“’Kaori, all that stuff is just …’
            ‘Don’t say it,’ Kaori said.
‘It was all just …’
            ‘Don’t say it,’ Gen said.
‘… coincidence.’
            Kaori hung her head.  ‘If that’s what you believe, there’s no hope for you, Virgil Salinas.’”
pg. 298 Hello, Universe
 
It’s the start of summer vacation and the lives of four diverse middle schoolers (along with one little sister), are about to come together in a way none of them would have thought.  Virgil is shy and usually feels out of place, Kaori is a self-proclaimed psychic, Valencia is smart, strong and deaf, and Chet is a bully who is suspicious of anyone not like him.  Is it fate that brings their stories together, or just coincidence?
 
Virgil is taking a short cut through the woods on his way to Kaori’s house; Valencia has gone into the woods to record nature observations in her journal and feed the stray dog she’s named Sacred; and Chet is in the woods looking to catch a snake.  When Chet crosses paths with Virgil, he does his usual, calling Virgil names and picking on him, but Virgil is too shy to say anything and just takes Chet’s abuse.  But when Chet rips Virgil’s backpack off and drops it down an abandoned well, Chet unknowingly sets in motion a series of events that will strengthen Virgil.  However, like every hero in a story, Virgil must first face down his fears, and Kaori and Valencia must trust their instincts in order to help Virgil. Told in alternating chapters between the four characters, Hello, Universe is a story about fear and bravery, a story that celebrates the differences in all of us, and a story about finding your inner bayani. (Filipino for “hero”)
 
“It doesn’t take many words to turn your life around, Bayani.” pg 302
 
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly was awarded the 2018 Newbery Medal.  Each year the American Library Association (ALA) honors outstanding children's books with a variety of awards.  The Newbery Medal, for chapter books, has been awarded each year, since 1922, "…to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children."(ala.org). Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson and Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes were named 2018 Newbery Honor Books.