Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic

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. "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, in a starred review "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. The poetic form is a wise authorial choice, with short sentences and smaller sections giving readers who have lived through COVID some space to process their own feelings without overwrought prose. 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. " —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "This book would make for a great lead-in to classroom discussions or writing prompts, giving kids the opportunity to share their own memories of lockdown. VERDICT This beautifully written novel in verse offers a sensitive reflection on the pandemic and its emotional toll, even for those families who were able to stay healthy and ­financially stable during lockdown." —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 [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 "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 "Hopeful and full of joy, Hummingbird Season is a celebration of all that is beautiful in the world." —Jane Kuo, author of In the Beautiful Country "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 Song For a Whale "Like a strand of spiderweb in a hummingbird nest,  this novel is strong, beautiful, and more than a little bit magical. A necessary read for everyone who’s endured our strange times: sad and funny, tender and hopeful. It’s an instant classic." —Martha Brockenbrough, acclaimed author and VCFA faculty member