The Theory of Hummingbirds

by Michelle Kadarusman

A moving novel for middle-grade readers that is not about overcoming disability, but rather becoming one’s truest self “Hummingbirds and angels don’t need two good feet. They have wings.” That’s what Alba’s mother always says. Of course, Alba doesn’t have wings or two good she has Cleo. Cleo is the name Alba has given to her left foot, which was born twisted in the wrong direction. When she points this out, though, her mother just smiles like the world has some surprise in store she doesn’t know about yet. Well, Alba has her own surprise planned. After many surgeries and one final cast, Cleo is almost ready to meet the world straight on―just in time to run in the school cross-country race. Unfortunately, Alba’s best friend Levi thinks there’s no way she can pull it off. And she thinks there’s no way he’s right about the school librarian hiding a wormhole in her office. Tempers flare. Sharp words fly faster than hummingbirds. And soon it looks like both friends will be stuck proving their theories on their own. The Theory of Hummingbirds is now available in a paperback edition with French flaps and a brand-new cover!

Genres: Middle Grade, Canada, Disability, Fiction, Friendship, School, Juvenile

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 16, 2017

About the author

Michelle Kadarusman is originally from Australia and Indonesia and often shares her cultural background in her work. She is twice-nominated for a Governor General’s Literary Award and her work has been translated into Spanish, German, Japanese and Turkish. Her middle-grade novels have earned many nominations and honors, including the Freeman Book Awards, Green Earth Books Awards, USBBY Outstanding International Books and Malka Penn Award for Human Rights in Children's Literature. She lives in Australia and Canada.

Reviews

[Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This might be the most difficult review I’ve ever had to write. This book just hit me in ways that are complex and personal and I’m not sure how well that’s going to translate into a review.

I requested The Theory of Hummingbirds for a number of reasons. Firstly, I love a good middle-grade and while I usually just stick to fantasy, I enjoy branching out into contemporary every now and again. Secondly, I love supporting books with disability, especially from #ownvoices authors. But above all else, because that disability is a clubfoot. I’ve seen maybe two books with clubfoot representation before, but nothing contemporary. This is so important to me because I was born with a clubfoot and I never got to see myself in books or films as a kid.

Alba is about to have her final cast off after having surgery on her left foot when she decides she wants to run in her school race. This was really one of the toughest aspects for me, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. So much of this felt like it was taken from my own childhood—I was always the timekeeper, just like Alba. I too noticed at a young age that I ran differently to the other kids and became obsessed with my limp, scars and the way my right leg was much skinnier than my left. I also had dreams of competing in a race, though it was hurdles for me. Even down to some of the words Alba says to her mother and the other people around her—I could hear myself saying them as a kid. I can’t express how that feels. I can just say that it made me cry.

I wish this book had existed when I was about 6 or 7 and was going through surgery. I had a different experience in terms of treatment than Alba, and this made me grieve for all that my family and I went through. It’s been quite a while since I underwent any surgery, but I hope the kids out there with clubfeet have a much closer experience to Alba. I hope this book finds its way into their hands and that they feel seen and represented the same way it’s made me feel at 24.

And I hope it finds its way into the hands of non-disabled children and adults too just so they can get a glimpse into what life can be like, and how just because someone might look or walk differently to you, it doesn’t mean they can’t do all that you can.

Thank you AusYABloggers and UQP for organising this blog tour and for allowing me to participate.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! A quick read by the same author as Music for Tigers--a feel good story!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

"Happiness, like hummingbirds, can land in your heart."

I am giving this book as a gift to an eager middle grade reader, but I decided to read it myself before passing it along. I'm so glad I did. Michelle Kadarusman draws on personal experience to craft well a story about learning to see past the surfaces of people and situations to go deeper and achieve understanding and empathy. The resolution of some of those surface misperceptions have gently comic results. Others lead to more profound realizations about what each person contends with, and help characters to forge closer bonds with friends, family and community. These messages and the intertwined insights into hummingbirds - beautiful, resilient, fiesty, all in a tiny, exquisite package - are all conveyed with a light but resonant touch.

[Lexi // libraryoflexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Theory of Hummingbirds is an adorable and inspirational little story about strength and self acceptance, absolutely perfect for younger (and older) readers. It made my heart flutter and I absolutely loved how easily Hummingbirds were woven into this story. It added this gorgeous dynamic that sent me on a YouTube watching spree of Hummingbird videos afterwards!
Our MC, Alba, was born with a twisted foot - named Cleo - and follows her physical and mental struggles as she faces day to day life with a cast on her leg, the wait to remove it, wormholes, and the chance to be ‘normal’ with her best friend Levi at her side.
It was so perfectly written to be coming from the mind of a young child. It is exactly how I would have been thinking when I was younger. Such a perfect little book of resilience, friendship and overcoming challenges that life throws at you.
My heart is so full after finishing this book. Such a lovely read.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drawing from her own personal experience, the author has written a touching story of self-acceptance. Though a target audience of middle grade readers, this beautiful tale of courage can be enjoyed by readers young and old alike. Wonderful characters you come to care for and a lovely story-line that blends real life with a touch of sci-fi, overall it was an enjoyable and eye-opening story. With special thanks to Aus YA Bloggers + UQP Books for having me on board for the blog tour. I am looking forward to hosting a live stream interview with the author on Sunday 7 June 2020 via Instagram at 8AM Sydney Australia local time - Saturday 6 June 2020, 6pm Toronto, Canada time - tune into the Read3r'z Re-Vu Instagram platform if you'd like to check it out: read3rz_revu

