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Hello, Universe
Last updated Saturday, June 4, 2022
Author: Erin Entrada Kelly
Date of Publication: 2017
ISBN: 0062414151
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2022
Synopsis:
In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his crazy-about-sports family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and she loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister, Gen, is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just stop being so different so he can concentrate on basketball.
They aren't friends, at least not until Chet pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find missing Virgil. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms.
| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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This book tells the story of four middle school kids whose lives intersect on a summer’s day. They are not
friends. They don’t go to the same school and those that do only know each other in passing. One kid,
the neighborhood bully, pulls a mean prank on the shy one.
Vocabulary:
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Clementine: a small, nearly seedless citrus fruit; thought to be a cross between a tangerine and an orange. They are said to be sweeter than oranges.
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Philippines: country in the western Pacific that is a group of more than 7000 islands. The people who come from there are called Filipino.
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premonition: a feeling or warning of an event without conscious reason. Often thought to be of something bad about to happen
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zodiac: an imaginary belt of stars in the heavens between the sun, moon and some planets. It contains twelve constellations which are assigned to twelve time periods on the calendar.
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nightmare: a frightening dream that usually wakens the sleeper.
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coincidence: the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have a connection.
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psychic: sensitive to non-physical or supernatural forces or influences.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Virgil’s parents call him “Turtle”. He’s embarrassed because he thinks it a “baby name”. Do you have parents or grandparents that have a pet name for you? How does it make you feel?
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Virgil’s grandmother is constantly telling stories from the Philippines. Many are scary stories. Do you have a relative that tells stories like this? Can you tell one?
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Valencia is deaf but she can read lips and has hearing aids. She thinks of herself as resilient and independent. She feels her mother is too overprotective of her. Do you sometimes feel the same about your parents? Why?
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Kaori thinks she is physic. Do you know anyone who thinks they are?
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NOTE TO KIDS: You’ll want to finish reading this book. After Chet, the bully, pranks Virgil, Virgil is put in great danger. Valencia, Kaori and Kaori’s little sister, Gen will work together to help him.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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