by Erin Entrada Kelly
Flap Copy Description:
In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his loud and boisterous family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and 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 act normal so that 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 the 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.
My Thoughts:
When a book is awarded the Newbery Medal, I quickly grab a copy. Hello, Universe, by Erin Entrada Kelly, was just given that high honor in February; I must say, it's well-deserved! The element I most love about this middle grade novel is definitely the twists and turns in its plot, executed by a diverse cast of characters. The authentic and heartfelt dialogue magically brings this tale to life. Congratulations to Erin Entrada Kelly for this beautiful book; it's destined to be a classic.
I highly recommend this novel to readers aged eight to twelve!
Click here to learn more about the author, Erin Entrada Kelly.
