Hello, Universe
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly is a reprint edition published by HarperCollins in 2020, featuring 336 pages in English. This novel presents a neighborhood story that explores unexpected friendships through the intertwining lives of four young characters. Virgil Salinas, shy and kindhearted, struggles to fit in with his sports-enthusiast family, while Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, navigates her own feelings of loneliness despite her bravery and love for nature. The narrative unfolds as a prank by Chet Bullens leads to a series of events that bring these characters together.
Readers will find a humorous and poignant tale that celebrates bravery, individuality, and the journey to find one’s inner hero. The story follows Kaori Tanaka, a self-proclaimed psychic, and her little sister Gen, as they embark on a quest to rescue Virgil after he and his pet guinea pig become trapped. Themes of friendship, self-esteem, and social dynamics are woven throughout the narrative, making it relatable to a wide audience. This edition invites readers to engage with the characters’ adventures and the lessons learned along the way.
Official synopsis Publisher
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
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