The Last Beekeeper

Twelve-year-old Latinx Yolanda "Yoly" Cicerón has never known life without the System that connects everyone and everything around her. After climate disasters plunged the world into darkness, Silo--"the most connected and technologically advanced town in the Valley"--rose up as a beacon of hope, keeping people safe from nature's brutal forces. Yoly dreams of living there, among the brightest and most privileged minds, instead of on her family's struggling strawberry farm with her overbearing older sister. But her ambitions are jeopardized when money becomes too tight for Yoly to continue her Technologically Intuitive Education. Determined to enroll by any means possible, she accepts a scholarship from the mayor that hinges on attending a deadly scavenging program, then stumbles into a bee colony--and a dangerous conspiracy. Cartaya's quick-moving plot pairs well with Yoly's lively voice, highlighting themes of resistance, communal and ecological interdependence, and a shared responsibility to nature that's sure to leave readers buzzing. Ages 8-12. Agent: Jess Regel, Foundry Literary + Media. (July)

Gr 4-6--Cartaya's newest novel gives readers a dynamic, plot-driven story with heart. Set in the future after climate disasters and constant virtual connectivity have altered the way of life, the plot centers Yoly Cicerón, who wants to go to school to become a surgeon--not a farmer in the Valley like her exiled parents. After accepting a scholarship from the powerful Silo without reading the fine print, Yoly soon realizes that all of the connectivity is just another way for a few affluent people to control impoverished families like hers and keep them in debt. After discovering their abuela's writings about the fabled bees and their importance in pollination, Yoly and her older sister Cami go on a mission to revitalize their family farm, clear their debts, and save the Valley from the Silo. Readers will find Yoly authentic and endearing even when she makes rash decisions. The depiction of Latinx culture intertwined with the culture of the Valley and the Silo bring necessary texture to the plot. The relationships Yoly builds and her realizations about the beauty of connecting with people in-person happens naturally. While some of the motivation of the villains falls a little flat at the end, the purpose of the hero remains, and ultimately sparks conversation about our own climate crisis. An action-packed adventure that reflects our own mistakes and predicts our fears for the future. Similar titles include Jeanne DuPrau's The City of Ember and Rodman Philbrick's The Last Book in the Universe. VERDICT Highly recommended for middle school readers who enjoy dystopian adventures and science.--Hilary Tufo

The Last Beekeeper will stay with you long after you finish it. Yolanda gives us a glimpse into a terrifying future, but she also reminds us that we have everything we need to make our world a better place. — Erin Entrada Kelly, author of Hello, Universe, winner of the Newbery Medal, and We Dream of Space

The Last Beekeeper will sting readers from page one and leave them buzzing for more! A timely and thrilling adventure with a message that inspires hope for a greener tomorrow. — Ryan Calejo, author of the Charlie Hernández series