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.
Book Review : The Theory of Hummingbirds
