KISSING THE BEE

Koja's novel on three seniors ready to burst from the hive of high school is presented by a fifteen-member cast, including director Daniel Bostick. Dana's senior project on bees blends mythology and science, with segments of these read as introductions to each chapter. The bee theme and research are a metaphorical backdrop to the simmering romance and dissolving friendship between queen bee Avra, her boyfriend, Emil, and her best friend, Dana. Kathleen Wrinn does the bossy, petulant Avra annoyingly well. Sarah Gorman's more easygoing Dana is a pleasure to follow even as she copes with the fallout from her realization that romance trumps friendship. D.P.D. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2009]