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute juvenile fiction story about fitting in and friendship. “Love who you are and love what you can do.”

[Almira · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I am a lover of hummingbirds, and feed Anna's hummingbirds year round on Camano Island, WA., I was immediately drawn to this "small" children's book. But even with that love of hummers, there were things that I learned from this lovely book.

Alba "suffers" from talipes equinovarus - commonly known as a club foot. Levi, her best friend, suffers from asthma. The two bonded due to the fact that they both are unable to fully participate in most outdoor types of activities - running, sports, etc.
Alba, who calls her foot/leg Cleo, is the timekeeper for the cross country team at her school. Her dream is to run a race.

Levi and Alba also have a running knowledge of hummingbirds - boy did I learn a lot from this very small book. Did you know that hummingbirds cannot walk????? Did you know they hear better than humans????? Did you know they have zero sense of smell???? These are just 3 things I learned about hummers from this lovely book.

Levi is convinced that the librarian, Ms. Sharma, is travelling through a "wormhole" during her lunch breaks at school, he is determined to find the source of this wormhole, even when Alba is set against it.

Alba is convinced that when her cast comes off, she is going to be in the next cross country race, but will her doctor give his "blessing" ? Will her mom? Will the coach?

The author drew from her own experience, regarding surgeries she endured as a child suffering from talipes equinovarus.

Doesn't matter if you are an adult, this is a lovely tale of courage and perseverance. Hope you will give it a try.

[Zac · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Theory of Hummingbirds is an uplifting story of a girl who just wants to be normal. Alba is born with a club foot, which she calls Cleo. She has had surgeries to correct Cleo and has had a cast for most of her life. At the start of the story the day that she gets her cast removed permanently is within sight and Alba really wants to be able to run in the school cross country. Her friend Levi is obsessed with space and he comes up with a theory that there is a wormhole in the school librarian’s office. She disappears from a locked room and Levi believes this is the explanation. Alba and Levi have been best friends forever but an argument pushes them apart. At a time when Alba needs her friend the most Levi won’t talk to her. When the day of the cross country arrives Alba is determined to prove that she can complete the course.

I loved Alba’s story. She wants to be ‘normal’ and she’s determined to prove that she can walk properly without crutches. I love her friendship with Levi and their shared love of hummingbirds. I also really love the school librarian character of Ms Sharma. This would make a great read aloud for Years 5-8, especially as it’s a short, engaging read. It’s perfect as a Wonder read-alike too.

[Shanae Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and quick feel-good-story. Despite it clearly being a younger children's book, the title and cover (particularly the one I own, not so much the displayed one) were way too beautiful to pass up. All in all, a very lovely, sweet glimpse into the thoughts and imagination of young children. Had I read this at a much younger age, it probably would've had more of a lasting impact, however it was an absolutely adorable read either way!

"The Theory of Hummingbirds... is to just be who you are and do the best you can." - Alba

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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 possibly 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.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful prose. Lovely themes and characters.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Born with a left foot that points inward, sixth grader Alba has already had surgeries to correct the condition and is doing physical therapy in order to strengthen the limb she calls Cleo. Her heart's desire is to be able to run in the school cross-country race. Her best friend Levi has his own issues with his asthma and his obsession with wormholes. He is convinced that the librarian, Ms. Sharma is disappearing into a wormhole every day since she seems to appear and disappear at will in her office. The youngsters have a falling out over Levi's focus on the wormhole and how he dismisses Alba's dreams of running. Fourth and fifth graders will enjoy the story of resilience and perseverance as well as some of the drama that occurs in the book. The story of the hummingbird that provides inspiration for Alba is one with which some may be familiar, but if they aren't, it will be a gentle reminder to do what we can to make the world a better place. I loved how Alba and her mother have taken in several senior pets and how she interacts with the elderly at her mother's job. As another reviewer noted, Alba and Levi seem a bit on the young side for sixth graders, though. Nevertheless, the story itself cuts right to the heart of what bothers many youngsters--fitting in and being seen as normal. Alba is fortunate to be surrounded by so many supportive individuals. Readers will come to understand the strong connection she has with hummingbirds as they read the book. Having some additional hummingbird facts included in the back matter adds to the book's appeal. This might be a good title for sharing aloud.

