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Hummingbird
Twelve-year-old March Anne Tanner’s life is tied to the simple rhythms and cycles of the watermelon farm in Jubilee, Georgia, that she has grown up on. Thanks to Grenna, her grandmother and surrogate mother, March Anne has learned everything she needs to know about seeds, vine pruning, and harvesting melons and pumpkins. And although Grenna has tried to teach March Anne about her ancestors, March Anne has always been uncomfortable with the family name she’s been given and doesn’t like. And so, in secret meetings deep in the woods, March Anne and her two best friends form the Pseudonymphs, whose names change with the seasons. When Grenna suffers a heart attack, March Anne must face an uncertain future and confront her past. In the middle of it all, a ruby-throated hummingbird decides to winter at the Tanners’ and becomes a source of delight and inspiration as March Anne prepares for Grenna’s passing and journeys toward self-acceptance.
This sweet and tangy debut introduces a memorable cast of characters who come to learn that grace can abide within and beyond the realities of pain and loss.
This sweet and tangy debut introduces a memorable cast of characters who come to learn that grace can abide within and beyond the realities of pain and loss.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published May 27, 2008
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103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 4, 2012
Reviewed by Harmony for TeensReadToo.com
March Anne Tanner has grown up on a watermelon farm in Jubilee, Georgia, raised by her grandma, Grenna, and her father. She doesn't know too much about her ancestors, or rocks, or what to do when Grenna suffers from a heart attack.
The only thing she knows is watermelons. But she soon learns that not everything is expected and sometimes, those things you don't think matter, matter most.
Though you may think so from the summary and title, HUMMINGBIRD is not all about watermelons or even hummingbirds. It's about life, love, loss, and friendship. It's about learning about other people to recognize who you really are.
It's a novel that I absolutely loved with one exception - it drags in the middle. Despite that, though, I definitely recommend it.
March Anne Tanner has grown up on a watermelon farm in Jubilee, Georgia, raised by her grandma, Grenna, and her father. She doesn't know too much about her ancestors, or rocks, or what to do when Grenna suffers from a heart attack.
The only thing she knows is watermelons. But she soon learns that not everything is expected and sometimes, those things you don't think matter, matter most.
Though you may think so from the summary and title, HUMMINGBIRD is not all about watermelons or even hummingbirds. It's about life, love, loss, and friendship. It's about learning about other people to recognize who you really are.
It's a novel that I absolutely loved with one exception - it drags in the middle. Despite that, though, I definitely recommend it.
August 14, 2009
There is something to be said for reading a a book in one sitting. I think that books have more power and flow better that way. Too bad most of us can't spare the time to have this luxary very often. Since it was my last day before school starts, I afforded myself this pleasure. I was rewarded immensely. This is a sweet touching book. I read it on our deck watching our own hummingbird drink from our feeder. The book is about coming to terms with your family name, having friends, a first love, and learning to accept death. I cried at the end, so be ware.
Stop here is you don't want spoilers.
March Ann Tanner is twelve and her grandma is dying. Her mother already died. Her family raises watermelons and pumpkins on a farm. In science she is paired up with a boy who has 'chocolate brown eyes.' They choose a project that will kill the beetles from eating the pumpkins without hurting the bees. The family struggles when grandma can't cook or help anymore, and March ruins many meals trying to help. She sews a nightgown for her grandma so that it is nice and warm for Christmas. A colorful hummingibrd stays for the winter, and we discover that grandpa used to call grandma hummingbird. March meets with friends in the woods for each new season and the choose a new name to be called by secretly. At the end of the book March finds some old railroad tracks and after her grandma dies she has to go dig them up to find out where they go. She follows them and discovers her grandma's dream home, "Where you make big dreams looking out of a small house through the windows." Touching. We all should be allowed to read with no phone calls or interruptions more often.
Stop here is you don't want spoilers.
March Ann Tanner is twelve and her grandma is dying. Her mother already died. Her family raises watermelons and pumpkins on a farm. In science she is paired up with a boy who has 'chocolate brown eyes.' They choose a project that will kill the beetles from eating the pumpkins without hurting the bees. The family struggles when grandma can't cook or help anymore, and March ruins many meals trying to help. She sews a nightgown for her grandma so that it is nice and warm for Christmas. A colorful hummingibrd stays for the winter, and we discover that grandpa used to call grandma hummingbird. March meets with friends in the woods for each new season and the choose a new name to be called by secretly. At the end of the book March finds some old railroad tracks and after her grandma dies she has to go dig them up to find out where they go. She follows them and discovers her grandma's dream home, "Where you make big dreams looking out of a small house through the windows." Touching. We all should be allowed to read with no phone calls or interruptions more often.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2010
It is easy to forget that, in our age of adolescent disaffection where teens are cocooned in hypnotic video and plugged-in audio, it is still possible to have a childhood that shelters close to the earth. Twelve-year-old March Anne Tanner is growing up on a watermelon farm in Georgia. Her summer days are steeped in the purr of crickets and katydids, the rustle of owl feathers, the flashes of bright light in a hummingbird’s wings and the earth smells of planting and reaping. The color that dominates her summer days is watermelon green in all shades and tints. Watermelons are the fruit of the family’s labor and the business of the farm. Its seasons shape her days and the seeds and fruit provide metaphor and story which deepen the culture of her family life. A farm-raised life is whole in the most essential sense of the word, but March Anne feels a loss that is both named and un-named. Her mother died when she was very young and she has never been able to give her grief proper expression. When her grandmother, who has been a mother to March Anne and her brother, has a heart attack, March Anne finds that grieving her grandmother’s passing holds an unexpected gift. This subtle story of loss and redemption is lyrically told. March Anne’s voice is evocative of a young girl moving tentatively out of childhood, strengthened by the loving wisdom of the older woman whose memory continues to guide and encourage her after she is gone. The power of such an inheritance cannot be over-stated and is all too rare. This novel celebrates such gifts in a story that is ultimately hopeful and affirming.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2012
This was such a sweet book. I wasn't expecting this YA fiction to elicit tears, but they came. And then they came some more with a post climactic addition that was a second little peak of the ending storyline.
