Hello, Universe

I just read Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly. On February 12 of this year Hello, Universe won the Newbery Medal for outstanding contribution to children's literature. 

The book takes place over the course of one day. The characters all come together in what seems like a string of crazy coincidences, but...

"There are no coincidences."

This book is a suspenseful adventure that builds empathy for all its characters. While following signs from the Universe, the characters embody creative agency and authentic emotion.

The chain of events that link these middle school characters together is pure magic. The story is told from varied perspectives and makes for a wonderful read. Virgil is shy and quiet. He is on his way to an appointment with Kaori, who is blessed with psychic powers. On his way to meet with Kaori, Virgil runs into Chet Bullens in the woods. Chet is cruel, throwing Virgil's backpack down a well. He does not know that Gulliver, Virgil's pet guinea pig, is inside the backpack. Virgil is not about to let anything dire happen to his beloved pet, and ends up stuck at the bottom of the abandoned well. Little does Virgil know, as he faces the darkness and his many fears, how much he matters to his friends and family. The chapters are short, the suspense palpable, and the characters worthy of knowing.

Get this book for all the middle grade readers you know.

“Sometimes life calls on you 

even when you don't raise your hand.”