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
