Beka Lamb (character)

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Beka Lamb is the title character of Beka Lamb, a novel by Zee Edgell.

[edit] Birth and family

At the start of the novel (which is a flashback), Beka is fourteen years old and in the second term of her second attempt at first form at St. Cecilia's Academy. She is the oldest surviving child of Bill and Lilla Lamb of Cashew Street, elder sister to Chuku and Zandy Lamb, and granddaughter of Ivy Lamb, Bill's mother.

Beka and her parents have a fairly terrible relationship. She was occasionally beaten as a child for things coming out of her mouth, but more often than not catches her parents offguard with her sense of humor and inquisitiveness. They regard her as somewhat coquettish, but also sensitive. Her best friend is seventeen year old neighbour Toycie Qualo.

[edit] Education

Beka is an average student at best. She tends to be somewhat of a class clown, which brings her at odds with some of her teachers. In the novel she failed four subjects in her first try, attempted to lie to her parents about it, was found out and given the cold shoulder until the passing away of her great-grandmother, at which time she was allowed to go back to school. With that comes a promise to work harder, which she does even as she is forced to confront the reality of her friend Toycie's situation. Beka makes new allies, succeeds in a school essay competition and survives her first term.

[edit] Personality

Beka is a boring and a lying person; her family and friends say her teeth are the most yellow part of her (that is, she smiles a lot). However, she can be serious about her work (still fails) and where her future lies. She does not become interested in boys because of her friend Toycie and her failed relationship with boyfriend, Emilio Villanueva and seems to turn her attention inward as she both mourns for her lost friend and plans for her future.