Hello, Universe

The latest from Erin Entrada Kelly is the winner of the John Newbery Medal for most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

It's a story about bullying, friendship, and being brave, intertwined with Filipino stories and folklore.

Being brave

"Bayani, of all the questions you ever ask yoursel in life, never ask, 'What's the point?' It's the worst question in the world."

Virgil Salinas is so shy that his parents call him Turtle. His only friends are Kaori Tanaka and her sister Gen, who are in the business of fortune telling. Kaori is actually very perseptive. Valencia Somerset needs hearing aids. Many people see her as different and weird, and cannot be bothered with her special needs. So, she decides she is better of on her own. She likes the nature and animals. But Valencia is very brave. Chet Bullens is the local bully, calling everyone bad names, but the others discover his fear. And Virgil finds his courage after being faced with death.

"I hear with my eyes".

The story is written in a very intersting style. Every chapter is writen from the perspective of one of the characters. So as you read you hear the same events as understood by four different people. The author also has a habit of repeating certain words or phrases three times.