Little Bee is the story of a young Nigerian girl who escapes Nigeria due to many horrifying events she experienced while raised there. She flees to England and eventually seeks a couple whom she met on the Nigerian shore. How they met and what happens after she flees is the story that this book unfolds. Yet is it not just the story of Nigerian refugee but the story of all refugees, addressing why they flee and what happens after they flee. 
 Overall, I rather enjoyed this book. I thought many parts of it were very realistically and beautifully written. Personally, I loved how the author, Chris Cleave, came about writing this story, by seeing an immigration removal center (or detention center). He used his knowledge of a particularly detention center in England, and the stories of the people there, to inspire this story and show how much disregard there is for the lives of refugees. Many have trouble fully comprehending the terrors that they run from and how we treat them when they arrive to their destination. So, in that respect, I really admired that he used a fictional story to also shed light on current times and truths. I seek books that send messages, particularly messages that impact us at the core. This book did that for me. 
 Granted, it wasn't perfection. Many reviewers harshly criticize the cover because of the loud way in which the recommendations by authors, journals, and newspapers praise the book. They felt let down by it. Personally I try not to fall into any hype and also have to remember that, most of the time, the author has no say over the cover of his or her book. So, I set that aside. 
 At the same time, Little Bee (the book not the character) left me feeling both fulfilled and empty. I think this was part of the goal because that sums up the story. However, there were times when I found it lacking or I felt myself wanting more. One instance is in the case of the character, Charlie. I thought Charlie, the young son of Sarah, was an adorable character. Actually he was my favorite character. His unwillingness to never remove his Batman costume and only go by the name Batman was both cute and revealing of his grief. The dialogue with Charlie was my favorite because of the way he would converse. It showed is vulnerability and heart. I wanted more of his character. Cleave placed him here and there and intertwined him with Little Bee's character here and there, and in one major role. I just wish he played an even larger role, with more interaction between Little Bee and Charlie. The only other complaint is that I found myself wanting more dialogue. 
 Otherwise, I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the message. I enjoyed most of the characters and am glad I read it. I consider a book success to me when I feel I have learned something and when I'm glad the experience of it. Little Bee did that for me.