Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

Title: Hello Universe
Author/Illustrator: Erin Entrada Kelly/Isabel Roxas
Genre: Fiction
Major Awards: Newbery Medal Book (2018); Texas Bluebonnet Nominee (2018-2019)
Age: 8-12

In the beginning Virgil and Valencia both have their problems, but neither was willing to admit it. Virgil was shy and felt like she he was nothing but a failure. Valencia is deaf, and believes she may be alone for the rest of her life. Virgil really likes Valencia and doesn't know hot to tell her and approach her. They both go to see a "psychic" named Kaori. In the first meeting with the psychic Virgil sees a dark place, but is afraid of the dark. He told him that he had feelings for a girl and she told him that he needed to bring five stones to his next meeting with her. He didn't tell the psychic the name of his girl he likes, but does give the initials to her name. Valencia saw the ad for the psychic and at first isn't sure if she can trust the psychic, and lies to her and gives her a false name. One day they ironically have appointments on the same day. It just so happened that on his way to his appointment, he runs into Chet, a boy who bullied Valencia, and runs into him in the woods. Chet was trying to capture a snake, he messed with Virgil and took his backpack, and threw it in a nearby well. In Virgil's backpack was his guinea pig, Gulliver, so he had to put the stones he had for his appointment to the side and climb into the well and go save Gulliver. He ends up getting stuck in the well, because the ladder he used was missing the last two steps and he had to jump down into the well and was unable to reach the ladder. Knowing Virgil is usually on time to his appointments Kaori became worried about him. In the meantime Valencia arrived for her appointment and Kaori diagnosed her as being afraid to be alone. To which Valencia disagrees and Kaori shares her worries about Virgil possibly missing. Kaori and her sister, Gen, have no clue that Valencia is the girl Virgil had been talking about, and they ask her if she saw him on her way in, and she didn't but wanted to help them look for him. They then went to Kaori's house and on the way there Valencia noticed the stones Virgil left on the side of the well and that it had been uncovered. Unbeknownst to her she just tossed the stones into the well and covered it back up and didn't hear Virgil calling for help. She also wasn't really sure what she saw in the well below so she doesn't mention it. They start looking for him and really believe he's missing.When they saw the stones they realized he was on his way to Kaori. She put the pieces together and realizes he's in the well. Kaori and Gen realize Valencia is the girl he likes, they figure out her real name. While e was in the well, he thinks of all the things he wants to accomplish. He stands up to the Chet, and talks  to Valencia. In the end Valencia doesn't worry about being alone and her and Kaori and Virgil are now her friends. Kaori even became partners with Valencia, and they expanded her business.

I really enjoyed this book and think students in my classroom would too. I think I would use this in a classroom as our class book during a certain time. I think I would have packets at the end of every few chapters to make sure my students are reading it and understanding the material. I think students in 4th-8th grade would be best for this book.
- Peace. Love. Giraffes.

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