Books like Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
Winner of the 2018 Newbery Medal, *Hello Universe* follows four unlikely companions: Virgil Salinas, a shy boy who feels out of place in his loud family; Valencia Somerset, a smart, brave deaf girl who loves nature; Kaori Tanaka, a self‑proclaimed psychic, and her sister Gen; and Chet Bullens, a basketball‑obsessed boy who at first dismisses the "weird" classmates. When Chet pulls a prank that sends Virgil and his pet guinea pig into a well, Kaori, Valencia, and Gen embark on a quest to find him. Their journey shows how a single event can bring diverse lives together, fostering friendship, empathy, and self‑discovery. The story blends humor and poignancy, offering young readers insight into disability, social dynamics, and the power of connection.
First publish date: 2017
Genre: Children's Fiction/Children's Adventure
Authors: Erin Entrada Kelly
★
★
★
★
★
4.0 (4 community ratings)
How are these books recommended?
The books recommended for Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly are shaped by reader interaction. Votes on how closely books relate, user ratings, and community comments all help refine these recommendations and highlight books readers genuinely find similar in theme, ideas, and overall reading experience.
Have you read any of these books?
Your votes, ratings, and comments help improve recommendations and make it easier
for other readers to discover books they’ll enjoy.
Books similar to Hello Universe (26 similar books)
A magical, time‑travel adventure for young readers, A Wrinkle in Time follows Meg and Charles Murry, the children of a missing father who was working on a tesseract. The novel blends science, fantasy, and strong family bonds, and was awarded the Newbery Medal.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
In 1943 Copenhagen, ten‑year‑old Annemarie Johansen helps her Jewish friend Ellen Rosen escape Nazi persecution, learning courage and resilience while navigating war‑time hardships.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Roller Girl follows Astrid, a ninth‑grade girl in Portland, as she discovers roller derby and learns about friendship, confidence, and perseverance through the sport.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A ten‑year‑old boy in rural Virginia befriends a newcomer, and together they create the imaginary kingdom of Terabithia, a friendship that ends tragically when a storm forces an untimely death.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A verse novel that follows a ten‑year‑old Vietnamese girl’s first year in the United States in 1975, as she navigates language, culture, bullying, and family change while yearning for home.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Ivan, a gorilla who has lived behind glass in a shopping‑mall circus for 27 years, learns new meaning for art and friendship when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Eleven-year-old Melody, a girl with cerebral palsy and a photographic memory, cannot speak, walk, or write. Living inside her thoughts, she discovers a way to finally speak out, challenging the world’s assumptions about her abilities.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A Newbery‑Medal‑winning juvenile epistolary novel by Beverly Cleary, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, about a young writer who learns about family, friendship, and school life through letters.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
El Deafo is a graphic novel by Cece Bell that follows a young girl who loses her hearing, learns to navigate the world with a hearing aid, and finds new friendships through humor and creativity.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
During the turbulent summer of 1968, 11‑year‑old Delphine and her sisters travel from Brooklyn to Oakland to reconnect with their abandoned mother, only to find themselves immersed in Black Panther activism and a quest for family truth.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Josh and his twin brother Jordan navigate high school, basketball, and the changing bond between them through verses of rhyme and the thrill of the game.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
After her mother leaves, thirteen‑year‑old Sal travels with her grandparents, retracing her mother’s path while recounting her friend Phoebe’s story of loss and understanding.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Seventh‑grader Jordan Banks dreams of art school, but his parents send him to a top private school where he is one of the few kids of color. Struggling between two worlds, he must keep friends back home while navigating a new culture and staying true to himself.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A young girl learns to be a midwife in medieval England.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
When Lily moves in with her sick grandmother, a legendary tiger from Korean folklore offers a bargain: return what was stolen or restore her Halmoni’s health. Lily must confront family secrets and the true power of stories.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A coming‑of‑age tale set in 1920s Windsor, Ontario, where a mute horseboy named Agba guides the legendary King of the Wind, a foal of the Godolphin Arabian, from humble beginnings to legendary glory.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Jude, a young Syrian immigrant in America, navigates the challenges of family, culture, and hope while caring for her pregnant mother and wondering about friends Issa and Babi.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A middle‑grade story about Ally, a girl who struggles with dyslexia, and her journey to find acceptance and help at school.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Mafatu, a twelve‑year‑old Polynesian boy who fears the sea, defies ridicule and embarks on a solo voyage with his dog Uri, discovering courage and transforming his community's perception of him.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Seven‑year‑old Billy Miller faces first‑grade nerves, a bump on his head, and family worries, but by year’s end he builds a supportive bond with his teacher, sister, and parents while learning valuable lessons.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Teen pop star Oakley Ford struggles with a faltering career and a disintegrating family life, prompting his team to stage a fake relationship with the ordinary 17‑year‑old waitress Vaughn Bennett to smooth his public image.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
In this board‑book rhyme, a little girl celebrates her own uniqueness and confidence, encouraging young readers to embrace their individuality regardless of outward appearance.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
In middle school, Jenny McAfee receives mysterious secret notes and must uncover the prankster while navigating friendships and school life.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A brightly illustrated board book that encourages children to embrace themselves through simple, affirming messages like "It's okay to be short" and "It's okay to dream big," celebrating individuality and self‑esteem.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Some Other Similar Books
Counting by 7s by Heather DemetriosHave a similar book in mind? Let others know!
Please login to submit books!