Hello, Universe

Hello, Universe is a 2017 novel written by Erin Entrada Kelly. The novel is told from the perspectives of four middle school students as one of them becomes trapped in a well. Hello, Universe won the 2018 Newbery Medal.

Hello, Universe
AuthorErin Entrada Kelly
Audio read byRamon de Ocampo, Amielynn Abellera
IllustratorIsabel Roxas
PublisherGreenwillow Books, Harper Collins
Publication date
14 March 2017
Pages320
AwardsNewbery Medal
ISBN9780062414151
OCLC1027574624
Websitehttps://www.harpercollins.com/9780062414151/hello-universe

Writing

In a dark place, and a girl who cannot hear his cries for help. She did not set out to give her characters particular ethnicity or traits; they merely had those traits by what came into her mind as she was writing. It was, however, important to "celebrate" her Filipino culture as Kelly said, "Filipino culture isn't something that's necessarily prevalent in western literature, especially for kids."[1] Kelly also cited Filipino folklore as an inspiration for the book.[2]

Reception

The book received a largely positive reception, including several starred reviews. Reviewers noted its well-written and diverse characters and relatable plot. A Kirkus starred review wrote of the "supremely well-crafted perspectives"[3] of the four narrators. In a more mixed review, Sarah Hannah Gomez writing for the Horn Book Magazine stated, "while the ending may be a bit too tidy, the children’s inner lives are distinctive, and each rings true."[4] The diversity presented by the characters and the low key way this was handled was also praised in several reviews including by Angie Bayne writing for the Jefferson City News Tribune, "diversity is not treated like a plot point but just a point of fact."[5]

Several reviews commented on the appeal of the book to children. Michelle Shaw writing for School Library Journal praised its wide appeal, "Readers across the board will flock to this book that has something for nearly everyone"[6] while a starred Booklist review stated, "readers will be instantly engrossed."[7]

Hello, Universe was announced as the 2018 Newbery Medal winner in February 2018. The selection committee noted that the book was "masterfully told through shifting points of view," adding that "this modern quest tale shimmers with humor and authentic emotion."[8] Kelly called winning the Newbery among her proudest moments.[1]

gollark: The answer to this one is abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz.
gollark: All the answers are obvious to a competent, insane person.
gollark: This is designed more along traditional IQ test lines.
gollark: They're fairly standard English.
gollark: That would be correct if it was right, which it isn't.

References
  1. Mentzer, Morgan. "Art Talk with Erin Entrada Kelly". Art Works Blog. National Endowment for the Arts. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  2. De Vera, Raul (5 March 2018). "Fil-Am author claims top US children's literature prize". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  3. "Hello, Universe". Kirkus. 15 December 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  4. Gomez, Sarah Hannah. "Hello, Universe Review". Horn Book Magazine. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  5. Bayne, Angie (18 March 2018). "From the Stacks: Power of friendship found in 'Hello Universe'". News Tribune. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  6. Shaw, Michelle (January 20, 2017). "Hello, Universe". School Library Journal. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  7. "Hello, Universe Review". Booklist. 15 December 2016.
  8. Dwyer, Colin (12 February 2018). "'Hello, Universe' Wins Newbery Medal, While Caldecott Goes To 'Wolf In The Snow'". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
Awards
Preceded by
The Girl Who Drank the Moon		 Newbery Medal recipient
2018		 Succeeded by
Merci Suárez Changes Gears
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