From #1 New York Times bestseller Katherine Applegate,a singular middle-grade novel about a girl who risks everything to help a handmade creature who comes to life. The earth is old and we are notand that is all you must remember . . . Eleven-year-old Willodeen adores creatures of all kindsbut her favorites are the most unlovable beasts in the land: strange beasts known as ΓÇ£screechers.ΓÇ¥ The villagers of Perchance call them pestseven monstersbut Willodeen believes the animals serve a vital role in the complicated web of nature. Latelythoughnature has seemed angry indeed. Perchance has been cursed with fires and mudslidesdroughts and feversand even the annual migration of hummingbearsa source of local pride and incomehas dwindled. For as long as anyone can rememberthe tiny animals have overwintered in shimmering bubble nests perched atop blue willow treesdrawing tourists from far and wide. This yearhowevernot a single hummingbear has returned to Perchanceand no one knows why. When a handmade birthday gift brings unexpected magic to Willodeen and her new friendConnorsheΓÇÖs determined to speak up for the animals she lovesand perhaps even uncover the answer to the mystery of the missing hummingbears. A timely and timeless tale about our fragile earthand one girlΓÇÖs fierce determination to make a difference.