The lives of five very different children intersect due to a horrible accident, and some of them may leave their harrowing adventure as friends. Virgil seeks to be embraced by his family that are too focused on sports and the perfection of this older brothers, but Virgil is not perfect. A learning disability makes math difficult for him and his shy nature keeps him from embracing others around except for his grandmother and his hamster, Gulliver. Valencia is a deaf student that Virgil wants to become friends with, but he is too shy to approach him and she has cut off engagements with other students because none of them understand her disability. Instead, Valencia studies and sketches nature as much as can, even doing everything she can to take care of a stray dog that lives in the nearby forest. Kaori is a psychic. She embraces all things astrological and new age and orders on pagan. Her little sister, Gen, aids her in many ways, but the sisters are completely different from one another. Last of the group is Chet “Bull” Bullens who would never accept any of the other four kids because they are too odd and do not embrace his favorite sport, basketball.
Chet believes that Valencia is lying about her hearing impairment and he regularly bullies Virgil. When Virgil is walking to Kaori’s house through the woods to speak to his physic, Chet finds him and tosses Virgil’s backpack in a well. The backpack that is carrying Gulliver. Virgil can’t stand losing his best friend and he goes into the well, realizing too late the ladder cuts off short and he has no way to get out.
When Virgil does not show up to his appointment or answer his cellphone, Kaori beings to worry. It is not like Virgil to miss an appointment and not answer her texts. Valencia has arrived for her appointment, not sure if she believes that Kaori and Gen have any psychic powers at all, but as Kaori begins to worry more about Virgil, the three ladies’ band together to try and find him. They go to his home. They search the woods. The day gets later, and they have not found him yet. They find Chet who thinks he was bit by a snake. Valencia is able to help him and he talks about the well. Maybe they can find Virgil in time.
Erin Kelly offers a very realistic and well-plotted book that touches on many issues that kids should explore. A child with a learning disability, one with a physical handicap, a believe that others do not embrace or believe, and a bully that wants only to make his dad happy. Their characters are beautifully crafted and shine on the pages so the chapters in their different viewpoints are easy to follow. There is diversity in races – white, Hispanic, and Asian – and in socio-economic status, in mental, social, and physical abilities that are sure to intrigue young readers. Kirkus believed a similar view. “The short chapters, compelling characters, and age-appropriate suspense will hook young readers immediately. Neither Valencia nor Chet is cued racially. An original and resonant exploration of interconnectedness and friendship (2016). Michele Shaw from School Library Journal offered a resounding verdict. (Unlikely friendships are formed and heroism abounds as the group of young people try to find their way in the world. Plucky protagonists and a deftly woven story will appeal to anyone who has ever felt a bit lost in the universe. VERDICT 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” (2017).
Awards: Newbery Medal | Winner | Children’s | 2018 – 2018
Texas Bluebonnets 2018-2019
Kelly, Erin Entrada (2017). Hello, Universe. New York: Greenwillow Books.
Ingram (2017). [Awards – Hello, Universe by Kelly, Erin Entrada]. Retrieved on December 1, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?ttl_id=46815759
Ingram (2017). [Digital Image – Hello, Universe by Kelly, Erin Entrada]. Retrieved on December 1, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?ttl_id=46815759
Kirkus Reviews (2016). [Book Review – Hello, Universe by Kelly, Erin Entrada]. Retrieved on December 1, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?ttl_id=46815759
Shaw, Michele (2017). [Book Review – School Library Journal – Hello, Universe by Kelly, Erin Entrada]. Retrieved on December 1, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?ttl_id=46815759
Ramblings of Jhenry 