I really enjoy books with alternating voices.
I really enjoy books where the author makes you gasp out loud.
I really enjoy the satisfaction that comes from 'working hard' to make sense of the story, characters, setting etc.
I really enjoy books where I feel I am safe in the hands of a skilled storyteller. Knowing everything will be alright even though I am so anxious for the characters as they face huge dangers.
I really enjoy books which feel like solving a complex jigsaw with the added satisfaction that all the pieces fit together perfectly at the end.
This is why I loved Hello Universe and I can see why it was a winner!
Here is the blurb:
"Virgil Stalinas is shy and misunderstood. Valencia Somerset is clever and stubborn. Kaori Tanaka tells fortunes and can read the stars. Chet Bullens is the biggest bully in the neighborhood. They aren't friends. They're practically strangers. But when Chet pulls and unthinkable prank on Virgil and his pet guinea pig, Gulliver, these four students are thrown together in incredible and surprising ways."
Hello Universe was the winner of the Newbery Medal in 2017. You can meet the author here. Here is an audio sample that begins at Chapter Two. Click on the reviews below for more plot details. I highly recommend this book for senior primary students who enjoy complex stories and who are happy to be patient and let the characters slowly reveal their personal stories.
An original and resonant exploration of interconnectedness and friendship. Kirkus
Wait for the last sentence in the book – but don’t peek. The final word will make you feel like you should stand up and cheer! Nerdy Book Club
Unlikely friendships are formed and heroism abounds as the group of young people try to find their way in the world. Plucky protagonists and a deftly woven story will appeal to anyone who has ever felt a bit lost in the universe. School Library Journal
No comments:
Post a Comment