Cover Image: The Theory of Hummingbirds

The Theory of Hummingbirds

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Alba and her best friend, Levi, have been inseparable since bonding over their love of hummingbirds and their shared hardships: Alba has a foot that didn’t form correctly that she’s named Cleo, and Levi has severe asthma. When Alba reveals her dream of running in the upcoming cross-country race, though, Levi is incredulous, causing Alba to lash out at his theory that their school librarian has a special portal in her office. Eventually, though, with the help of Alba’s mother and doctor, their school librarian, and a newfound friend, the two reunite, discovering the truth about the library portal and Cleo’s strength.

This is a slim volume, and as a result, most things could have been fleshed out more, but it’s still a solid story of friendship and perseverance even when your dream seems impossible to everyone around you. The disagreements between Levi and Alba are believable, as is the resolution, and when the two discover that their librarian is simply meditating in her office, the reader breathes a sigh of relief, because there simply wouldn’t have been enough room for a science fiction segway in this little book. Alba’s acceptance of her mother’s burgeoning relationship with the doctor who has been treating Cleo is heartwarming to see, since this is often used as conflict. All in all, a thin volume that provides excellent insight into the mind of a young person dealing with a physical disability. Recommended.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for an E ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Alba wants to be normal. She wants to looks like other kids, move like other kids, and most of all, she wants to run in the school’s upcoming race. But she has just completed her final surgery for her clubfoot (which she calls Cleo), and only has two weeks to get ready after her cast is removed. Her expectations are high, but those around her try to prepare her for reality. As Alba comes to terms with the fact that she will never be just like other kids, she also learns that a good friend matters more than being normal.

This was a good read, and I actually learned a lot about hummingbirds. The topic is not often covered in middle grade literature, and the author had surgery to repair a clubfoot in elementary school, so I appreciate the perspective she shares. The book is not long, so it’s appealing to a wide variety of readers.

Was this review helpful?

I had the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for this review. This middle grade novel is an appealing blend of inspirational realistic fiction with a dash of science fiction. Alba has spent her entire life dealing with braces, crutches, and surgeries to correct a deformity in her left foot. Now she’s in sixth grade and nearly finished recovering from her final surgery. She wants nothing more than to be normal, and to her that means being able to participate in the big cross-country race at school. At the same time, she and her best friend, Levi, are pretty sure that there is an inter-galactic wormhole in the school librarian’s office. Between Alba’s dreams of running like the wind on her left foot, which she has nicknamed “Cleo” and the mystery of the librarian’s daily lunchtime disappearance, young readers will enjoy the quick-paced, engaging story in this book.
I think the character development in this book is pretty good. Alba’s growing frustration with the seemingly slow pace of her recovery and her impatience to get rid of the crutches and other symbols of her “abnormality” is realistic. Young readers will be able to relate to her feelings and her interactions with her friends and her mother.
The symbolism of the hummingbirds is woven throughout the story. The hummingbird is unable to walk, because its feet are too small. Imbedded in the novel is “The Story of the Hummingbird and the Fire”. The message of the story dovetails with the theme of this book, the hummingbird is not discouraged because of what it can’t do, it does what it can. “The Theory of Hummingbirds is to just be who you are and do the best you can…LOVE who you are and LOVE what you can do.”
This is a good book to share with middle grade students from grades 4 – 8. It has appeal for most students. It also has a terrific message for the development of a growth mindset.

Was this review helpful?

The Theory of Hummingbirds

by Michelle Kadarusman

Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC

Pajama Press



Children's Fiction

Pub Date 16 Oct 2017

I am reviewing a copy of The Theory of Hummingbirds through Pajama Press and Netgalley:

Alba's Mother tells her that Hummingbirds and angels don't need two good feet because they have wings but Alba does not have wings or two good feet, she has a club foot she calls Cleo.

After one final surgery and one final cast Alba is ready to face the world head on. She is determined to run in the sixth grade cross country race, sadly her friend Levi does not think she can pull it off. Tempers soon flare and the two friends are left to discover theories of their own.

I give The Theory of Hummingbirds five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Was this review helpful?

“Hummingbirds and angels don’t need two good feet. They have wings.”

Alba envies the runners on her school's team and dreams of a day that her club foot, (nicknamed Cleo), will be "normal" and she too can be as fast and free as her peers. Her friend, Levi, is truthful about his concern that she cannot make such a meteoritic evolution and wants her to help him solve the mystery of the disappearing teacher and the possible wormhole in her closet. As close as they have been, this difference in belief may be what tears their friendship irreparably. Are the bonds of friendship strong enough to mend these breaks?

It was easy to fall in league with these two characters, as different and challenged as they each were as the story unfolds. Alba was remarkable for her perseverance and her drive, and Levi equally solid in his knowledge and conviction that space-time continuum and scientific discovery need not be left to the adults and titled scientists. This is a great book to share with students in discussion of friendship, resilience, perseverance, and goal-setting.

Was this review helpful?

Alba was born with a twisted foot and has undergone a final surgery that will help her walk as normally as possible. As the day approaches to have her cast removed, she sets her sights on running a race at the school. Unfortunately Alba's life is not going as well as she had hoped. After hurtful words have been exchanged, she and her best friend Levi are not speaking. Miranda, the accomplished runner Alba admires has made tentative overtures of friendship, but misinterpreting her actions, Alba thinks she is laughing at her. I was happy to see that the Doctor behaved appropriately and recommended a modified walk instead of the long run. With themes of self-acceptance and friendship this is a lovely book for middle grade readers.

Was this review helpful?

E ARC from Netgalley.

Alba is recuperating from what is hopefully the final surgery to correct her club foot, and she's very excited to get the cast off-- so excited that she is making plans to run in a cross country race. Her doctor even says she will be able to do anything! She mentions her plan to her friend Levi, who suffers from very bad asthma, but he isn't quite as sure about it. He is much more concerned that the librarian at their school, for whom they do a lot of work, has discovered a worm hole in her office and might be in danger of getting pulled into another dimension and being unable to get back. Alba is also concerned that her mother might find Dr. Schofield attractive, since it has always been just the two of them. When Alba finally gets the cast off, she starts right into physical therapy, but when Levi again disputes her ability to compete, the two have a falling out. Will Alba be able to run, or at least walk, in the race, and will Levi come around to supporting her?
Strengths: I loved that Alba was able to work with the runners even when she couldn't run-- she was keeping times. I also enjoyed the librarian, and the work that the children do in the library is realistic. At one point, the principal shoos them out because there is no one there to supervise them. Alba's medical issues are well explained, and she meets her challenges with positive but not candy coated thoughts. In a note at the end, the author explained that she herself had been born with a club foot, although hers was corrected at an earlier age.
Weaknesses: The characters read much younger than sixth grade. It was very clear that the librarian was not traveling through a worm hole but was resting in her office. I assumed she was eating her lunch while sitting on the floor because it was the only time she could get peace. Levi's worry and insistence on this theory seemed more like the reaction of a third grader.
What I really think: While I like the depiction of Alba's handling of her challenges, this seemed a bit young, and also had some odd Canadian wordings. (E.G.: supply teacher instead of substitute.) I may wait to purchase until I see if this has an Accelerated Reader test, although it would work well for the 7th grade unit on personal challenges.

Was this review helpful?