White Bees: Book Review
Tami L. Johnson
If you’ve had the chance to see the movie, Wonder, or read the book, you know it’s all about a very brave boy. A boy who struggles with the challenges of cranial- facial difficulties from various perspectives. Several have been touched by this story and the kindness of true friendship. Much like the book, Wonder, I would like to introduce you to: White Bees.
This book is near and dear to my heart as is the author who wrote it, Amy Jo Wilde. She is also my amazing sister! Five years ago, she had an idea to write her story and share it with the world. I’m so glad she did!
This book is a memoir all about her beginnings as an infant on up to her junior year in high school. Inside the cover of White Bees, we read that, “Amy Jo Wilde, born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, bravely takes on her trial with optimism, protected by the White Bees and finds the power of God in the beautiful pattern of her life.
Indeed, it is a beautiful pattern. From the earliest memories I have of Amy, she never seemed any different from me. I loved that she was my sister!
I did not understand all that Amy had to endure throughout her life. In 1989, I finally caught a glimpse of her struggles when we flew to Alabama to watch our older sister, Jeannie, participate in a pageant. As I watched Amy sip her food through a tiny straw, knowing her jaws were wired shut from a recent surgery, it hit me like a ton of bricks… “This must be so hard for her!”
Amy begins her story by sharing a note to the reader with these words: “In 1973, there were 3.14 million babies born with a cleft palate. In March of 1973, I was one of those babies, and was lucky to be born into an incredible and supportive family. Everyone has a story, this is mine.”
She also shares, in Chapter 1, about our lovely Mother by saying, “My mother has loved me from the very start. I must have felt her faith as she took me in her arms the day I was born and looked upon my tangled face and into my new blue eyes with courage and complete understanding, knowing the road ahead would be laced with trials and mixed with grace.”
There are definitely moments of great trial throughout this book, but in between it all are the sweet reminders of God’s love for each of us and the triumph when we believe. He is there to help us no matter how great or small our needs are.
“Then I thought about God, sitting up there higher than the man on the moon, looking over me. He certainly understood what I was going through, and I bet he even had a great plan in store for me. I trusted that he did, anyway.”
Amy’s book shows the reader that true beauty comes from within. She emphasizes how our souls matter and how our courage to “Be the One” to reach out to another is so vital. We are all important and all have something to give.
You’ll want to learn for yourself how the title, White Bees, came about. You’ll also need to know who Katie is and the valuable role she played. And of course, Jamie.
White Bees is a truly remarkable book and is especially indispensable for the teenage audience.
