Hello, Universe

By: Erin Entrada Kelly

Narrated by: Ramon de Ocampo, Amielynn Abellera

Winner of the Newbery Medal

“A charming, intriguingly plotted novel.” (Washington Post)

Acclaimed and award-winning author 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 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)

©2017 Erin Entrada Kelly (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Ramon de Ocampo and Amielynn Abellera narrate this charming story, told from four points of view.... De Ocampo perfectly captures Virgil's painful timidity - and just as easily brings to life Lola, Virgil's wise, sassy Filipino grandmother... Abellera's portrayal of fearless Valencia ("my name could lead people into battle") is especially fine....Abellera nails her prickly but lively way of seeing the world. This especially engaging and sensitive production fully accesses the story's keen perceptions on courage, fate, and friendship." ( AudioFile)

It needs a next book

I like the book and it was a great book and all people should read this book

So good I would totally listen to it again.

The plot is so good I recommend!! Overall the characters have so much personality that it’s almost overwhelming but a really good story.

great!

great story for 12 year Old girlss. I really enjoyed the Characters. I would get another book by her

Hello, fabulous book

What a great story! loved this and am having my elementary students read it now.

A great story for 10 to 12 year olds

This is one of the best books I've read in my entire life. I suggest buying it on audible with the voices it made it feel more immersive. Other reviewers who say it's hard to track each characters point of view leaves me wondering why because I thought it was pretty easy with the book because they're in different settings with different people. I hope there's going to be a sequel. I liked the Valencia point of view chapters the most. I was 10 when reading this book.

HELLO!

Plot Summary: This book is about courage and friendship. Shy and misunderstood child named, Virgil Salinas, opens his heart to other people, after his friends Valencia and Kaori rescued him from a well. He got a great realization the importance of the human relations and got a courage to say “Hello”, to the universe.

Quote: “You are not the same Virgilio. That’s what she understands. Open your eyes, Bayani.” (p. 305)

One of the best books I've ever read!

I loved this book! The characters are beautifully complicated and flawed. The ending made me smile and kept me thinking. Despite the characters' youth they are relatable and the author doesn't write them as childish. I would definitely recommend for everyone!

Such a heart-warming story!

This endearing tale of five children intertwined by fate kept my attention to such an extent that I finished all 42 chapters in just three sittings! The only reason that it even took me a whole three sittings is my busy, hectic schedule as a wife and mother with TWO practically full-time jobs. If I can easily breeze through this book, any one can! It is so touching that I even cried in the end.

This cute, coming-of-age story is relevant for "children" of all ages, especially grown ones like me. I cannot wait to share this story with my twelve-year-old son, the youngest of four left in our home, and with my very new grandson who is still only an infant. However, this is such a great read for males AND females.

Read this book! You will not regret it. I certainly did not, and it is exactly what I needed right now. I too believe that there are NO coincidences. Everything happens for a reason. ;-) Thank you for sharing this novel with us, Erin Entrada Kelly. It has made an impact on my heart, my outlook, and my soul.

Good overall

Nice story for your elementary readers. I felt that the end was a bit anti-climatic though.

Thoughtful, complex, and true to life

The characters are real and relatable. The plot is simple interwoven with complexity. I will give this book to my grandkids to read.