Haverford resident Erin Entrada Kelly, an author of children’s books, has been honored with the 2018 John Newbery Medal by the Association for Library Service to Children for her book Hello, Universe, writes Lisa Dukart for Main Line Today.

“It’s one of those things you daydream about, but you don’t actually think it’s ever going to happen,” said Entrada Kelly, who teaches at Rosemont College.

The book, which is aimed at children ages 8-12, offers four distinct perspectives. The shy Virgil wants to befriend the deaf Valencia – only he doesn’t know how, so he seeks the help of Kaori, who has psychic powers. True to his bully archetype, Chet pulls a prank on Virgil that causes all of their universes to collide over the course of one day.

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Bullying and diversity are familiar topics for Entrada Kelly, who hails from Louisiana and is part-Filipino.

“I was one of the only kids in my school to have an immigrant parent, and I was certainly the only Filipino and/or Asian in my school,” Entrada Kelly said. “It’s so incredibly important – especially for young people – to see themselves represented, because it validates their stories. I never saw myself in books.”

Read more about Erin Entrada Kelly in Main Line Today by clicking here.

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