Hello Universe

<p><strong>Winner of the Newbery Medal</strong></p><p><strong><em>Kirkus Reviews</em> Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far)</strong></p><p><strong>A charming intriguingly plotted novel. --<em>Washington Post</em></strong></p><p><strong>Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly's <em>Hello Universe</em> is a funny and poignant neighborhood story about unexpected friendships.</strong></p><p>Told from four intertwining points of view--two boys and two girls--the novel celebrates bravery being different and finding your inner <em>bayani</em> (hero). Readers will be instantly engrossed in this relatable neighborhood adventure and its eclectic cast of misfits. --ALA <em>Booklist</em></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>The acclaimed and award-winning author of <em>Blackbird Fly </em>and <em>The Land of Forgotten Girls</em> writes with an authentic humorous and irresistible tween voice that will appeal to fans of Thanhha Lai and Rita Williams-Garcia.</p><p><strong>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. --<em>School Library Journal</em></strong></p>