A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin

A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin Book Review by: Allison Cavallaro

Bibliographic Data  Title: A Corner of the Universe  Author: Ann M. Martin  ISBN-13: 9780439388818  Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.  Publication date: 1/1/2004  Format: Mass Market Paperback  Pages: 208  Age range: 8 - 12 Years  Awards: Newbery Honor 2003 Summary Hattie Owen is an 11 year old girl, almost 12, growing up in quiet Millerton. After saying goodbye to her best friend Betsy in the beginning of the summer, she is left to reading her books and helping her parents with their boardinghouse. That is, until she discovers her mother has another brother, Adam. Uncle Adam has been away at school for most of his life and left out of conversations due to his mental illness that makes him unique. Hattie’s grandparents, live for wealth, manners and perfection which Uncle Adam is none of. After forming a special bond neither of their summer will go as planned especially when Fred Carmel’s Funtime Carnival come to town. Book Review A Corner of the Universe is an exciting, upbeat story. All the characters in the book are one of a kind and interesting to read about. Uncle Adam is a unique character that is cheerful and fast paced. He is obsessed with the show I Love Lucy and can recite just about any line from it. Hattie is a quiet girl with not many friends. Her summer was meant to be relaxing until Uncle Adam came along. Together they have many adventures and are able to be themselves around each other. With all the pressure that Nana puts on them to be perfect, the two of them are able to let loose around each other. I really love how the character of Hattie did not look at Uncle Adam as different because of his mental illness. She didn’t let that define him and stuck up for him when people put him down. I really enjoyed reading this story when I was in sixth grade because I always wanted to know what happened next. My teacher read it to the class and everyone would beg her to keep reading. The only down side about this book is the ending. It may not be age appropriate for any students below the sixth grade. When my teacher first read it to us she cut out some parts at the end. It wasn’t until I read it on my own that I discovered what really happened to Adam. I would recommend everyone to read this book. Literary Element Analysis: Theme I believe that a reoccurring theme in A Corner of the Universe is living life to its fullest. Overall Uncle Adam is a happy, joyful, loving, cheerful person. He always wants to make people feel good and appreciate life. He is constantly saying what a wonderful day it is and laughing. He truly appreciates the life he was given even though other people like his mother didn’t understand him. Once Hattie and him formed a relationship he would always tell her that he was trying to lift the corners of her universe. In the end when he dies, it just shows how life is too short and even though he had struggles he was a happy, positive person. While reading this story I couldn’t help but smile when Adam was talking or ranting on about I Love Lucy or saying “Oh, ho, ho!”. I think his energy was contagious to Hattie and he truly had an impact on her life. Author’s Biography Ann M. Martin was born on August 12, 1955 in Princeton, New Jersey. She attended Smith College and graduated with a B.A. in Elementary Education and Psychology. She went on to teach for a little bit but then became children’s books editor. Now she is a full-time writer and basis some of the characters off people she knows. She wrote the famously known series The Baby-sitters Club which started in 1986. After ending the series in 2000, she wrote A Corner of the Universe which was awarded the Newbery Honor and a prequel to The Baby- sitters Club called The Summer Before. She currently lives in upstate New York with her dog and three cats. Related Links http://www.slimekids.com/book-trailers/zero-four/two/a-corner-of-the- universe.html This is a link to a book trailer of A Corner of the Universe. http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/corner-universe-discussion-guide This is a link to a teacher’s guide for using this book in the classroom.