Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

Winner of the Newbery Medal “A charming, intriguingly plotted novel.”—Washington Post Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly’s Hello, Universe is a funny and poignant neighborhood story about unexpected friendships. Told from four intertwining points of view—two boys and two girls—the 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 aren’t 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 everyone—humor, bullying, self-acceptance, cross-generational relationships, and a smartly fateful ending.”—School Library Journal

I wish we could have more of virgil, valencia, kaori, and gen's adventures!!

I really loved the diverse characters and all their personalities, the filipino folklore and tales by virgil's lola, and the relationship dynamics in this story. I've been reading a lot more middle grade books lately and i've been enjoying them all so far. this one definitely did not disappoint.

i love how we were able to see the bully's perspective as well and how his personality (and why he is the way he is) is greatly influenced by his father.

apart from this being such an easy read, ms kelly does a great job of writing her characters and how she highlights their interests and personalities, and their relationships w the other characters. i love how this book teaches younger readers how sometimes society can label you and treat you differently because you're “different” i.e. virgil being too shy or needing extra help with math, and valencia being deaf, but that doesn't need to be your identity.

she writes and describes how people treat valencia differently and act uncomfortable towards her because she's deaf, as well as how virgil's parents, especially his mom, call him a nickname that isn't cute at all when you find out the meaning behind it, and it's so heartbreaking because these are some things that people really do go through.

as sad some parts are, i really have to highlight how this is such a great book for having such diverse characters but the story not necessarily focusing on their diversity, and for having such inquisitive and courageous characters. i'm so glad we get to see more of these books and younger filipino kids being able to relate to characters that they read about.

this was such a wonderful read and absolutely loved every bit of it!

2.5

It was fine, but I don't think it was award worthy. Or particularly memorable.

The abundant use of the R word bothered me. It was apparently one of the only insults the bully, Chet, knew and every scene he's in he says it about half a dozen times, but not it's never really addressed why that is not ok to say.

Really sweet! I loved the Tanaka sisters so much.

This is a fun, kind adventure story, perfect for tweens looking for a realistic story. Also great for classes wanting a book to discuss bullying in a non-heavy-handed way.