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A review by mayathebookworm
A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin
4.0
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews.
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All quotes are taken from A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin.
// Content warning: suicide, implication of mature content, ableism //
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// Quick Statistics //
Overall: 4/5 Stars
Plot: 4/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5 Stars
Setting: 4/5 Stars
Writing: 5/5 Stars
Memorability: 3/5 Stars
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// Quick Review //
A Corner of the Universe is a novel that not only explores the innocence of childhood, but also the power of hope, discovery, and curiosity.
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// Other Information //
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Page Count: 224 pages
Release Date: June 1, 2005
Series: None
Genre: Fiction, YA, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical fiction, Children's, Family, Contemporary, Coming of age, Juvenile
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// Book Description (via Goodreads) //
Hattie Owen enjoys peaceful Millerton summertimes with houses nodding in the heavy air, being in charge of Miss Hagerty's breakfast tray at her parents' boardinghouse, and drinking lemonade on the porch after supper. Yet this year, it's different -- Hattie's uncle Adam is coming home. Returning from a Chicago school that's just closed and whose existence is kept quiet by adult family members, Adam is a 21-year-old man with a child's mind, having a knack for talking quickly, a savant-like ability for remembering weekdays, and a passion for I Love Lucy. Hattie and Adam wind up spending precious time together -- including a visit to the recently arrived carnival with Hattie's new friend, Leila -- which makes her feel soulfully connected to her uncle, especially when he declares that she's one of the people who can lift the corners of our universe. But when Hattie takes Adam on the Ferris wheel one night, it sets off dramatic events that lead Hattie's family to strengthen its bonds and changes her life's outlook forever.
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// Characters //
A Corner of the Universe tells the story of Hattie Owen, whose life is forever changed when she discovers that she has another uncle, Adam. Despite Adam's 'unusual' behavior (according to Hattie's family), Hattie and Adam spend a summer of chaos and discovery together in which Hattie discovers the true meaning of friendship.
Hattie, personally, annoyed me. However, I do think that her childhood innocence in various matters was perfectly portrayed. Too often 'children' in middle-grade novels are written to be older.
My favorite character, however, was either Leila (Hattie's friend from the carnival) or Adam, the cutie. Both were very likable and amazing friends to Hattie.
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// Writing and Setting //
The writing of this novel screams that it is from a child's point of view. Perfectly childish and curious, the novel sucks the reader into Hattie's world.
A Corner of the Universe takes place in the summer of 1960 in Millertown.
---
// Plot //
A Corner of the Universe is the tale of Hattie's summer in 1960 where she meets Adam and Leila, spends her days at the carnival, and discovers family secrets that her Nana would die before letting other people know.
The novel was decently paced and I was never bored; the liveliness of Hattie's perspective kept me turning the pages.
---
// Overall Review //
Overall, A Corner of the Universe was an excellent novel that radiates that brightness that is one's childhood.
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Author's Website || Amazon
---
All quotes are taken from A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin.
// Content warning: suicide, implication of mature content, ableism //
---
// Quick Statistics //
Overall: 4/5 Stars
Plot: 4/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5 Stars
Setting: 4/5 Stars
Writing: 5/5 Stars
Memorability: 3/5 Stars
---
// Quick Review //
A Corner of the Universe is a novel that not only explores the innocence of childhood, but also the power of hope, discovery, and curiosity.
---
"Adam told me about lifting the corners the second time I met him, but I had no idea what he meant. Now I think I do. It's all about changing what's handed to you, about poking around a little, lifting the corners, seeing what's underneath, poking that. Sometimes things work out, sometimes they don't but at least you're exploring. And life is always more interesting that way."
---
// Other Information //
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Page Count: 224 pages
Release Date: June 1, 2005
Series: None
Genre: Fiction, YA, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical fiction, Children's, Family, Contemporary, Coming of age, Juvenile
---
// Book Description (via Goodreads) //
Hattie Owen enjoys peaceful Millerton summertimes with houses nodding in the heavy air, being in charge of Miss Hagerty's breakfast tray at her parents' boardinghouse, and drinking lemonade on the porch after supper. Yet this year, it's different -- Hattie's uncle Adam is coming home. Returning from a Chicago school that's just closed and whose existence is kept quiet by adult family members, Adam is a 21-year-old man with a child's mind, having a knack for talking quickly, a savant-like ability for remembering weekdays, and a passion for I Love Lucy. Hattie and Adam wind up spending precious time together -- including a visit to the recently arrived carnival with Hattie's new friend, Leila -- which makes her feel soulfully connected to her uncle, especially when he declares that she's one of the people who can lift the corners of our universe. But when Hattie takes Adam on the Ferris wheel one night, it sets off dramatic events that lead Hattie's family to strengthen its bonds and changes her life's outlook forever.
---
// Characters //
A Corner of the Universe tells the story of Hattie Owen, whose life is forever changed when she discovers that she has another uncle, Adam. Despite Adam's 'unusual' behavior (according to Hattie's family), Hattie and Adam spend a summer of chaos and discovery together in which Hattie discovers the true meaning of friendship.
Hattie, personally, annoyed me. However, I do think that her childhood innocence in various matters was perfectly portrayed. Too often 'children' in middle-grade novels are written to be older.
My favorite character, however, was either Leila (Hattie's friend from the carnival) or Adam, the cutie. Both were very likable and amazing friends to Hattie.
---
My father's movies are great, but they don't begin to tell the story of the summer. What's left out is more important than what's there. Dad captured the good times, only the good times. The parts he left out are what changed my life.
---
// Writing and Setting //
The writing of this novel screams that it is from a child's point of view. Perfectly childish and curious, the novel sucks the reader into Hattie's world.
A Corner of the Universe takes place in the summer of 1960 in Millertown.
---
// Plot //
A Corner of the Universe is the tale of Hattie's summer in 1960 where she meets Adam and Leila, spends her days at the carnival, and discovers family secrets that her Nana would die before letting other people know.
The novel was decently paced and I was never bored; the liveliness of Hattie's perspective kept me turning the pages.
---
// Overall Review //
Overall, A Corner of the Universe was an excellent novel that radiates that brightness that is one's childhood.
---
Author's Website || Amazon