Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly Greenwillow Books, 2017 Winner of the 2018 John Newbery Medal Hello, Universe was just announced as the 2018 winner of the Newbery Medal, one of the most well-known awards for children’s literature. I’ve heard lots of great things about this book, as well as some mixed reviews, and wanted to check it out for myself. This story contains the unique perspectives of four kids, two boys and two girls, on the first day of summer after sixth grade. The main character, Virgil, is a young Filipino boy whose quiet personality doesn’t quite fit in with his outgoing, athletic family. His grandmother, Lola, is his confidant and someone who plays a pivotal role in the story, sharing Filipino folklore that directly relates to the events of the story. Kaori is a self-proclaimed psychic who befriends Virgil as she helps him with how to deal with some of the problems he he is experiencing. She is closely shadowed by her sister, Gen, who is along for the adventure of this story. Valencia is deaf, struggling with nightmares, and secretly desperately lonely. She is, however, incredibly smart and brave, and proves to be a vital resource to the group. Chet is the school bully who has been relentlessly attacking Virgil throughout the past school year. Throughout the story, the lives of these four kids intertwine as each chapter is told from one of their perspectives. You really get a feel for their emotions and motivations in a way that is easily relatable for younger readers. Without giving too much away, after an encounter with Chet, Kaori and Valencia set off to find and rescue Virgil who relies on the knowledge imparted to him by his Lola to survive. So, here’s the honest truth, I did not love this book. I liked it, it was well-written, the characters were well-developed, it had a satisfying ending, etc. It just didn’t “wow” me. When I think of the Newbery award, I think of amazing books that have left a lasting impact on me as a reader, like When You Reach Me and The One and Only Ivan. This one just didn’t do that for me. That being said, it is a good book, and one that I will recommend to students, especially fans of realistic fiction and survival/adventure stories.
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AuthorMy name is Mrs. Scott and I'm a secondary Media Resource Specialist (librarian) in Texas. This blog was created as part of my graduate coursework at Texas Woman's University. All reviews and opinions are my own.
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