Short Synopsis
Joshua Gaylord, himself a teacher at a private Manhattan high school, tells of the intertwining—and darkly surprising—relationships between the teachers and students at an all-girls prep school in this wonderfully compelling novel.

Full Synopsis
A wonderfully compelling novel about the intertwining—and darkly surprising—relationships between the teachers and students at an all-girl prep school, Hummingbirds marks the debut of author Joshua Gaylord, a prep school teacher himself on New York City's Upper East Side. Spanning a year at the Carmine-Casey School for Girls, this intimate private school community becomes tempestuous and dangerously incestuous as the rivalries and secrets of teachers and students interact, intersect, and eventually collide. Ultimately, Hummingbirds poses a fascinating question: who are the adults and who are the children?

"A sly, charming novel about the students at a Manhattan girls' school and the adults who sometimes remember to teach them." ---Brock Clarke, author of the national bestseller An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England

"A very grown-up novel about adolescence and the folly of adults, by an impressive new voice in American fiction." ---Kirkus Starred Review

"Especially good at characterization, Gaylord has delivered a story that's ripe with acute and wry observations on men and women, competition, sexuality, and secrets.... Highly recommended." ---Library Journal

"Gaylord's tale of overeducated men and the teenage students who exhibit the finesse and understanding their teachers lack hits all the right notes." ---Publishers Weekly

"Glistens with erudition and insight.... Gaylord's stunning writing elevates his subject matter with equal parts humanity and elegance." ---Jonathan Tropper, author of the New York Times bestseller This Is Where I Leave You

Kirkus Review