A Corner of the Universe

Worth Reading

This is another book by Ann M. Martin that I read when I was in about 6th grade. It's really good and teaches you to love others even though they're different from you. Great young adult book!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

A corner of the universe.

This was a very emotional book, but not a Romance book. This book made a big impression on me, and really changed my outlook. It is the kind of book that will make readers everywhere not want to put it down. It is about a young girl, Addie trying to put up with her mentally challenged uncle. This was a amazing, fantastic, stupendous book. You will not regret reading this book. And as Addie said, "I think we should know that Adam was one of those people who lift the corners of our universe." I think we should all know, remember, and see the people who make a difference in the world.

-Carolyn Fogleman
Age 12

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

This was a great book! I loved it! sad and happy and very descriptive! read it! read it! read it!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Mental Disorders and Boarding Houses

Ann M. Martin, author of A Corner of the Universe (Scholastic, Inc.; New York, NY; 2002) does an excellent job of bringing humor to the pages of this novel. It is just entertaining enough to capture and keep the reader¿s attention and interest. This book is easy to relate to and easy to read, especially on a rainy day. The diverse characters are easy to love and enjoy.

Hattie Owen is an only child whose parents own and run a boarding house in a small town with not much going on. Hattie lives a very unchanging life and likes it; she is best friends with all of their boarders: Mr. Penny, a retired clock-repairer with a room filled with coo-coo clocks; Miss Hagerty, a primped old woman who only allows Hattie to see her without her make-up on; and Angel Valentine, a young bachelorette with a mysterious boyfriend.

The summer Hattie turns 12, her whole world turns up-side-down.She finds out she has an uncle of whom she never even knew existed; he is her mother¿s brother and his name is Adam. Hattie can¿t figure out why her family, grandparents included, are acting so strange about Adam¿s return. When he finally comes into Hattie¿s little world, she realizes that he is different. His behavior is very odd; for example, he responds to serious situations inappropriately by giggling uncontrollably. Adam also comes up with lines from I Love Lucy for any situation at any time, and then he cracks up about it.

At first, Hattie doesn¿t really know what to think about her newly ¿discovered¿ uncle and his peculiar behavior. However, Hattie quickly falls in love with his fun-loving attitude and eccentric way of thinking. Furthermore, Adam just adores his niece Hattie and so eventually they are inseparable. Hattie tries to include Adam in on almost everything their family does, eventhough her family doesn't approve. After a while, she gets frustrated that no one can see Adam the same way she does. Everyone thinks she is just overreacting until one day, Adam ends up missing.

A Corner of the Universe is a perfect book for young adults that are ready to hang on to their seat. Martin¿s flavorful book of mental disorders and boarding houses is exciting, yet sentimental at the same time. The characters are easy to love and relate to. Uncle Adam¿s humor and spontaneity is worth every minute of reading this novel.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pretty Good Book, A Page Turner

In the novel, A Corner Of The Universe by Ann M. Martin, I learned that imperfection is beauty. Adam changed things up, didn't immitate or follow his overly proper parents. I learned that lifting the corners of the universe means stepping outside of the box and forming your own view on things. I learned how fast your worlds can change. How your view on things can go from good to grim. One of the main characters, Adam, has taught me that there should be no problem being different and outgoing. Reading this book taught me how fast tables will turn no matter how great things will get. When things are going at its best and you have no worry in the world, one small thing could possibly ruin the rest of your day. I see this book as a life lesson. A lesson that has taught me that it is okay to be different, its okay to color outside the lines. The "burst-out" key character of the story would have to be Adam. All the other characters are fairly predictable. Adam's mother, referred to as "Nana", taught me something as well, even if I didn't agree with most of her actions in the story. Nana taught me that its normal to cry and that even the people made of the hardest rock can let out a few tears past the cheek every once in awhile. Reading this encouraged myself to become a better person and to make a difference in this world or as Adam says, "lifting the corners of the universe." I love how Adam is not ashamed of who he is and doesn't care about the actions he makes in public. Adam Mercer is a symbol of life.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

My New Favorite :)

This is probably one of the best books I ever read, and sort of changed my view of things. Although towards the ending it is a bit sad, (you might even jerk a tear) but I recommend this book to everyone (even adults).

