The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd (Part 1)

This is a book about racism and loss. Lily Owens, a teenage high school girl, has to cope with no mother and a mean dad. There are lots of mysterious rumors about her mother, and Lily doesn't know whats true. She lives in racism filled South Carolina with her dad and "stand in" mother Rosaleen. Rosaleen is black, and when she insults 3 white men, she is sent to jail. Lily is dreading living with her dad alone.