HUMMINGBIRD SEASON, by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Feb. 13, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
Hummingbird Season, by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, tells the story of a boy who finds hope during 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. —Synopsis provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books
“When I don’t go to school, I feel invisible.”
I will never forget when my then-6-year-old said this to me and my husband. It was devastating. She was one of the lucky kids who got to return to in-person learning in the fall of 2020. But it forever changed her and our family.
Hummingbird Season brought memories from that time — both hard and heartwarming — rushing back. This novel in verse is an honest look at how the things that tore us apart also brought us together.
Author Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic’s ability to communicate emotions through thoughtfully paced tand expressive text makes you think:
“Parentheses are like whispering.
People can hear you
but also pretend not to hear you.
They are the mute button
of words
unmuted for your eyes.”
Readers will immediately identify with Archie or his brother, Hank — both are forced into online school, separated into different areas of their home while their parents also work from home.
Hummingbird Season is perfectly timed for kids of my daughter’s generation — those who are just turning 9, 10, 11, or 12 and would have lived this themselves.
Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
