A Corner of the Universe

Rating:
Summary: A Touching Story
Review: Ann M. Martin crafts a simple yet complex story of an eleven year old girl named Hattie Owen and her mentally challenged uncle, Adam Mercer. Hattie's innocence is charming. I enjoyed this book; I laughed, I cried, I gasped, I smiled. I would recommend this book to others, as I know they would appreciate it also.

Rating:
Summary: Important topics for teens and preteens and a good read.
Review: Hattie is a loner who prefers the company of her family's boarding home residents to the snickering insipidness of her classmates. When her Uncle-kept-secret, Adam, comes into her life, she finds him to be a challenging but worthy friend. She sees a joy in life through his eyes that she has never seen before and she learns a sense of responsibility and righteousness in situations where she would otherwise not have been challenged. His presence and his own personal mental challenges/illness give Hattie insight into her family members and the lives they lived before she existed. And while Hattie does find friendship with a like-aged young woman who proves that not all teens are insensitive and self-centered, it is Adam who helps her understand herself and the world a little better, even when some of the lessons are hard to learn.

While A Corner of the Universe is not a book that keeps the reader riveted at attention with action packed scenes of danger and fantasy, Hattie's growth as a character is exceptional and the treatment of difficult subject matter is handled with such skill that A Corner of the Universe is a wonderful read for any age.

Rating:
Summary: A Corner of the Universe
Review: I was forced to read this book in a language class last year, and i say that most people who were in that class share my thoughts that the person who wrote this book must have had a lot of spare time to kill. I, personally think that there was absolutely no point for this book to be written, and i definately could live without it. Probably my favorite part of this book was the end.

Rating:
Summary: Sure to stay with the reader long after the book is closed.
Review: Imagine learning about an uncle you never knew existed. In this 2002 Newbery Honor book, twelve-year-old Hattie Owen meets her Uncle Adam, a mentally disabled man who has been living in an institution that recently lost its funding.

During the summer of 1960, people were less likely to dissect family problems than today, the era of the talk show. Adam was a family secret, but Hattie learns to love him. She was planning a summer of trips to the library and ice cream, but now Adam comes with her. He is closer to her age mentally than most adults and has an endless enthusiasm for new experiences. Hattie loves to go to the carnival and is happy to bring Adam along. But she does not know how to handle Adam when he is out of control, such as when she finds him walking in his underwear through the neighborhood or when he disappears. He also becomes angry when he can't have his way.

Living with someone who is mentally disabled can be confusing at any age. Best-selling author Ann M. Martin of P.S. LONGER LETTER LATER (written with Paula Danziger) and the BABY-SITTERS CLUB series, does a wonderful job of showing the reader the joys and sadness of the experience, as seen through the eyes of likable teen Hattie.

Powerful characters and plot surprises will keep readers interested in this title --- and it is sure to stay with the reader long after the book is closed.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

Rating:
Summary: A Corner of the Universe
Review: ISBN: 0 - 439 - 38881 - 3
Pages: 189
The summer of 1960 changed everything in the life of Hattie Owen, a twelve year old girl who has always lived in her small town of Millerton. She has never known anything beyond her comfortable life at her family's boarding house, where she doesn't have to worry about anything. But when her unknown Uncle Adam, who she has never heard of, shows up to live with Hattie's Nana and Papa, because his school for the mentally disabled closed down Hattie is forced to face many new challenges in just one summer. Such as "babysitting Adam" and making new friends.
This was a wonderful book of friendship, courage and teaching. I liked how the author had many surprises throughout the book. I could not put it down! I recommend this book to kids and adults because it is a heartwarming book of true friendship.

Rating:
Summary: Lifting Corners
Review: The book A Corner Of The Universe was an excellent book. Hattie Owen goes through many life challenging experiences. Having Adam as her uncle makes it even more difficult. Hattie Owen makes new friends and looses them too. The author creates an interesting plot that keeps you reading. She also creates many aspects of the characters that others can relate to. I found there to be very little parts that I didn't understand because of the excellent writing the author used. Throughout this book good and bad things happen. People make new friends, meet new people, and discover their family secrets. Overall, I truly love this book, and would recommend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Forever imbedded in my memory
Review: This book holds a very special place in my heart. It should hold a special place in yours once you are done reading it. The characters were so well rounded that I did not want the book to end. I highly recommend this book. It is so touching and well written. I continue to think about this book and it has been weeks since I have read it. That is a true sign of a classic piece of writing! Absolutely touching to the heart and to the soul!

Rating:
Summary: Visit THIS Corner of the Universe
Review: Visit THIS Corner of the Universe

A Corner of the Universe is a book about a girl named Hattie Owen. She lives in her parent?s boarding house, along with Angel Valentine, Miss Hagerty, and Mr. Penny. Hattie is lives like a normal girl but is very shy and feels most comfortable in her own house with her own family. She lives a couple blocks down from her grandmother, who is well off and very controlling.
After her twelfth birthday, things start to turn a lot different from what she is use to. Her uncle, who lives in a medical home, comes to live with her grandparents unexpectedly. This confuses Hattie because she had no idea that her mother even had a brother. It seemed to her that everyone tried to keep Adam a secret and forget about him. So that very summer she becomes attached to him and seems almost break out of her shell. One of the surprising things that happened to her was a carnival came to her town. She went there several times and made her first true friend named, Catherine.
I really liked this book because it is an easy read and a very good plot. It is very similar to Ann Martin?s other books, which are equally good.
All in all, I rate this book 4 stars. The only things that I would change about this book, is to start the main story sooner. It starts out a little slow, but catches you in the end.