Hummingbird Season

by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic

Overview

A poignant and necessary story about finding hope during difficult times, set in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Archie's life—and the whole world—is turned upside down by Covid-19. Suddenly there are no more Friday night dinners out, no more going to school, no more hanging out with friends . . . no leaving the house at all.

Even though he's inside with his family all day every day, Archie can't help but feel more alone than ever before. While everyone else seems to be adapting to their new normal just fine, it's like Archie is permanently on mute, unable to find the words to describe how he feels—and sometimes, unable to find someone who will listen. The bright spot of Archie's days at home is watching and learning about the hummingbirds that feed outside his windows. But just when it seems like this could be what brings his family together again, California experiences its worst wildfire in history, and Archie's favorite hummingbird disappears. In a time when hope is hard to hold on to, Archie must find his voice and find hope once again.

Hummingbird Season is an honest and healing novel in verse documenting the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic and the things that bring us together when circumstances keep us apart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781547612741
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	02/13/2024
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 5.70(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic is the author of The End of Something Wonderful: A Practical Guide to a Backyard Funeral (Sterling) which received a starred review from Booklist and a glowing endorsement from SLJ's Betsy Bird; Hello, Star (Little Brown BYR) illustrated by Vashti Harrison; and middle grade novel The League of Picky Eaters (Clarion/Harper). She lives in the San Francisco Bay area with a few kids, a few cats, and one husband.

https://www.stephanielucianovic.com/

https://twitter.com/grubreport

Editorial Reviews

Hummingbird Season broke me open with its vivid portrayal of the early pandemic. Heartbreakingly relatable, everyone who lived through lockdown will find themselves in the pages of this book. Archie's emotional journey is rendered in clear, poignant verse, a balm to our scars and a reminder of the necessity of hope.” —Joy McCullough, author of National Book Award longlist title BLOOD WATER PAINT

“In a world that so often wants to pretend that kids are immune to collective trauma, Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic writes stories that validate their experiences and assure them that they are not alone. Hummingbird Season gently, lovingly gives today's readers space to process what they went through during the early pandemic, and it shows us all how to find hope, beauty, and connection whenever times are hard. Warm, thoughtful, and deeply lovely, this book is a gift.” —Anne Ursu, author of National Book Award longlist title THE REAL BOY

“In this engaging novel in verse, readers will identify with Archie as he navigates through the confusion and messiness of the pandemic lockdowns. I felt like I was in the company of a trustworthy friend who finds hope and connection amid isolation and uncertainty, and I cheered for Archie to find the strength to speak up for himself and others who needed their voices heard. Told with a perfect balance of humor and empathy, Hummingbird Season is a story that helps us feel less alone.” —Lynne Kelly, author of Schneider Family Award winner SONG FOR A WHALE

“Readers will gasp in wonder and empathy, cry and sometimes laugh, cheer at the upbeat conclusion, and feel every emotion that's so powerfully expressed. Brilliant.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Extremely well written and filled with colorful phrases . . . Young readers who have experienced COVID (and who like birds) are sure to enjoy.” —Booklist

“Lucianovic beautifully crafts this novel in verse, giving voice to a boy who is boisterous at times but often feels left on mute, lost in the shuffle of a changing world. Archie, his family, and Ruby remind readers there's comfort to be found in being together, even when everything else feels like it's falling apart.” —BCCB

“Captures the confusion and isolation of the first year of the pandemic, especially for kids . . . This beautifully written novel in verse offers a sensitive reflection on the pandemic and its emotional toll.” —School Library Journal

“Lucianovic portrays Archie's interior world in straightforward first-person verse that effectively captures the voice of an elementary schoolboy living through extraordinary times.” —Horn Book Magazine

“Readers will identify with his [Archie's] struggles with long-distance learning and feelings of isolation. His discovery of and growing fascination with a hummingbird propels him towards positivity and eventually helps him make the empathetic connections he longs for.” —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

★ 2023-11-04
A California boy chronicles the long, difficult Covid-19 lockdown in verses that explore his confused emotions.

On the day “that started everything” and that “was also a day that ended everything,” Archie’s life is turned upside down. School is abruptly closed, his parents must work from home, and big brother Hank is ever more difficult. Archie’s asthma puts him at risk, causing his parents to take ever-greater precautions. All this, plus attending “(not real) school at home,” makes him feel more and more isolated, unseen, and muted. He has outbursts of anger and despair: “…even though we’re together / stuck inside the house / we’re not really together-together.” Archie’s imagination is captured when he hears a brief buzzing sound, senses something whipping past, and witnesses “the smallest bird ever,” and he soon finds a new purpose. With help from his family, he carefully provides nectar for his “hummingbird restaurant” and becomes especially attached to Ruby, a hummingbird with red patches, as he watches for and worries about her, especially when a wildfire rages. Some poems are lists or consist of a few lines; others flow breathlessly, offering detailed accounts of events, beautiful descriptions, or information about hummingbirds. Archie often repeats important words, phrases, or concepts in a rhythmic way that emphasizes his escalating emotions. He’s intensely loving, deeply compassionate, insightful, inventive, and expressive. Readers will gasp in wonder and empathy, cry and sometimes laugh, cheer at the upbeat conclusion, and feel every emotion that’s so powerfully expressed.

Brilliant. (author’s note) (Verse fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews