Surface, Hummingbird

Annabelle struggles to finish seventh grade. No matter how hard she tries, school remains an endless battle that seems impossible to win. Compared to her friends, the girl feels dumb and insecure, but as soon as she dives into the water, nothing can stop her. Swimming is both an inspiration and a natural element for Annabelle. A breath, a stroke, a kick—and all doubts and complexes seem to dissolve in the water. In the pool, she becomes strong and incredibly fast, like a hummingbird—easily focused and breaking all records.
The high school swimming coach notices Annabelle and invites her to join his team. She gains new adult friends, and the most handsome boy in the pool starts looking at her as if she is special to him. Annabelle not only tries to help the team qualify for important competitions; she also wants to fit into the world of high schoolers, which lures her with freedom and love. At the same time, the girl pushes away her old friends, does not listen to her parents, and repeatedly makes mistakes that do not go unnoticed. Annabelle starts to drown in uncertainty: old connections are severed, and new ones do not withstand the test of strength. Will she be able to surface from the chaos her life has become?
Lori Morrison taught English at a middle school for ten years and now writes novels for her students. Some of her books, including «Surface, Hummingbird», have been selected as the best summer reading by Publishers Weekly. In this story, readers will resonate with Annabelle's doubts and fears that many have experienced—losing old friends and new acquaintances, first love, and family troubles. But the truth that is revealed to the girl is one that everyone will learn: you can make mistakes, learn from them, and move on.