Embedded Files
Summary
Summary
Hello, Universe is a 2018 Newberry Award Winner about how unlikely friendships are formed on a journey to save Virgil Salinas who is missing from a prank the neighborhood bully Chet Bullens caused. With the help of Kaori Tanaka the neighborhood “psychic,” her little sister Gen who loves to jump rope, and Valencia Somerset who is deaf and also Virgil’s crush, these ladies go on a mission to find Virgil. Through their different perspectives, life experiences, and trusting the universe, they’re able to save Virgil and bring him home.
Keywords/Phrases: Misfits, Bully, Friendships, Universe, Adventure
Suggested Delivery: 3rd - 4th grade read aloud
Key Vocabulary
Deaf: A person that has trouble hearing or cannot hear at all
Hearing Aid: A small electronic or battery-operated device that can amplify and change sound, used by people with hearing loss
Invisible: Not able to be seen, one that doesn’t stand out initially
Anak: A female or male child, a daughter or son
Enigma: A person that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand
Bayani: A hero, someone who is brave
Reading Strategies
Before
Before
Students will read the first few pages of Hello, Universe and make predictions about the novel or plot based on the first few pages. Students can then share out their predictions and discuss how they created their predictions or what evidence led them to believe their prediction might occur.
During
During
Students will fill out a story map in small groups as they read the novel
After
After
Students will retell the events of the novel in chronological order to demonstrate their comprehension skills as if they were a character in the book using the website, Voki. This website will allow students to customize their own character and create dialogue for them, giving students the opportunity to use their creativity and stay engaged with the content.
Writing Activity
Reading Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.1 – Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
Writing Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3 – Write narratives to develop real or imagine experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
Activity: Students will write narratives from the point of view of Gulliver, Virgil’s pet guinea pig who is always by his side throughout the novel. Students can pick an event in the novel and write how Gulliver may have felt or create an imaginary event, however, these narratives should contain descriptive details, technique, and event sequences. They may also contain dialogue that students think Gulliver might say.
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