A Hummingbird on My Balcony

K-Gr 4–Groc—conservationist, photographer, writer—chronicles the true story of a tiny Anna’s hummingbird, who creates a nest on the balcony of the home Noah has just moved to with his family on the 22nd floor of an apartment building. The winning photographs invite closer inspection; the bird, weighing about four grams, uses spider silk and her body weight to craft a nest amid the white holiday lights that had been wrapped around balcony rails. The scale? A tiny holiday light bulb helps make that clear. Noah, who has tan skin and black hair, keeps his distance, watching the birds from the other side of the sliding door. One egg appears, and then a second; 17 days later, they hatch. The layout uses crisp full-color photographs featuring Noah’s story, but also accompany rivers of facts about hummingbirds that alternate with that tale. Readers can follow the boy’s story or dive into the details of this small, resilient species. While the nonfiction side of this brings veracity, it’s very much a story of a tender child watching new life unfold, staying out of its way, and showing patience. A couple of years after Vita, the original Anna’s hummingbird, leaves, another returns to the balcony to start the process over. With big hopes, tiny birds, and the blessing of scrutiny, this is perfect for story hours, but encourage children in the lower elementary grades to have a private viewing.