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isaacmm43's review against another edition
3.0
I don't mean this as shade, but I'm somewhat surprised that this won the Newbery Medal. It was a fun little book, but definitely not as deep or even depressing as some of the other winners are. Still cute. I liked Valencia and Kaori. Virgil was a tiresome main character.
readsbyjulia's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It captured the relaxed, carefree dynamics of childhood friendships immensely well and how difficult it can be when you don’t quite understand them. Generally speaking, it is so much easier to make friends as a kid. Thus, when you struggle it can feel like there’s something inherently wrong with you instead of it just being a skill you need to work at more than others do. Such is the case with Virgil.
I am very much a Virgil kind of person so that whole longing for a person who you’ve only vaguely associated with, but being unable to force yourself to reach out for fear of it failing is unfortunately all too relatable.
All of the characters, even bully Chet, were so vibrant and fully realized. Erin Entrada Kelly writes the characters in such a way that they feel like how kids would actually act in real life. It made for a wonderfully strong understanding as to each person's motivations and decisions. It was clear cut and also distinct based on their personalities.
I loved the authentic portrayal of their hardships. There were things that the kids were grappling with, but it was treated as an ongoing symptom of growing up. Some interpersonal issues are not going to be fixed immediately and some are things that as a kid you put up with because of the power imbalance; you don’t yet have the words to specifically call out the behavior or seriously approach the subject though you are aware it frustrates you. It doesn’t always have to be as extreme as detaching from abuse or cruelty. In all relationships there are going to be times where someone wrongs the other party and you have to learn how to navigate these situations even in overall healthy relationships like most of these kids have with their parents.
I appreciated this bit of realism. It’s what really made this feel like a coming of age story to me - the fact that everything is not perfect by the end. We’re looking at a small, but pivotal moment in a few kids’ lives. Life is filled with a ton of these and this is merely one out of trillions of others that, as the reader, we are privy to. Where it goes from here is heavily implied, but not guaranteed.
Despite the realism it never got dour. The core message was that the universe wants you to succeed. The universe wants you to be happy and is trying its best to help you out - you just have to be willing to meet it halfway. It’s a kind of ideology that can appeal to both kinds of thinkers; a bit of optimism to help the pragmatism go down.
The ending was bittersweet in a good way. I identified heavily with Virgil, it made me physically ill to watch him do what I know without a doubt I would have also done. It’s a hard pill to swallow that you’re an adult woman who has on some level still not grown past the emotional state of a twelve year old.
This is a standout read to me. It’s quick, it’s fun, it’s emotionally fulfilling. I cannot recommend it enough.
I am very much a Virgil kind of person so that whole longing for a person who you’ve only vaguely associated with, but being unable to force yourself to reach out for fear of it failing is unfortunately all too relatable.
All of the characters, even bully Chet, were so vibrant and fully realized. Erin Entrada Kelly writes the characters in such a way that they feel like how kids would actually act in real life. It made for a wonderfully strong understanding as to each person's motivations and decisions. It was clear cut and also distinct based on their personalities.
I loved the authentic portrayal of their hardships. There were things that the kids were grappling with, but it was treated as an ongoing symptom of growing up. Some interpersonal issues are not going to be fixed immediately and some are things that as a kid you put up with because of the power imbalance; you don’t yet have the words to specifically call out the behavior or seriously approach the subject though you are aware it frustrates you. It doesn’t always have to be as extreme as detaching from abuse or cruelty. In all relationships there are going to be times where someone wrongs the other party and you have to learn how to navigate these situations even in overall healthy relationships like most of these kids have with their parents.
I appreciated this bit of realism. It’s what really made this feel like a coming of age story to me - the fact that everything is not perfect by the end. We’re looking at a small, but pivotal moment in a few kids’ lives. Life is filled with a ton of these and this is merely one out of trillions of others that, as the reader, we are privy to. Where it goes from here is heavily implied, but not guaranteed.
Despite the realism it never got dour. The core message was that the universe wants you to succeed. The universe wants you to be happy and is trying its best to help you out - you just have to be willing to meet it halfway. It’s a kind of ideology that can appeal to both kinds of thinkers; a bit of optimism to help the pragmatism go down.
The ending was bittersweet in a good way. I identified heavily with Virgil, it made me physically ill to watch him do what I know without a doubt I would have also done. It’s a hard pill to swallow that you’re an adult woman who has on some level still not grown past the emotional state of a twelve year old.
This is a standout read to me. It’s quick, it’s fun, it’s emotionally fulfilling. I cannot recommend it enough.
terhill's review against another edition
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
jaimeitw's review against another edition
4.0
A sweet story that I would have enjoyed as a teen. I can still appreciate its message and see the book's appeal. The characters were my favourite part as they really carried the story. I couldn't say I enjoyed reading about Virgil being trapped because it was so well-written I felt scared on his behalf. Would recommend as a good read for kids in their age range (8-12).
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sweet book about friendship and standing up for yourself. I appreciated how the characters were fully developed and impacted but not defined by their differences. I loved the relationship between Virgil and Lola, his grandmother. I liked how he was called Turtle and how he finally dealt with that. I did not like the bully or his bully father, The Bullens Boys, and how they both get away with being such jerks. But I guess that is usually how it is in real life...?
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
buddy read with mora!!
this was super sweet. i loved the characters and diversity. also a super quiet filipino kid who gets called turtle????? uhhh that’s a little too on the nose for me….anyway definitely loved this one, i just thought the ending was a bit underwhelming.
buddy read with mora!!
this was super sweet. i loved the characters and diversity. also a super quiet filipino kid who gets called turtle????? uhhh that’s a little too on the nose for me….anyway definitely loved this one, i just thought the ending was a bit underwhelming.
melodys_library's review against another edition
4.0
When I was a kid, I longed for a book that had characters like me, faces like mine. Twenty years later, I finally found it!
Hello, Universe has a diverse cast of characters: Filipino-American, Japanese American, deaf. Kids who read this book learn that it’s ok to feel your feelings, it’s ok to cry, it’s ok to speak your truth; it’s not ok to treat people like they are less than you because they are different from you. Love everything about this book, and the ending is just perfect.
Hello, Universe has a diverse cast of characters: Filipino-American, Japanese American, deaf. Kids who read this book learn that it’s ok to feel your feelings, it’s ok to cry, it’s ok to speak your truth; it’s not ok to treat people like they are less than you because they are different from you. Love everything about this book, and the ending is just perfect.