Erin Entrada Kelly was awarded the Newbery Medal for Hello,
Universe and a Newbery Honor for We Dream of Space. She grew up in
Lake Charles, Louisiana, and now lives in Delaware. She is a
professor of children’s literature in the graduate fiction and
publishing programs at Rosemont College, where she earned her MFA,
and is on the faculty at Hamline University. Her short fiction has
been nominated for the Philippines Free Press Literary Award for
Short Fiction and the Pushcart Prize. Before becoming a children’s
author, Erin worked as a journalist and magazine editor and
received numerous awards for community service journalism, feature
writing, and editing from the Louisiana Press Association and the
Associated Press.
Erin Entrada Kelly’s debut novel, Blackbird Fly, was a Kirkus Best
Book, a School Library Journal Best Book, an ALSC Notable Book, and
an Asian/Pacific American Literature Honor Book. She is also the
author of The Land of Forgotten Girls, winner of the Asian/Pacific
American Award for Literature; You Go First, a Spring 2018 Indie
Next Pick; Lalani of the Distant Sea, an Indie Next Pick; Those
Kids from Fawn Creek, named to numerous best-of-the-year lists; and
three acclaimed novels for younger readers, Maybe Maybe Marisol
Rainey, Surely Surely Marisol Rainey, and Only Only Marisol Rainey,
which she also illustrated. She lives in Delaware.
Isabel Roxas is an author and illustrator creating books for
young readers. Originally from Manila, she is now based in New York
City, completing the third installment of her award-winning graphic
novel series The Adventures of Team Pom.
“A charming, intriguingly plotted novel by Erin Entrada Kelly.
...As she skillfully intercuts these four narratives, Kelly builds
suspense and fosters empathy for her characters...As the
connections deepen, it seems that this “big, mysterious, fickle”
universe might harbor friendship and self-awareness for each.” —
Washington Post
★ “Kelly’s inventive story...is told from several supremely
well-crafted perspectives. …The short chapters, compelling
characters, and age-appropriate suspense will hook young readers
immediately. …An original and resonant exploration of
interconnectedness and friendship.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred
review)
★ “Four middle-schoolers’ fates intertwine one summer in Kelly’s
touching tale of friendship. . . . Chapters alternate between the
four kids’ perspectives, infusing the story with their unique
interests, backgrounds, beliefs, and doubts. …Readers will be
instantly engrossed in this relatable neighborhood adventure and
its eclectic cast.” — Booklist (starred review)
★ “Plucky protagonists and a deftly woven story will appeal to
anyone who has ever felt a bit lost in the universe. Readers across
the board will flock to this book that has something for nearly
everyone—humor, bullying, self-acceptance, cross-generational
relationships, and a smartly fateful ending.” — School Library
Journal (starred review)
★ “Kelly offers up a charming novel about a serendipitous
friendship that forms among a trio of sixth graders after a bully’s
heartless act brings them together. ...Infused with humor and hope,
this book deftly conveys messages of resilience and self-acceptance
through simple acts of everyday courage.” — Publishers Weekly
(starred review)
“Kelly creates rich and distinctive characters…through Kelly’s
playful, inventive plotting, Virgil, Valencia, Kaori and Chet all
confront ‘the universe’ in their own way. In the process, Kelly
gives this hope to young readers: we can each discover our inner
hero and transform even our toughest struggles.” — Shelf
Awareness
“Told in alternating perspectives of the three kid-heroes and one
villain...the children’s inner lives are distinctive, and each
rings true.” — Horn Book Magazine
★ “Through Kelly’s playful, inventive plotting, Virgil, Valencia,
Kaori and Chet all confront ‘the universe’ in their own way. In the
process, Kelly gives this hope to young readers: we can each
discover our inner hero and transform even our toughest struggles
by...reaching out to friends and loved ones.” — Shelf Awareness
(starred review)
“Folklore, fairy tales, astrology, mysticism and dreams all mingle
together to create a wonderful, fantastical and unique
world...there is so much for every reader contained within.” —
BookPage
“Fate seems to be trying to bring Valencia and Virgil together,
according to Kaori, but it’s sure not taking any sort of direct
route. …There’s a touch of Snyder’s classic The Egypt Game here, as
a group of disparate youngsters make their own maybe-magic…and find
surprising bonds.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s
Books
“Fate—or something—works in surprising ways in this funny,
empathetic look at connecting with others in a universe often harsh
and inscrutable but, happily, just as often benevolent.” —
Cleveland Plain Dealer
“Suspenseful, quirky and heartwarming, Hello, Universe makes the
world a little smaller, and we are better for that.” — NPR
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