What to read after Quest for the First Hive?

Ray and her “Fa” were a pair of storytellers. One day Fa was not there for story-time; he had gone off to a faraway land where Ray could not reach him. To cheer themselves up, Ray and her Mum went to the Toronto Zoo to visit Tum the orphan Giraffe. Ray has a special gift: she can interpret sound waves into feelings and words. In this way she learns of a corporate plot to genetically modify bees.

How can she save the pollinators? Who would believe her? How can a 12-year-old girl warn the Queen of the Queen bees in the heart of Africa about the plot to modify her genetic code so that in the future bees will only pollinate trademarked crops? Can she go on this Quest and get out of this funk that she’s in? Especially with a risk-averse Mum who is only interested in Sufi dancing, meditation, macrobiotic diets and the inner journey.

You just can’t do it without a little mischief and misdirection and many allies along the way.

Ray spins such a convincing tale that even her teacher, Mrs. MacFiercesome gives her permission to go on an extended field trip. Ray enlists Zhabbo, an old Kung San friend of her Father’s and after she comes clean about her web of deception, her Mother agrees to accompany her to Africa.

They fly into Windhoek and spend the summer holidays with the legendary medicine man uLangalibalela; on a trek across the desert with a honey-guide named Tuliliki, eventually solving the mystery of a ship's anchor in the desert, which points to the location of the First Hive.

Along the way they confront their fears and meet magical allies; a praying mantis that sacrifices its life protecting them from the drone's attack; a meerkat that shows them the entrance to the First Hive and a honey badger that puts bees to sleep with its farts.

Just when it looks like all is lost, Ray finally meets the Queen of Queens and warns her of the plot to alter her DNA. Ray returns to school after the summer holidays with a little more confidence, a promise to be less deceptive in the future -- and a pet meerkat! 

For the young and young at heart who wish to enjoy a lively romp through the great Kalahari desert, seen through the eyes of an altruistic and mischievous young storyteller.