The Humming Room

Title: The Humming Room

Author: Ellen Potter

Publisher: Square Fish / Macmillan

Year: 2013

ISBN: 9780312644383

Page Count: 208

Content Summary (2–5 sentences):

Roo Fanshaw, a quiet and resourceful girl, is sent to live with her reclusive uncle on Cough Rock Island after

her parents are murdered. The mansion—once a tuberculosis sanitarium—is filled with secrets, eerie noises,

and hidden spaces. Roo uncovers a mysterious garden and begins to heal emotionally as she connects with the

natural world and the people around her. The novel blends mystery, environmental awareness, trauma recovery,

and community connection, inspired by The Secret Garden.

Tier Classification:

Middle‑School Civic & Environmental Literacy Tier → Healing Literacy + Empathy + Environmental Awareness

Shelf Code:

MS‑ENV (Environmental Literacy)

MS‑CIV (Civic/Community Literacy)

MS‑IDN (Identity & Emotional Growth)

Khan Academy Mapping:

Reading Comprehension (ELA)

Early Environmental Science (ecosystems, restoration)

Social‑Emotional Learning (healing, empathy, resilience)

Alison Credential Mapping:

Environmental Awareness Basics

Community Interaction & Communication

Ethics & Social Responsibility

Problem‑Solving & Emotional Regulation

Corridor Alignment:

Civic Workforce Corridor → community healing, environmental responsibility, empathy literacy

Node Placement:

Middle‑School Literacy Node → Environmental / Civic / Identity shelf