This book is about a girl who lives on a watermelon farm. At 12 years old with a pesky 9 yr old brother, she is cared for by her Grenna, as her momma died when she was young. Her grandpap died a couple of years earlier, and then yet another close loved one becomes ill. A good book for working through grief, which is exactly what March Anne Tanner learns how to do.
Also a rich book about the hard work of farm life, yet that rich beauty and splendor of living such a life, and all the ins and outs of quiet country life mixed in with a little suburban as well (some of her friends live in tract homes).
I just love the richness of their lives and the stories and wisdom from Grenna, though her constant saying of "Don't take XYZ for granite" cracks me up. (Instead of not taking XYZ for GRANTED)
My favorite advice from the book, given by Grenna, of course, when encouraging March Anne to "choose life": "Choose life. It doesn't mean bad things won't happen, it just means there's enough good mixed up with the bad to make life worth living."
My second favorite line, which still brings tears to my eyes: "And I realized that friends could fill up some of the spaces that goodbye* leaves.
If they are good friends, like mine are.
If you let them."
*"goodbye" was italicized
This book is about a girl who lives on a watermelon farm. At 12 years old with a pesky 9 yr old brother, she is cared for by her Grenna, as her momma died when she was young. Her grandpap died a couple of years earlier, and then yet another close loved one becomes ill. A good book for working through grief, which is exactly what March Anne Tanner learns how to do.
Also a rich book about the hard work of farm life, yet that rich beauty and splendor of living such a life, and all the ins and outs of quiet country life mixed in with a little suburban as well (some of her friends live in tract homes).
I just love the richness of their lives and the stories and wisdom from Grenna, though her constant saying of "Don't take XYZ for granite" cracks me up. (Instead of not taking XYZ for GRANTED)
My favorite advice from the book, given by Grenna, of course, when encouraging March Anne to "choose life": "Choose life. It doesn't mean bad things won't happen, it just means there's enough good mixed up with the bad to make life worth living."
My second favorite line, which still brings tears to my eyes: "And I realized that friends could fill up some of the spaces that goodbye* leaves.
If they are good friends, like mine are.
If you let them."
*"goodbye" was italicized
August 2, 2008
Hummingbird is a beautfilly written, bittersweet coming of age story set in the South. The introduction alone is some of the best writing I've read in years.
March Anne lives on a watermelon farm with her grandma, dad, and brother. March Anne and her girlfriends have a secret club, change their names, and try to deal with pesky 7th grade boys. March Anne has a very special relationship with her grandmother, who's aging, and has to come to terms with her mother's death - something she's been ignoring for years. Set in modern times, the book has the feel of old-fashioned stories because the setting is so rural and I think because of the sweetness of the storytelling.
March Anne lives on a watermelon farm with her grandma, dad, and brother. March Anne and her girlfriends have a secret club, change their names, and try to deal with pesky 7th grade boys. March Anne has a very special relationship with her grandmother, who's aging, and has to come to terms with her mother's death - something she's been ignoring for years. Set in modern times, the book has the feel of old-fashioned stories because the setting is so rural and I think because of the sweetness of the storytelling.
November 17, 2010
This touching-but-never-maudlin tale of a young girl's arrival at coping is phenomenal, and really, astonishing, considering it is a first book. Though the main theme IS how the pre-adolescent copes with loss, it is a cheerful, encouraging, uplifting book, with other themes as well: friendship, family ties, honoring our elders, understanding shortcomings, just to name a few. I hope this author continues to write; I put this one up there with THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE, TO COME AND GO LIKE MAGIC, and COUNTDOWN. Tween angst is dealt with in this one, but like the others I mention, NOT in a pessimistic way. A great read!
February 27, 2009
Catalog summary: "In spite of a busy life on the family pumpkin and watermelon farm in Jubilee, Georgia, twelve-year-old March Anne Tanner feels that something is missing, and when Grenna, the grandmother who has helped raise her since her mother died when she was three, also passes on, March Anne finds that she must act on her feelings of loss."
This is a very touching and beautifully written book. The main character is 12 and so some older students may not choose the book, but it does give great examples of how to write well!
