another newbury winner and a deserving one at that. Goes back and forth between what is happening to a girl with cochlear implants, a japanese girl with aspirations of becoming a fortune teller, a potugese boy and his pet guinea pi and the bully that ill bring them all together. I felt a bit sorry for the bully, but thought that the other , while doing a good job of showing how he got there, didn't excuse his behavior.enjoyable read ( )

I found this book to be strange, boring, but not unreadable. I realize middle-grade realistic fiction is probably one of my least favorite genre's, so I know I have a bias. The characters did not feel compelling or rich they seemed more like caricatures. ( )

I have started this book twice (once audio, once in print) and never got past the fourth chapter. Now that it has won the Newbery, I guess I have to try again. I think the reason I didn't get into this is that it appeared to have no plot (kinda like [b:Piecing Me Together|25566675|Piecing Me Together|Renée Watson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466549070s/25566675.jpg|45365182]). But I just read a review that says the plot gets going in chapter eight! Better late than never?

4 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

"Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly

I read this one because it was a suggested read in my ALA reading journal.

The book follows the perspectives of four diverse protagonists: Virgil, a shy and introspective boy; Valencia, a deaf girl with a penchant for adventure; Kaori, a self-proclaimed psychic with a love for her pet guinea pig; and Chet, a bully with a secret. When Virgil gets trapped in a well, the other three characters come together to rescue him, and their unique personalities and strengths shine as they navigate challenges and embark on an unexpected journey.

I loved the representation of diverse characters and their rich cultural backgrounds. Kelly weaves in Filipino folklore and mythology, as well as deaf culture, in a way that is both informative and engaging. The friendships that develop among the characters are heartwarming, and the messages of empathy, self-acceptance, and standing up to bullies are powerful and resonant.

The writing style is accessible and engaging, making it suitable for middle-grade readers and beyond. The plot is well-paced, with a mix of humor, adventure, and moments of quiet introspection. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and struggles that readers can easily connect with. ( )

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. ( )