"No Life Should be a Whisper"

Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd

September Twitter Chat Book on #ppspdspot

Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd is a heartwarming, own-voices story with beautiful writing and countless memorable phrases. For those who listen to audiobooks, you will enjoy the author’s reading which adds another layer to the story that many listeners are enjoying.

The main character, Olive, is a smart, fearless, and lovable twelve-year-old, with a tremendous spirit and a “heart like a lion.” (p. 347) Olive lives with OI, osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, though she doesn’t want that to define her. Homeschooled, Olive convinces her parents to allow her to attend middle school in person. She craves that “one special friend” in her sparkly, theater-loving, bird-obsessed life. But navigating a middle school with OI can be a difficult endeavor, both physically and mentally. The signature phrase in this book: “My bones are fragile. But I am not.”

Added to this delightful story is a beautiful dose of fantasy. A magical hummingbird is expected to appear in the town to grant a wish to one lucky person. Everyone, including people who come from out of town, are hoping to earn that wish. Also, Olive’s new school houses a multi-story library, a book lover’s dream, that is inhabited by a variety of comfort animals available for check-out as well. Last, but certainly not least, the collection of ancillary characters, like Jupiter, Hatch, Grace, Grandpa Goad, Luther Frye, and more, are fun to read, oddly familiar, and a meaningful addition to the story.

Lessons are taught in Hummingbird without being condescending or preachy. The characters are quirky and lovable. This is a book to savor. It’s also a great mentor text for #ownvoices, “because no life should be a whisper.” (p. 24)