This is a very touching and beautifully written book. The main character is 12 and so some older students may not choose the book, but it does give great examples of how to write well!
June 1, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. It's the story of March Anne in quiet Jubilee Georgia. She lives on a watermelon farm with her father, brother and grandmother. She has two best friends and they form the Pseudonymphs. There's a "weird" boy nearby too. Everything seems to be normal and ordinary. Then Grenna, the grandmother, has a heart attack, and suddenly nothing is the same.
January 14, 2011
I read Hummingbird as part of the Georgia Children's Book Award program and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were refreshing and the storyline was intriguing. I loved the southern touches and how the main character copes with the grief she experiences in her young life. I would definitely be interested in reading the next book from Kimberly Greene Angle.
December 23, 2008
Her story was really touching. I easily related to some of the challenges she faces and I think others will too. The setting of Georgia was described well and very fitting. This was one of the best books I have ever read.
February 12, 2012
Chapter 9: “… how could I be named March when I was born in August? It just didn’t seem right to be born in one month and named for another… Now Augusta was a name I liked. It had some romance– some ummph, some mystery to it.” (70).
October 17, 2014
This was a quick sweet read. It has its sad moments but I think the message is something all kids should learn.
To read my full review, click here.
To read my full review, click here.
September 3, 2008
It has its "aw shucks" moments. But overall it's well written and March Anne's voice rings true and clear. Funny and sad by turns, there's a lot going on here--and it works.
September 4, 2008
Really a very touching book.
January 14, 2009
What a sweet book. It reminded me of "Ida B." in a lot of ways. It was just cozy and exactly what I needed.
June 19, 2009
this book is SUPER good. If you need a good book, this one is amazing! When I started reading it, i could not put it down!
October 11, 2009
This was a good book a book i could c a teacher finding and having his/her class reading. well maube its been a while since i read it. not really but it was a good book over all
March 20, 2010
A cute/thoughtful story about a 12 year old girl and her world.
February 12, 2011
Eloquently written story about the importance of living and accepting change.
Reading this was like entering someone's vivid dreams.
Reading this was like entering someone's vivid dreams.
January 30, 2011
Touching book about friends, family and....hummingbirds.
March 9, 2015
Great book for kids and adults
I read this book with my grandson he had to read it for school. I loved this book, probably even more than he did!
I read this book with my grandson he had to read it for school. I loved this book, probably even more than he did!
July 27, 2010
I really enjoyed this book! :)
January 26, 2011
it was way good. i loves this book!!!
March 1, 2023
I was hesitant to read Hummingbird, knowing (no spoiler--it's right there in the book description) a main character was going to die--but I'm glad I did. This is a wonderful book. The characters are real and believable and March Anne is not (thank goodness) one of those weird caricatures of what a grown person thinks a 12 year old acts and talks like. The author gives us some lovely descriptive moments. Sample: "Without the dignity of cold, even the bare trees looked awkward and forlorn against the milky sky." I can see that. My one regret is that this appears to be the author's only book (so far). I was hoping to enjoy more stories by her.
July 1, 2018
Was browsing the juvenile shelves at the library while my son raided the children's section and picked this out on a whim. Would have been something I read in middle school and still very good to read as an adult. A great palate cleanser---nothing terribly heavy, just a good story.
September 10, 2025
Beautiful coming-of-age book about friendship, family, loss and finding one’s self. I had a hard time putting this book down and would especially recommend it to any young person experiencing loss and grief.
January 8, 2018
This is a cute story, good for 4th and 5th graders.
August 22, 2021
Beautiful, lush descriptions and lovely time spent seeping in the slow steady emotions of childhood to adolescence. A little slow to start but very much worth the read.
August 18, 2009
Gr 4-7-Twelve-year-old March Anne expects this summer to be like all others-spending time with her girlfriends, helping on the family's Georgia watermelon farm, and learning from her grandma, who has been raising March Anne and her brother since their mother died nine years ago. But in July, the girl's world is turned upside down when Grenna suffers a heart attack and is bedridden. March Anne valiantly tries to cook the dinners, but her misadventures only serve to highlight the void that her grandmother's absence will leave. Things gradually settle down, and March Anne regales Grenna with stories about school, especially the antics of three previously irritating boys. When Grenna insists that a hummingbird has stayed for the winter, March Anne assumes her grandmother is "wonky," but the creature soon makes itself known, remaining nearby until the February day when Grenna passes on. Afterward, March Anne must come to terms with her grief not only for her grandmother, but also for her mother. Her friends are there to help, and her family draws closer as her father opens up about his repressed heartache over his wife. While the vocabulary is poetic, the Southern idioms and cliches are exaggerated, and March Anne's first-person narration never entirely engages readers. The tone is somewhat saccharine and preachy, and the themes are presented with a heavy hand. An additional novel about friendship and loss.--Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
December 1, 2009
I really enjoyed this book, but I question whether or not children will like it. I know the protagonist is 12, but I can't help feeling the audience is actually adult. I'm not sure young readers will understand March Anne's longings and musings. Much of the book is esoteric or ephemeral and may require an adult perspective. Maybe I'm not giving middle grade readers enough credit, so I welcome comments from others.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews