"Hello" may seem like the easiest word to utter when we meet someone, but it is not the case for everyone, at least not for Virgil, the shy six-grader from Erin Entrada Kelly's award-winning novel Hello, Universe. If you believe that some of us are connected by fate and destined to be friends, you will find the story truly fascinating, heartwarming and uplifting. Read on for more information about the book and enter to win a copy!
About the Book
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 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.
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Greenwillow Books | Reprint edition | April 7, 2020 | ISBN-13: 978-0062414168
My Review:
Hello Universe is a very delightful read with strong characters, gripping storyline, light humor and a hint of supernaturality. I'm deeply impressed with how well the characters are brought to life through seemingly trivial details of their daily routines, their inner thoughts, and the way they interact with others.
Each character has their own set of gifts and problems. Virgil is extremely shy and inarticulate, and thus becoming an easy target for bullies like Chet, and an outlier in his family. On the other hand, he is kind, caring, and wildly imaginative. The girl he is eager to befriend, Valencia, is smart, confident, courageous, and observant, despite her physical disability. Yet she is sleep deprived because of nightmares possibly caused by the feeling of loneliness that she tries so hard to deny. My favorite adult character from the book is Virgil's grandma Lola, who seems to be the most sensible adult who understands the kids and cares about their feelings.
The book provides me with a special reading experience through its unique way of storytelling, alternating between first-person (for Valencia) and third-person narratives (for all the other). And for the part that uses third-person narrative, the story is told through different perspectives from different characters. It is really fun to see how each character puts together the puzzle pieces based on their own limited information. I also like the contrast between the uneventful, rather slow-paced first third of the story, and the dramatic turn of events and mounting urgency in the latter part. My eyes were filled with tears before I knew it, when I got to the rescue scene. Plus, the sweet ending melted my heart and I couldn't help but smiling.
The story depicts a beautiful picture of friendship developed under unusual circumstances, while it encourages us to embrace the differences between one another, and to overcome our fears and weaknesses. The transformation Virgil goes through after his near-death experience says it all. I'd highly recommend this inspiring and intriguing book to tweens, teens and beyond!
Order your copy here.
New York Times–bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly was awarded the Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe. Her debut novel, Blackbird Fly, was a Kirkus Best Book, a School Library Journal Best Book, an ALSC Notable Book, and an Asian/Pacific American Literature Honor Book. She is also the author of The Land of Forgotten Girls, winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, and You Go First, a New York Times bestseller, Spring 2018 Indie Next Pick, Kirkus Reviews Best Book, and School Library Journal Best Book. She grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and now lives in Delaware. For more information, visit: www.erinentradakelly.com
Ten winners will each receive a copy of Hello, Universe!
Giveaway ends 4/21. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are eighteen years of age or older in their state or territory of residence at the time of entry. Void where prohibited by law. Please enter below and good luck!
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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. The giveaway is organized by The Children's Book Review and sponsored by HarperCollins. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.
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