Hello, Universe

Hello, Universe   

By Erin Entrada Kelly 

Hello, Universe follows the lives of four very different middle schoolers. We have the timid Virgil, the bully Chet, the Psychic Kaori, and clever Valencia. They face similar struggles to a lot of middle schoolers, and it makes them relatable characters. Virgil is bullied and takes comfort in his guinea pig, Gulliver, Valencia is deaf and faces judgment, Kaori must take care of her younger sister, and Chet has a lot of home issues. They lead very different lives, but when a prank happens that puts a fellow character's life at risk, they must band together to save a fellow classmate. Hello, Universe deals with many important issues particularly bullying. This book is unique because we see both the perspective of the bully and the victim. There are immersive details throughout the book, such as clever chapter titles, and changing points of view. The plot can seem a bit predictable at times, but Hello, Universe serves its purpose, which is to tell the stories of these characters. Once the book is finished, the cover starts to make sense. The characters are easily recognizable, and it shows an important scene directly from the book. The cultures of the characters are also interwoven into the book. Virgil’s grandmother tells him stories from her childhood that become very important. Valencia relies on the comfort of Saint Rene to guide her. Chet seems to be without meaning at times. Kaori believes she is psychic and talks about her ancestry a lot. These characters are so different and diverse that many people can relate to at least one part of them. There are some slurs used in the book, but they are used to help get the point of the plot across. Hello, Universe is a must-read and would be perfect for a middle schooler.  

BIBLIO: 2017, Greenwillow Books/Harper Collins Publishers, Ages 9-12, $16.99-$8.99 

REVIEWER: Ella Frey  

FORMAT: Middle Reader 

ISBN: 978-0062414151