Virgil, Valencia, Kaori, and Chet are four kids growing up in the same town, and their lives are more intertwined than any of them know. Summer break may just change all of their lives. Virgil isn’t as happy as he should be for the start of summer vacation. He’s happy not to see the bully at school, but he regrets that he didn't do something he had tried to get up the nerve to do all year. Virgil is very quiet and comes from a family full of loud and chatty people. Only his grandmother seems to really get him. He sets of some regular appointments with Kaori, a self-proclaimed psychic who lives in his neighborhood. Maybe she can help him. Either way, Kaori loves having Virgil over so she can show her younger sister how to read signs and tell the future. Valencia loves the woods and likes to record her observances in her journal, just like other scientists. She would like to find a friend to talk to and confide in. Life would be a little bit easier for her if her parents would learn sign language, but she makes it through reading lips and using her hearing aides, which give her some help. And then there is Chet, a kid who likes to make fun of others and who can't stand all the "weird" kids in his town. He just wants to get better at basketball and get a snake picture to brag about. But when Chet throws Virgil's guinea pig down a well, things change in more ways than one. Will Chet get in trouble for his antics? Will he get his snake picture? Will Virgil be able to save his guinea pig? Can Kaori tell the future? Will Valencia find the friend she desperately needs? You will have to see what happens when four lives intersect and a well changes everything.
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly is a book that made me really care about the characters. I was rooting for Virgil to become a little braver right from the very beginning. I could understand that he was afraid to speak to a lot of people and stand up for himself, but it is sad to watch someone have opportunities pass them by. Valencia is a great character. I loved how she told people around her what she thought and wasn't afraid to be herself. When Virgil went in the well to save his guinea pig, I kept wishing he would stop and get help. I was so stressed out for him. He didn't have any food, water, or a cell phone to call for help. I am a big fan of books that have multiple characters whose lives are intertwined, so this book was right up my alley. I loved seeing the way things unfolded and the way things eventually turned out. Very interesting! I didn’t know when I started reading this book that it received the Newbery Medal in 2018. I found the story very compelling, and I still think about Virgil, Valencia. and Kaori. I would recommend this book to kids in fourth grade and up who like stories about friendship and brave people. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Has anyone else read Hello, Universe? Or have you read another book by Erin Entrada Kelly? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy Reading!
Sounds like a realistic slice of life.
ReplyDeleteAlex- Totally! :) ~L
DeleteI haven't read this book but I've heard great things about it. Having such compelling characters makes it sound so good. I hope to read this book or another one by Erin soon.
ReplyDeleteNatalie- The characters are so interesting. I loved them for different reasons. I hope you get to read it soon- or another book by Erin. :) ~L
DeleteI loved Hello, Universe when I read it, but then again, Erin Entrada Kelly is a favorite author and has never let me down.
ReplyDeleteRandomly Reading- So glad to hear you loved this one too. I have to read another book by this author soon. :) ~L
DeleteSounds like a great book! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm not around much, I'm still in the clinic!
Valerie- Thanks for stopping by! Not easy right now for sure. Sending hugs! :)
DeleteI haven't read Hello, Universe. Have been meaning too because I like Erin's work. Can't believe we have psychic powers and dowsing book and themes shared today. The characters as you describe them sound well-written and rather compelling. The plot sounds like it really engages readers at the start. Thanks for sharing and reminding me I need to read Erin's book!
ReplyDeletePatricia- You are welcome for the reminder. Definitely some unique characters for sure. Some interesting topics and characters in the books we have both been reading. :) ~L
DeleteI haven't read this one but it sounds good.
ReplyDeleteMary- I enjoyed it. :) ~L
DeleteI think I had a copy of this book once, but I never actually read it (or anything else by Erin Entrada Kelly, which is a travesty!). Your review makes me want to track it down—all 4 characters sound so compelling, and the way their stories connect sounds excellent. Thanks so much for the wonderful post, Stephanie!
ReplyDeleteMax- You are are welcome. It is funny that sometimes we have books and never start them for whatever reason. Then we find out more about them and we want to read them (though we may not have the book anymore). This has happened to me before! The characters are very compelling. If you get to read it- enjoy! :)
DeleteI really enjoyed this when I read it! Thanks for reminding me about it.
ReplyDeleteAndrea- Glad to hear you enjoyed this one too! :) ~L
DeleteYes, this is one of my favorite books. As you stated it's the characters that are truly memorable. You got me thinking I should read this again. Thanks for featuring your review on MMGM.
ReplyDeleteGreg- Just love the characters. I can't wait to read more books by this author. Glad to hear this one is a favorite of yours. :) ~L
DeleteI've never heard of this book, but I can see I need to put it on my TBR list. Thanks for telling me about it.
ReplyDeleteRosi- I think you will really like this one! :) L
DeleteI haven't come across this one before, but it sounds great! Thanks for reviewing!
ReplyDeleteValinora- You are welcome! :) ~L
DeleteThis simply screams 'read me'. There are so many things about this that really appeal but none more so than the characters.
ReplyDeleteFelicity- The characters are awesome! :) ~L
DeleteSounds a good read, many thanks for highlighting it.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Jan- You are welcome! :) ~L
DeleteI haven't read this one but it does sound good. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week too, Mary! :)
DeleteGreat blog
ReplyDeleteRajani-
DeleteThanks! :) ~L
I like books wherein I can relate to not just one character. I've been reading as much book as I could this year. I hope I get to read this one soon.
ReplyDeleteLux- Hope you get to read this one soon. :) ~L
DeleteThis is a new author for me. Thanks for the introduction.
ReplyDeleteLee- You are welcome for the introduction. :) ~L
DeleteSounds like an interesting story in this book.
ReplyDeleteNasreen- I thought so! :) ~L
DeleteThis one has been on my TBR for a bit, I'm glad to see it was a good one.
ReplyDeleteAsh @ Essentially Ash
Ash- Hope you enjoy it when you get to it! :) ~L
DeleteI knew that this had won a award so I was steering clear of it so I didn't even know what it was about until now. I think I would really enjoy Hello, Universe. I also like multiple POV's. I like the idea of having the perspective of the shy kid, brave one, and bully. As well as a psychic?... Thank you for making me read what this is actually about. I might give it a chance now (:
ReplyDeleteAdriana- If you give it a chance I hope you enjoy it! I loved the unique characters and how the story came together. Glad you are thinking about giving it a chance. :)
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