Hello, Universe, by Newbery medalist Erin Entrada Kelly, is a funny and heartwarming neighborhood story about unexpected friendships.

Told from four interwoven points of view (two boys and two girls), the novel celebrates bravery, being different, and finding the bayani (hero) within you. “Readers will be instantly absorbed in this relatable neighborhood adventure and its eclectic cast of misfits.”—Booklist

In one day, four lives become intertwined in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kind-hearted, and feels out of place in his sports-obsessed family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and loves all things nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic whose little sister, Gen, always follows her everywhere. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would stop being so different so he can focus on basketball.

They are not friends—at least not until Chet plays a prank that traps Virgil and his guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find the missing Virgil. Thanks to luck, intelligence, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is made, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blossoms.

The acclaimed and award-winning author of Blackbird Fly and The Land of Forgotten Girls writes with an authentic, funny, and irresistible interpolating voice that will appeal to fans of Thanhha Lai and Rita Williams-García.