1. Briefly describe the plot ( protagonist , setting , problem and resolution )What is the most interesting idea in
the plot that would draw readers in ?
The main character is Lily . Lily is a fourteen-year-old white girl born in the peach farm at South Carolina . She
accidentally kills her mother when she is four. With isolation and insecurity , Lily starts to think of her mother ,
she imagines her mother as her guardian angel . Her best friend who is also her housekeeper , Rosaleen , is caught
due to the racial discrimination . Lily decides to leave home and help Rosaleen to break out of the jail . They
eventually go to a August’s home .
The most interesting plot that can draw readers’ attention is the time when Lily discover the selection of Black
Madonna Honey jars as this is also mentioned when Lily finds the box of her mother’s things and the picture is
basically the same . This inspires me to think of what will happen next and draw my attention to read the book
continuously.
2. Describe a turning point or a significant event affects the development of the plot .
The turning point of the story is the time when Rosaleen brings Lily to the town and meet three racists who laughs
at Rosaleen . The racists even force Rosaleen to apologise and clean their shoes . One of those man even call the
police . This lead to the punishment later when T.Ray and Lily arrive home but lily stands up to him . Later , lily
helps Rosaleen to break out of the jail and head towards Tiburon where Lily starts her new life.
3. Who are the main characters in the book ? Describe each of them briefly in terms of their personality , main
motives?
• personality ( give examples that show their character traits )
• main motives ( what they are trying to achieve , why they act the way they do )
Lily is determinate . For instance , after she sees Rosaleen being confronted by a group of racists and this gives her
confidence to leave home to Tiburon . Her determination forces her to find more things about her mother and
therefore she asks the shopkeeper where he buys the Black Madonna Honey and try to figure out where is the bee
farm .
4. Briefly describe 1 secondary character in terms of
• his/her relationship with the main character
• his/her role in the story
August is once the housekeeper of Deborah who is Lily’s mother . August is a caring person who supports Lily
when she is down . For example , when Lily doesn’t know how to handle her feelings once she thinks of the death
of her mother . August will guide her which makes Lily becomes more optimistic . As August is older than Lily
and therefore she has more experiences . By sharing and guiding Lily , Lily feels more confidence .
5. What is the message conveyed in the book ? What techniques/events/symbols does the author use to reinforce
the theme ?
The message conveyed in the book is about racism . The author brings out this message using the events in the
story . One example is Rosaleen being discriminated by the racists on the way to the town . Another example is
August . August’s dream is being a lawyer . Lily has never thought that African Americans are smart . Lily thinks
all African Americans are uneducated like Rosaleen . Lily eventually learns that every people is unique .
Reflection ( about 200 words )
• How much do you identify with the main character ? Do you understand their feelings because of some events
in your own life ?
• How believable/credible/plausible are the characters , dialogue , events in the book ? Explain your view with
examples from the book .
• What makes this book worth reading ?
I understand Lily’s feelings . I lost my directions in studying when I was primary 3 . I performed really bad in the
first term . It was my first time to get a class position after 20 . I was really blue and lost all my confidence . It was
really hard to be confident . It is a long process when you set targets for yourself and gain confidence again .
I think this is a probably a true story as it is set in SouthCarolina in 1964 . At that time , it is still a time with racial
discrimination . White people are always the highest level in the city . They are always the ones who are are welleducated and can get good jobs . There are also so many prejudices against the African and therefore there are
racial discrimination . For example , Rosaleen is being discriminated by some racists and Lily has never though
that African are smart and creative like Zach. This book is worth reading since it brings out an important message .
As individuals , we cannot judge one regardless of skin colour or ethnicity .