I have just read a book about the time when I was a child: the 1950's. As I read "A Corner of the Universe", by Ann M. Martin, I found myself reflecting on the many things and events that were part of that time in my life that I'd forgotten. My memory was jarred when the book's heroine, Hattie Owen, mentioned the garter belts that held up nylons, or the cold Popsicles eaten on hot, sultry days, or the small carnivals that came to town and stayed for several weeks. Just reading about the carnival makes me long for those long, lazy sunny days. And, of course, I must mention "I Love Lucy", since one of the main characters in the book recites many, many dialogues memorized from this classic television sitcom.
Hattie Owen is about to turn 12 and discovers that she has an uncle. She doesn't understand why she has never been told about Uncle Adam either by her parents, or grandparents who live close by, but she is about to meet a most interesting 21 year old. Adam has been living in another state in a special school that just closed and is coming home to live until her grandparents find another school for him. As soon as you meet Adam, it becomes apparent that he has some problems talking to and being around people. The reader never really finds out what Adam has and I think it's because the medical knowledge of his condition was a bit vague at the time. The only mention of what he might have is when you read Hattie's father mentioning that "Some...(of the doctors)... thought he was schizophrenic or autistic."
The story is built around Adam, and the events and complexities of how Hattie deals with, and eventually befriends, this "different" young man. Hattie has no young friends to enjoy for the summer. Her best friend in this small town has left for the summer so she finds solace and comfort in reading and visiting with the adults that live in her parents' boarding school. But Adam's arrival brings about a new element in her life, one that she had never experienced before: compassion. She truly cares for Adam who is completely unpredictable with his personality. She never knows if Adam is going to become agitated, angry, loud, upset, or in the case of being stuck at the top of the Ferris Wheel, hysterical. But through all of this, she is learning how to cope with him and help settle him down.
I love the analogies you can derive from the title. Adam mentioned to Hattie that "you are one of the people who can lift the corners of our universe." The title is mentioned several more times and can be understood in many different ways. The author explains her powerful message of this simple phrase in the last chapter but there are many more hidden meanings the reader can obtain from the title. Ms. Martin has a picture of a Ferris Wheel on the cover of the book. This is, of course, where Adam has a terrible experience. But the Ferris Wheel can become a symbol of sorts because of its continual rotation even though you can always get off.
Even though there are some difficult situations that Hattie is presented with, along with the underlying messages, this book is a relatively easy read for 12 and up. It's this year's Newbery Honor book.
"Hello World! Greetings in 42 Languages Around the Globe!", by Manya Stojic, is a delightful picture book that will enlighten and unify youngsters everywhere by making them feel similar, yet individually different. Ms. Stojic has masterfully illustrated a picture of a child's face that fills every page. Each face is different according to the geographical location where the child lives. The page has a bright, vibrant face glowing with smiles. And along with the child's face is one large word saying hello in that child's language. Underneath each "hello", are pronunciation aids for the word. The author has written in the corner of each page, the country the child hails from.
The book has such a simple message, yet so powerful! I'm even amazed that in many instances Ms. Stojic has managed to paint a piece of clothing that befits the country. And, of course, the hair and skin tone is another give-away of where the child is from. Some are blond with pale skin, some are brown with dark skin, some are curly and wear hats - but all are children. And this is what makes this book so powerful: children can be from different places and look different, but they are all children. They all smile and say "Hello".