The Way to Bea - by Kat Yeh (Paperback)

About the Book

With a charming voice, winning characters, and a perfectly woven plot, the acclaimed author of "The Truth About Twinkie Pie" delivers a powerful story of friendship and finding one's path towards a new way to belong.

Book Synopsis

With a charming voice, winning characters, and a perfectly-woven plot, Kat Yeh delivers a powerful story of friendship and finding a path towards embracing yourself.

Everything in Bea's world has changed. She's starting seventh grade newly friendless and facing big changes at home, where she is about to go from only child to big sister. Feeling alone and adrift, and like her words don't deserve to be seen, Bea takes solace in writing haiku in invisible ink and hiding them in a secret spot.

But then something incredible happens--someone writes back. And Bea begins to connect with new friends, including a classmate obsessed with a nearby labyrinth and determined to get inside. As she decides where her next path will lead, she just might discover that her words--and herself--have found a new way to belong.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Truth About Twinkie Pie:
*"Yeh's characters are full of heart and she perfectly captures the middle school parent-child dynamic."
--Library Media Connection (starred review)

Praise for The Way to Bea: *"A winning combination of humor, heart, and redemption."
--School Library Journal (starred review)

"Combine equal parts funny, sweet, and warm with a whole heap of unique."--Barbara O'Connor, author of How to Steal a Dog and Greetings from Nowhere

"Endearing characters will keep readers engaged throughout as more than one character learns the true meaning of family and friendship."--School Library Journal

"Gets to the heart of middle school awkwardness like a sympathetic haiku."--Kirkus Reviews

"Here's the Truth: This book is going to make you hungry. It's going to make you worry. It's going to make you want to hug your family and friends. And then it's going to make you want to gaze up at the shooting stars and smile, so happy that there is a book in the world like this one."--Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor author of The Underneath

"Irresistible...hard to put down and memorable."--Rita Williams-Garcia, Coretta Scott King Award winner and Newbery Honor author of One Crazy Summer and P.S. Be Eleven

"Moving and wise."
--Publishers Weekly

"The bouncy voice of protagonist Gigi--aka Galileo Galilei, aka Leia--makes her tale of a move, friendship, crushes, and a mystery about her identity a very easy one to get caught up in."--Booklist

"The quirky and original characters (particularly the artistic and exuberant Bea) help to distinguish this title from the recent slew of realistic middle grade books. This one is a keeper."--School Library Connection

"This story will tug at your heartstrings and make you hungry at the same time."--VOYA

"Yeh exquisitely captures the feelings of a preteen...Bea's journey of self-discovery reminds readers it is important to be present for the journey of finding one's own voice and place."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Yeh, the author of The Truth About Twinkie Pie, has created an indelible character in Bea...In a welcome divergence from the traditional coming-of-age novel, The Way to Bea is not the story of a young girl discovering who she is, but rather a girl who knows from harsh experience that being yourself can be the fastest way to trouble."--Lisa Graff, The New York Times Book Review

"Yeh's nimbly voiced, combination fish-out-of-water, personal transformation and emotional family tale is also stuffed with charm."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Kat Yeh is the author of the critically acclaimed middle grade novels The Truth About Twinkie Pie and The Way to Bea. She grew up reading, writing, and dreaming in Westtown, Pennsylvania. She currently lives with her family on Long Island. Learn more about Kat at katyeh.com.