M nica and Hannah are school kids in the big city. Together, they have formed the Homesick Club, since they are both from far away. M nica misses the family of hummingbirds that she and her grandmother would feed in her backyard in Bolivia every day. Hannah misses the sunshine and the tiny tortoise that lived near her house in Israel.

When a new teacher, Miss Shelby, arrives from Texas, the girls discover that she misses her home, too, especially the huge sky full of stars and a Southern treat known as Hummingbird Cake. The girls ask Miss Shelby to join their club, then M nica decides she will bring a surprise for show and tell -- a surprise that brings Miss Shelby close to tears.

Author Libby Martinez addresses a theme that many children can relate to -- feeling homesick -- especially when home is far away. Rebecca Gibbon's charming illustrations bring an imaginative, light touch to the story.