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A review by theengineerisreading
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
5.0
First of all, I want to express my gratitude to the great Erin Entrada Kelly herself for giving me a signed copy of this book during her visit here in the Philippines last August, and for hosting an epic giveaway party on Twitter. Now, let’s hop on to my review.
If there’s one word that will embody the overall plot of Hello, Universe, that will be DIVERSITY. So, if you’re looking for a diverse read featuring people of different races with numerous thoughts from various walks of life— then Hello, Universe is a perfect fit for you.
Generally focused on the story of Virgil Salinas, a middle grade Filipino who is described as shy and the only one in his family who can’t come out of his shell hence the nickname ‘Turtle,’ and his struggle along middle school, this book introduced us how wonderful the universe is for giving us great things in the most unexpected ways.
Highlighting the struggle of being a shy middle grader, Virgil, together with his only friend who is fond of reading stars and telling fortunes— Kaori Tanaka and her little sister, Gen Tanaka, and unexpected ally in the name of Valencia Somerset, a deaf middle grader who is described as both clever and stubborn and a big fan of hanging out in the woods and praying for Saint Renatus ‘Rene’ Goupil, manage to dodge an unanticipated curveball thrown by the universe on their way.
Aside from friendship stories, Hello, Universe also gave an overview of how powerful imaginative minds are via the inclusion of the character of Lola, Virgil’s grandmother who is into telling stories about dreams and Philippine myths; and seriously, Lola is my favorite character in this book. And I won’t spoil you with the details.
I’ll stop spilling facts about how good this book is but I urge you to read this book and support Erin in any way possible because this is the third book I read from her and all of it are amazing in their own ways. That’s it for this review. Ciao.
Best Quote:
“Friends. Something about the way she says it makes me feel like I found something. I know it sounds corny, but in that moment, with that one word, I already feel like a different person.”
If there’s one word that will embody the overall plot of Hello, Universe, that will be DIVERSITY. So, if you’re looking for a diverse read featuring people of different races with numerous thoughts from various walks of life— then Hello, Universe is a perfect fit for you.
Generally focused on the story of Virgil Salinas, a middle grade Filipino who is described as shy and the only one in his family who can’t come out of his shell hence the nickname ‘Turtle,’ and his struggle along middle school, this book introduced us how wonderful the universe is for giving us great things in the most unexpected ways.
Highlighting the struggle of being a shy middle grader, Virgil, together with his only friend who is fond of reading stars and telling fortunes— Kaori Tanaka and her little sister, Gen Tanaka, and unexpected ally in the name of Valencia Somerset, a deaf middle grader who is described as both clever and stubborn and a big fan of hanging out in the woods and praying for Saint Renatus ‘Rene’ Goupil, manage to dodge an unanticipated curveball thrown by the universe on their way.
Aside from friendship stories, Hello, Universe also gave an overview of how powerful imaginative minds are via the inclusion of the character of Lola, Virgil’s grandmother who is into telling stories about dreams and Philippine myths; and seriously, Lola is my favorite character in this book. And I won’t spoil you with the details.
I’ll stop spilling facts about how good this book is but I urge you to read this book and support Erin in any way possible because this is the third book I read from her and all of it are amazing in their own ways. That’s it for this review. Ciao.
Best Quote:
“Friends. Something about the way she says it makes me feel like I found something. I know it sounds corny, but in that moment, with that one word, I already feel like a different person.”