Genre: Special Needs
Author: Erin Entrada Kelly
Awards: Newbery Medal (2018)
Age Group: 8 to 11-year-olds
Teacher Evaluation: I would highly recommend this book to fourth and fifth-grade students. I think this book is written very well and the story keeps the reader intrigued the entire time. I think because of the thickness many students wouldn't want to read it so I think I would start reading it in class then stop so those interested in it could continue reading on their own.
Summary: This book begins by introducing one of the four main characters, Virgil. Virgil has a quick exchange after a bad day with his grandma. Although he tries to hide it, he knows his grandma knows something is wrong with him but he decides to keep it to himself. The following chapter introduces another character, Valencia. Valencia is an eleven-year-old girl who happens to be deaf. The chapter about Valencia describes a nightmare she has, which in the end she ends up completely alone. The book begins to jump perspectives and in the fourth chapter, we meet Kaori, who believes she is a psychic. In her chapter, we learn that Virgil is a client of hers and that her little sister Gen is going to help her prepare for her meeting with Virgil. The next few chapters are told through Virgil's perspective, it introduces a bully who torments Virgil on his way to Kaori's house. At Kaori's house, she tells Virgil that she sees him a peculiar situation and in the dark. Virgil isn't sure what to make of that, then reveals to Kaori the real reason why he went to her. Virgil wanted to talk to her about a girl he likes, but he is too afraid to say her name so he gives her initials V.S (which the reader knows is for Valencia). Kaori becomes very interested once she sees all the coincidences between the two, so she tells Virgil to collect 5 rocks and come back to see her on Saturday. The book goes on revealing that Valencia contacts Kaori about her dreams and that the bully, Chet, believes that Valencia is faking being deaf and is bothered by it. The book continues and reaches a peak when Chet the bully, throws Virgil's backpack into a well as he was collecting stones for his visit with Kaori. Inside Virgil's backpack was the guinea pig he didn't want to leave alone anymore, so Virgil went in after him. Virgil gets stuck in the well and the remainder of the book deals with Kaori recruiting Valencia, her new client to go find him. After hours of looking for Virgil, something clicks for Valencia and she realizes that she was where he is (the well) earlier. The girls find Virgil and he is able to return home. Virgil is now stronger, on his way home when Chet calls him names he stands up to him. The book ends with Valencia wondering why Kaori was talking about certain things she said would only make sense when they found Virgil. Kaori tells her she will know when the universe wants her to, and later she receives a message "hello" from who she knows already is Virgil.
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