Numenia and the Hurricane: Inspired by a True Migration Story

by Fiona Halliday (Author)

Numenia and the Hurricane: Inspired by a True Migration Story
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
When the autumnal equinox arrives, Numenia takes off with her two sisters and thousands of other birds to begin their long migration from the Arctic to the islands of the Caribbean. But there is a dangerous storm brewing on the horizon. When the hurricane hits, fierce winds rip Numenia away from her family.

This small, scrappy whimbrel must make her way through unfamiliar terrain and rough conditions to reunite with her sisters. Battling hunger, loneliness, and raging winds, Numenia finds the strength to endure the elements on her miraculous journey.

Inspired by a remarkable true story of a whimbrel who fought her way through a devastating storm, this book brings a brave little shorebird to life through poetic language and vividly expressive art by a debut author-illustrator.
Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

Kirkus

A dramatic depiction of a remarkable avian accomplishment.

ALA/Booklist

In smooth, rhythmic writing and textured mixed-media illustrations, Halliday imagines the epic journey of a young whimbrel after a hurricane separates her from her migrating flock.

School Library Journal

Gr 2-5--Migratory birds have one of the most challenging jobs on Earth: survive the elements in order to travel from their homes in the far North to those in the South and back again. Numenia is one of three bird sisters born by an arctic shore. They eat and grow until the arrival of autumn triggers their migratory instincts and they set off, under the guidance of wise old goose, for their winter home. However, Numenia is blown off course by a hurricane, and she must endure days of heavy flying with no food to attempt to reunite with her sisters. This book is stunning not only in its elegant language but also in its presentation. Rhyming, poetic text moves readers through the story with the use of specific targeted vocabulary that paints a vivid picture despite its brevity. The cadence is balanced in nearly every line, making this story ideally suited to being read aloud. Ornately detailed illustrations match the text perfectly; each moment of the book is well balanced and engages readers' eyes as well as their ears. Every image is an invitation for readers to investigate the many subtleties found there. The final pages explain the author's impetus for writing this book and include an important call to action for all.VERDICT Readers of a variety of ages will appreciate this educational, beautifully designed homage to the many creatures who are affected by climate change around the world.--Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver Public Library

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

[I]deally suited to being read aloud... Readers of a variety of ages will appreciate this educational, beautifully designed homage to the many creatures who are affected by climate change around the world. - School Library Journal, starred review

"[Numenia and the Hurricane] would make a suspenseful storytime read-aloud... A dramatic depiction of a remarkable avian accomplishment." - Kirkus Reviews

Halliday's vivid depiction of Numenia will capture readers' hearts and minds. [Numenia's] intense journey is a natural tie-in for science units on animals or extreme weather. - Booklist

Fiona Halliday
Fiona Halliday's love of birds spans back to her childhood growing up in Scotland. She works as a graphic designer and is the author-illustrator of Numenia and the Hurricane and illustrator of Hello, Little One (by Zeena M. Pliska), both from Page Street Kids. She lives in Austria, but the stormy Scottish coastline still inspires much of her work.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781624149993
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Page Street Kids
Publication date
January 21, 2020
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV002040 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Birds
JUV057000 - Juvenile Fiction | Stories in Verse (see also Poetry)
JUV029030 - Juvenile Fiction | Nature & the Natural World | Disasters
Library of Congress categories
Birds
Picture books
Stories in rhyme
Survival
Migration
Hurricanes
Whimbrel

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!