stands fearfully on the threshold of having to rely on her inner strength, with the help of two grandmotherly ghosts who hold the key to Bee's past. Meyers reads with a sweetness and compassion that Bee's story needs. Bee's transformation seemed a bit long as was the story, and the grandmother ghosts felt conveniently plopped in there. In the end, though, Bee's happy ending was satisfying. ( )