[Susan Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alba is a fourth-grade girl who has struggled to fit in at school because she was born with a club foot (CTEV). Since she was born, she has endured treatments and surgeries and is recovering from recent surgery at the time of the story. She is friends with Levi who is also unable to participate in sport because he suffers from asthma. Levi spends a lot of time in the library and is particularly interested in science. Together Alba and Levi have developed a love of hummingbirds.

Alba generally acts as time-keeper for the school races. As she watches the practice for the cross-country race, she feels a desperate desire to be in the race, rather than watching it. The real race is several weeks away and two weeks after Alba’s current cast is due to come off. Meanwhile, Levi is concerned that the librarian seems to ‘disappear’ from her office every lunchtime and creates the theory that there is a wormhole, a tunnel to another time and space, in the librarian’s office.

Alba’s obsession with the cross-country race and Levi’s with a wormhole in the library keeps them apart for much of the story. Their love of hummingbirds brings them together again.

Most children long to feel normal and often have differences which make self-acceptance difficult. This is an encouraging story of hope, perseverance and the value of friendship. Michelle Kadarusman has written a great story. It is well-written and moves at a good pace.

Overall, an enjoyable read.

Thanks to Christian School Supplier for providing a free book for review.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, what a sweet, wholesome story! Alba and Levi have been friends since the second grade, sharing facts about hummingbirds while stacking books in the library instead of attending gym class due to his asthma and her “directionally challenged” clubfoot, talipes equinovarus, but she prefers to call it Cleo. Now in sixth grade, the library is still Levi’s favorite place to study physics and Alba has a new goal as she is nearing the end of her long treatments to correct Cleo. What follows is pure, relatable, adolescent experiences about feeling different and the journey to acceptance—not only from friends, but embracing your uniqueness and loving yourself as well. Levi takes pride in his search for knowledge even though Alba may not agree with his theories. Alba is determined to run and you’ll admire her perseverance even as Levi questions it. It is a tender story of friendship and forgiveness, overcoming challenges, and learning from reflection with such a beautiful message that we all need to be reminded of from time to time. Lastly in this lovely read, the author provides a glossary of fascinating hummingbird facts and shares a bit about her personal experience with congenital talipes equinovarus, hoping that all will honor the diversity of one another.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a cute story but it is exactly the reason why I never read books like this and dove into YA and adult fiction as soon I was able.

Don't get me wrong, these books are amazing and perfect for the intended audience. There were elements of encouragement, friendships, family problems but most important of all, there was hope. Little Alba had hope that she would accomplish her goal.

I will say, there was a little bit in the story where it made me cringe. Hard. If you've read the book, you'll know what I'm talking about here but it is extremely unethical to psychologically analyse someone without permission ESPECIALLY if you're not a certified and qualified psychologist, therapist or psychiatrist. Just because your mother may be a therapist, that doesn't make YOU one, nor give you the right or permission to psychologically analyse anyone and furthermore- APPROACH THEM.

Anyway, that was my little rant- but all in all, this story is great for the intended audience and I think the story contained a good message of not giving up and pursuing your dreams as well as you are the one who can make the dream come true. You and YOU ONLY.

[Jessica G · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

The Theory of Hummingbirds OOZES adorableness. It is in fact, something that is inescapable!
Our protagonist, Alba, and her best friend Levi have most definitely stolen a piece of my heart.
I think there is something to say for middle-grade novels and the power they hold over us to warm our (maybe this is just me, but) cold, weathered hearts (okay, that was a tad dramatic, even for me!).
The naivety and silliness of what Alba and Levi get up to had me chuckling along in their fun little escapades. I was there the whole time rooting for a wormhole to pop up in the library, even though I will tell you that anything spacey is straight up, not my thang. These guys had me rooting for a WORMHOLE, y’all. Unusual times, what can I say? ;)

Also, I have to mention that this book focuses most importantly on self-love and what it means to be accepting of one another and our differences. I’m so glad to see the sorts of books like ‘Wonder’, ‘Stargirl’, and now this book representing middle-grade fiction. I am extremely proud!
If you’ve got a younger child, a niece, a nephew, or if you’re just in a middle-grade mood, I recommend picking this cutie up!

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Patricia Tilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a believable story about Ada, who has a leg that is directionally challenged. It is a powerful and captivating story about differences and abilities and “learning to love who you are and what you can do.” It is important for readers to see themselves in realistic, determined and resilient characters like Ada. She is believable and won’t let anyone put limitations on her. I love how she names her club foot “Cleo,” out of kindness. Her best friend Levi spends recess indoors with her because of his asthma. His obsession with time travel and wormholes provides a lot of comic relief.

