Review by GiGi Kang
Tundra Books, 2023
211 pages, hardcover, $22.99 CAD, 978-0-735269-30-9
8 to 12 years, Middle Grade
Fiction, Mystery
Leo had always thought the view from their fourteenth floor condo was spectacular. But it had nothing on the view from the top of Heron Mountain. The gray-blue Pacific Ocean seemed to stretch on forever, speckled with whitecaps and rippled with currents. Here and there, other islands rose out of the water like big, green sea creatures. (118)
Have you ever taken a personality test and felt dissatisfied with the result? According to a website called Fatefinder.com, eleven-year-old Leo is an Auditor. This means he is curious and cautious, but he’s tired of being labelled so. His dad is a Problem Solver, his mom is a Counselor, and his younger sister, Lizzie, is an Adventurer, which Leo wishes he could be. Luckily, his wary ways are tested on a trip to visit his Grandpa on Heron Island in Western British Columbia. When the beehives that Leo’s Grandma cared for before her passing away are stolen late at night, Leo, Lizzie, and Grandpa undertake a bold mission of getting the hives back—they call it their big sting.
Grandpa is grieving the loss of his wife, Evelyn. He carries around a book called Everything Bees that belonged to Evelyn, is extremely grumpy, and has only one rule for the adventure: make no puns. As Grandpa, Leo, and Lizzie embark on their mission of finding the stolen hives, Delaney reveals more about Grandpa, including his humour and the types of activities he enjoyed in his youth. The subtlety through which Delaney reveals his best qualities—the passion he has for restoring his wife’s precious beehives, his muted love for his family—is a great strength of the novel, establishing an affectionate and tender atmosphere. Here, Delaney demonstrates that each grieving journey can be unique, and that’s just fine.
Similar to Grandpa’s characteristics being slowly unveiled, Leo’s status as the family Auditor starts to change. By going through the suspect list, driving around Heron Island looking for clues, and meeting all types of new people, Leo becomes somewhat of an Adventurer himself. Through Leo’s journey, Delaney encourages young readers to stay open about their strengths; being labelled a certain way does not have to be all-defining, and you can continue to grow as an individual. In addition, Leo learns how to appreciate nature. Heron Island is the complete opposite of his big-city life in Toronto. His previous experience with beekeeping and nature is limited to the virtual environments of video games. Through new, real-life experiences with Grandpa, he learns to appreciate the beauty of nature and Delaney teaches readers not to be afraid of the unfamiliar, but rather to consider what they might learn from each new experience. As Lizzie and Leo grow closer to Grandpa, they learn more about the world and continue to grow as individuals, making for an inspiring read.
Alongside the mystery, The Big Sting includes humour, especially through Lizzie. She is an endearing character with a great love for animals and spontaneity. While it takes Leo a while to appreciate Heron Island, Lizzie is enamoured from the start and quickly finds a kitten to befriend. Her energy is apparent from her sharp and positive dialogue. Lizzie doesn’t try to be anyone but herself, and Delaney achieves the depiction of a confident, heartening Adventurer through her character.
Heron Island is a dazzling setting that can stir curiosity in any city-kid reader. Not only are its natural details impressive, but the island’s community is supportive and just as beautiful as the landscape. Those on Heron Island are more than willing to come to the aid of anyone if needed, and though it takes a while for a certain grumpy Grandpa to realize this, he eventually learns that it is okay to ask for help. The Big Sting follows a perfect pace with the mystery developing alongside multiple meaningful relationships. It is a motivating read for young Adventurers and Auditors alike.
GiGi Kang is a UBC graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. She is a creative writer, writing poetry, fiction, and screenplays. At The Luna Collective, she interviews creatives from around the world, and reviews latest music and film releases. Read more at gigikang.com.
YOUNG ADULTING 