Hello, Universe
Author(s): Erin Entrada Kelly

Winner of the Newbery Medal

A charming, intriguingly plotted novel.Washington Post

Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kellys Hello, Universe is a funny and poignant neighborhood story about unexpected friendships.

Told from four intertwining points of viewtwo boys and two girlsthe novel celebrates bravery, being different, and finding your inner bayani (hero). Readers will be instantly engrossed in this relatable neighborhood adventure and its eclectic cast of misfits.Booklist

In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his crazy-about-sports family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and she loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister, Gen, is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just stop being so different so he can concentrate on basketball.

They arent friends, at least not until Chet pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find missing Virgil. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms.

The acclaimed and award-winning author of Blackbird Fly and The Land of Forgotten Girls writes with an authentic, humorous, and irresistible tween voice that will appeal to fans of Thanhha Lai and Rita Williams-Garcia.

Readers across the board will flock to this book that has something for nearly everyonehumor, bullying, self-acceptance, cross-generational relationships, and a smartly fateful ending.School Library Journal

Review(s):
A charming, intriguingly plotted novel by Erin Entrada Kelly. …As she skillfully intercuts these four narratives, Kelly builds suspense and fosters empathy for her characters…As the connections deepen, it seems that this big, mysterious, fickle universe might harbor friendship and self-awareness for each.
Kellys inventive story…is told from several supremely well-crafted perspectives. The short chapters, compelling characters, and age-appropriate suspense will hook young readers immediately. An original and resonant exploration of interconnectedness and friendship.
Four middle-schoolers fates intertwine one summer in Kellys touching tale of friendship. . . . Chapters alternate between the four kids perspectives, infusing the story with their unique interests, backgrounds, beliefs, and doubts. Readers will be instantly engrossed in this relatable neighborhood adventure and its eclectic cast.
Plucky protagonists and a deftly woven story will appeal to anyone who has ever felt a bit lost in the universe. Readers across the board will flock to this book that has something for nearly everyonehumor, bullying, self-acceptance, cross-generational relationships, and a smartly fateful ending.
Kelly offers up a charming novel about a serendipitous friendship that forms among a trio of sixth graders after a bullys heartless act brings them together. …Infused with humor and hope, this book deftly conveys messages of resilience and self-acceptance through simple acts of everyday courage.
Kelly creates rich and distinctive charactersthrough Kellys playful, inventive plotting, Virgil, Valencia, Kaori and Chet all confront the universe in their own way. In the process, Kelly gives this hope to young readers: we can each discover our inner hero and transform even our toughest struggles.
Told in alternating perspectives of the three kid-heroes and one villain…the childrens inner lives are distinctive, and each rings true.
Through Kellys playful, inventive plotting, Virgil, Valencia, Kaori and Chet all confront the universe in their own way. In the process, Kelly gives this hope to young readers: we can each discover our inner hero and transform even our toughest struggles by…reaching out to friends and loved ones.
Folklore, fairy tales, astrology, mysticism and dreams all mingle together to create a wonderful, fantastical and unique world…there is so much for every reader contained within.
Fate seems to be trying to bring Valencia and Virgil together, according to Kaori, but its sure not taking any sort of direct route. Theres a touch of Snyders classic The Egypt Game here, as a group of disparate youngsters make their own maybe-magicand find surprising bonds.

Newbery Medal

ISBN:9780062414168