Theory of Hummingbirds

Michelle Kadarusman grew up in Melbourne, Australia, and also lived many years throughout her father’s homeland of Indonesia before moving to Toronto in 2000. Her books have earned numerous nominations, including the Governor General’s Literary Awards, the Ontario Library Association Silver Birch Awards, and the Green Earth Book Award. Her novels include The Theory of Hummingbirds, Girl of the Southern Sea, and Music for Tigers. Her first picture book, Room for More, published in 2022. Michelle lives in Toronto, Canada and Byron Bay, Australia.

Praise for The Theory of Hummingbirds2019 OLA Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Award nominee2019 MYRCA Sundogs Award nominee2018 SYRCA Diamond Willow Award shortlist2018 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection"Fascinating hummingbird facts flit throughout this contemporary realistic story and a glossary helps readers know more about the birds....Kadarusman's writing has a light touch, and the story will resonate with a wide audience. VERDICT Readers learn that a group of hummingbirds is called a 'charm' - and are sure to be charmed by this heartfelt tale."—School Library Journal"[Alba's] goals occur in small steps, easing her into the difference between her dream and the reality without diminishing her accomplishments. Alba's relationship with her single mother is touching...Alba's narration is dotted with hummingbird facts, which Kadarusman - who had a club foot herself - explains in a glossary. A quick, sweet read."—Kirkus Reviews"We rated this book: [5/5 stars]...Author Michelle Kadarusman has written a gentle but powerful story of dealing with differences and problems in friendships within a coming-of-age story. The writing is lyrical, the characters believable and well-rounded, and the metaphor of Alba as a hummingbird is heartbreakingly perfect."—Manhattan Book Review"This is a great story about doing what one can and not always comparing oneself with others. I found this a satisfying read which could stimulate some interesting discussion about limitations and friendship."—Resource Links Magazine"Alba's perspective here is delightfully authentic....Indeed, it is [the hummingbird facts] that will keep readers intrigued over and above the more common theme of friendship that binds this story, elevating this novel to a rich and thought-provoking read. A glossary of Alba's Hummingbird Facts appears at the end of the book....In a couple of places, aspects of the story make for excellent critical literacy discussions....Highly Recommended."—CM Magazine"Michelle Kadarusman skilfully uses emotional honesty to capture the turmoil of not fitting in and the hard journey to acceptance in terms children can easily understand....Alba's endearing story is sure to change readers..."—Canadian Children's Book News"The Theory of Hummingbirds is a gentle, hopeful, and wholly innocent portrayal of a sixth-grade girl dealing with being different....Alba uses several coping techniques to deal with her physical challenges. She is deeply invested in hummingbirds and sees them as a metaphor for her own life. 'Hummingbirds don't sit around moaning about their tiny feet and the fact that they can’t walk,' she says. Alba calls her clubfood Cleo, viewing it with compassion and kindness rather than resentment and self-pity. Support comes from her best friend Levi, who spends recess indoors with her because of his serious asthma....In the mode of Jeanne Birdsall and Natalie Lloyd, Kadarusman makes some narrative choices that favour poeticism and poignancy over realism....The negativity is fleeting and the trajectory of Alba's journey is onward and upward."—Quill & Quire"Rating: 5...A glossary of hummingbird facts and an author's note add dimension to the story. This is a sweet, gentle novel about friendship."—Youth Services Book Review"[A] powerful and captivating story about differences and abilities...emotionally honest and filled with heart."—Children's Books Heal"In this book for a middle-grade audience, the reader readily identifies with Alba's efforts."—Winnipeg Free Press"The Theory of Hummingbirds is Michelle Kadarusman's first middle-grade novel and she's made it reader friendly in more than just vocabulary and content. Her characters are both sensitive and gritty, as the need requires, and neither goody-goody nor reprehensible. In other words, they are real children with strengths and challenges. Because she underwent a series of surgical procedures to correct her own congenital talipes equinovarus, Michelle Kadarusman writes from experience. Hence Alba's determination and drive for normalcy is written with authenticity and reads the same."—CanLit for LittleCanadians"Alba and Levi seem like great characters and true friends – brought together by their differences from their classmates...I particularly love the lesson – and the way it's told – about understanding your differences, embracing them and doing what you can to make life as you want it."—BookTime