Newbery Medal Winner
Hello, Universe
by Erin Entrada Kelly
Summary
This middle grade novel follows four children whose lives collide over a single day after a bully drops a shy Filipino American boy named Virgil down a well. Erin Entrada Kelly weaves together their separate perspectives, touching on friendship, courage, and the quiet acts that connect strangers, while drawing on Filipino folklore through the stories of Virgil's grandmother. The book celebrates introverts and outsiders, showing how chance encounters can change the course of a life.
”
Historical Context & Significance
This was the first Newbery Medal for Erin Entrada Kelly, who later won a second medal in 2025 for The First State of Being.