Sue Monk Kidd is an American author with many popular books. Her most popular book being The Secret Life of Bees with over 8 million copies sold. The Secret Life of Bees conveys the story of a young girl who felt trapped in an abusive home with her angry father. Lily, without a mother, became very close with her caretaker Rosaleen. Her loyalty and love towards Rosaleen are shown when Lily breaks Rosaleen out of jail and runs away with her. That is where the story begins, running away. Lily had finally had enough of her life on the Peach farm, with her violent father. She ran away to the only place her deceased mother led her to, Tiburon South Carolina. Starting her new life of lies in Tiburon, Lily and Rosaleen stated staying with a group of African American sisters. A young white girl staying with a group of African Americans was quite controversial at the time, but Lily didn’t care. As Lily stayed with the sisters she grew close with all, but especially August. She felt a certain comfort from August that she had never gotten from anyone, not even Rosaleen. The longer Lily stayed with the sisters, and the closer she got to them, the lies became too much for her to bear. One day she decided to tell August why she really was in Tiburon- breaking Rosaleen out of jail, her abusive father, but most importantly her mother. August shared that she knew Lily’s mother, taking Lily by surprise. August had known Lily’s mother since she was a little girl and took care of her. Lily’s mother had meant everything to August, just like Lily now did. August continued to be there for Lily and answered her questions about her mother, making their relationship even stronger. So, when Lily’s father came to the house to take Lily, August had made sure he wouldn’t. She guaranteed a safe and loving home where Lily would be able to grow up in. Lily’s father in defeat and confrontation let Lily stay with the sisters. Lily, now free of her father and living with pieces of her mother, felt a sense of peace and freedom. This book shows bravery and independence through Lily taking matters of her life in her own hands and creating herself a new life. This book also represents a sense of sisterhood through Rosaleen, Lily, August and the other sisters having each other’s backs throughout the book. Overall reading this book has taught me many lessons and I would recommend it!