Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly’s “Hello, Universe” is a funny and poignant neighborhood story about unexpected friendships.

Told from four intertwining points of view—two boys and two girls—the novel celebrates bravery, being different, and finding your inner hero. Readers will be instantly engrossed* in this relatable adventure and its eclectic* cast of misfits.

In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his crazy-about-sports family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and she loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic*, whose little sister, Gen, is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just stop being so different so he can concentrate on basketball.

They aren’t friends, at least not until Bullens pulls a prank that traps Salinas and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori Tanaka, Gen, and Somerset on an epic quest to find missing Salinas. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms.

The acclaimed and award-winning author of “Blackbird Fly” and “The Land of Forgotten Girls” writes with an authentic*, humorous, and irresistible tween voice that will appeal to fans of Thanhha Lai and Rita Williams-Garcia.

(SD-Agencies)