The author’s use of hummingbirds as a poignant metaphor to help Alba embrace her life in a meaningful way and pursue her big dream. The plot is paced well with the perfect amount of tension to keep readers engaged. This is an excellent book for any school library. Like Ada, the author was born with talipes equinovarus (CTEV), more commonly called club foot.

[Natasha (jouljet) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"'Normal? Who wants to be normal?' said Sadie. 'Normal is so ordinary.' Sadie smiled. 'You can't be extraordinary, if you're ordinary,' she said with a trickle of laughter."

This is a sweet and uplifting story of Alba, who has a left club foot undergoing recovery and rehabilitation from another surgery. She calls her foot Cleo, and Alba becomes determined that she will run the school race once her cast is off. Alba wants to be "normal".

Alba's best friend is Levi, and both of them are obsessed with facts about hummingbirds. They are also both kids who spend lunchtimes in the library, and so are working through their perceived differences from the rest of the kids in the yard. They also start exploring the idea of a wormhole in the library office...

I loved the diversity of the characters, the visits to the aged care home. I loved the positivity messages from Sadie, and then Alba's own Theory of Hummingbirds.

An #OwnVoices Middle Grade book about self acceptance, goals and embracing challenges, and the importance of friendships.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Sarah Pickles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about best friends, hummingbirds and wormholes makes for a great story. Alba can't wait for the day her cast comes off and her club foot is fixed and she can fulfil her dream of running in the cross country race. Meanwhile her best friend Levi is trying to prove that the school librarian is being transported through a wormhole in her office. Together the best friends go through challenges but ultimately their bond and their love of hummingbirds will save their friendship. Above all I love the message of this story, "Love who you are and LOVE what you can do."

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alba wants to run, not be the timekeeper. This desire pushes her through the last stages of her recovery from a surgery to repair her club foot. Meanwhile her best friend Levi thinks he is on the brink of a scientific discovery. The two friends seem to be slightly out of sync with each other - can they sort that out?

Michelle Kadarusman draws on her own childhood experience with a club foot in The Theory of Hummingbirds, as well as shares factual information regarding hummingbirds, making the novel a bundle of interesting fiction and non-fiction.

Short-listed for the 2019 MYRCA Sundogs.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alba is a strong and interesting character, determined to reach her dream of running in the cross country race, in spite of the doubts of her parents and her best friend. All the characters have definite personalities with strengths and weaknesses. Interactions between them seem realistic, including the interactions between Alba and her mom. And I love the best friend relationship Alba has with Levi, and how they stay friends even after their fight. I really loved all the facts about hummingbirds in this story, and I also liked the secretive librarian and the new friend that Alba met from school.

This is a quick read and definitely worth it!

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Sharma tends to disappear every day at lunch in her Library office. Is she entering a wormhole to another dimension?

This is a sweet coming-of-age story. Alba has talipes equinovarus, a foot disability which requires numerous surgeries and for her to spend much of her life walking in a case or on crutches, resulting in one leg being smaller than the other. The book provides a realistic look at what it's like to be different in school (nobody bullied me, everybody was super polite, I just wasn't invited to sleepovers).

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I read a middle grade book (since I was actually in middle school I'd say!) but I loved this book nonetheless. It had sweet little messages about friendship and family, and believing in yourself, and was a really nice light read. It was also told very well, with believable characters and great dialogue, and it hinted at a bunch of important adult themes, like divorced/widowed parents finding love again. I really appreciated this book and I think I would have liked it as a kid too!

[Neva Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author says that this is for middle school kids. Having personally worked in k-12 schools, I would put the age at 3rd to 5th grade. Kids mature much too rapidly these days with all the negative influences. This book is an absolute delight. Not only do you learn about hummingbirds, you learn about friendships, overcoming adversity, and the ultimate desire "to be normal". I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone.

[PB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admire how this author evokes the dark side of childhood - the insecurities, the meannesses, the unrealistic fantasies - while matching it with a way through and forward. She is never saccharine in her lessons; they feel real and achievable: apologising, the importance of friendship and love, self-acceptance, non-judgement. The best children's books authors achieve this mirror of our real selves. They don't patronise children. They tell it the way it is...

[Nadine Poulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in preparation for The Silver Birch Express Awards and I absolutely loved it. It was a beautiful read and touched on a lot of "issues" that kids in middle grade are feeling. As the author said in her end notes "... I suspect we all have something that makes us feel different; something that we might struggle with to gain self-acceptance". What a great book to spread this message to kids.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy single day read, with enough complexity to stick with me. A girl with a disability, on a quest to be normal. A librarian who may or may not travel the space-time continuum and a boy who is obsessed with science fiction. And, the story of the little hummingbird, doing what she can weaving the whole thing together.

Normally I’m not a big fan of middle school drama novels, but this one was perfectly sweet but satisfying.