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

the best

so touching be ready to cry

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Love, love, love

My 6th grade teacher read this book to the class after we came in from recess as a way to regroup and calm down. I loved the way she read it to us and can still hear her voice when I reread this book. It was a great story about a boy who is different than the world he comes from. I hope to read this to my classes one day when I become a teacher. I highly recommend.

Excellent Theme

A very good book with a very good theme. Very good as a summer read for 5th - 8th graders.

Oh So Touching

Pros: Keeps you Thinking, Never Want to Put it DownCons: NoneI'm usually the one you would find reading the magical, mystery, and unhappy, but I made a deal with my mom that I would read a happy book. The cover looked cute so I checked it out and thank goodness I did! The story wasn't very happy, but it had a great meaning. I cried and cried it was just touched my life so much. I couldn't put it down and had to figure out what happend next. The relationships between the characters was fantastic and the thoughts of the girl was wonderful! I believe this is a must read before you die book!

Happy Feet

This book is over all amazing. It is a mysterious, heart wrenching, story that people can relate to. Pretty much anyone can relate to it for many reasons. There are parts where things are kinda slow but once youh get the jist of whats ging on u can"t seem to pry ur eyes away from the intensity. This story may even be strong enough to teach the reader a lesson or two. I strongly recommend this story to everyone. It is one of those novels that u just can't seem to take off ur mind and want to read over and over again.

You have to read this book!

This is a great book for 6th and 7th grade students. It has a valuable lesson in it- to accept people for their differences!

great book

this is one of those books where the characters and the story stay with you. it has an amazing story i promise you can easily read this in one day you will love it so much!

love it

sick book , read it

Amazing story of love, adventure, and lose

During the summer that Hattie Owens turns 12, her world is shifted. She learns about her new uncle, Adam, that had been sent away to a special school by his parents. (Hattie's Grandparents)The school, an institution for the mentally disabled is closing so Adam has to now be in the care of his family. Hattie picks up that Adam is clearly unwanted by his own family. Instead of being an Uncle, Hattie sees Adam more as being a little brother. She takes on the responsibility of being there for Adam. The family lives in a small town and owns a boarding house. Adam is in love with the newest and youngest resident in the house when he starts fantasizing a relationship between them he realizes that being accepted and normality is nowhere near him. I really like how the book kept you reading. It has many different points in the book where it makes it extremely hard to put the book down. One thing I didn't like as much is the book had basic vocabulary. It is more of a fun than challenging book. "A Corner of The Universe" is a story about not judging from the outside but who the person is in the inside. I recommend this page turning love, adventure and lose book to everyone.

One word... AMAZING!

I love this book so much. I read it about a week ago and I wish that there could be a sequel to it i loved it so much!!! I recommend it for people who like to cry at books. Phenomenal.

A Perfect Book!

Posted September 1, 2010, 6:49 PM EST: "A Corner of the Universe" by Ann M. Martin is one of the best books that I have ever read. The book is about a 12 year-old girl named Hattie who meets her uncle Adam. Although Adam has mental problems and sometimes acts like a child, Hattie learns to accept him and treats him like a normal adult. This book taught me that sometimes people may be different than others, but inside that person may be just like any regular person. Adam had his share of problems, but inside he was a normal adult who just had a little more fun, and who acted a bit different. I would recommend this book to my friends because it teaches you many useful lessons. This book teaches you to accept other people and to not make fun of people that are different than you. I liked the book, because many girls my age can relate to Hattie and they can learn from her experiences. I believe that Ann M. Martin has a wonderful style of writing because her books are meaningful, but they can be humorous.
I would also like to read "Missing Since Monday" and "With You and Without You" which are also by Ann M. Martin. I believe that these books might also appeal to me, just like "A Corner of the Universe" did. In conclusion I would like to say that "A Corner of the Universe" was a spell-binding book that kept me reading until I finished the book. Hopefully other readers will enjoy the book as much as I did!

dont just things by appearences! =)

I think that the book A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin is a very good book and it teaches people of all ages a great life lesson. It shows people to not judge anything by looks or actions. It is about a girl named Hattie and her mother and father, who live in a boarding house which they own, and she is hopelessly confused to find about her uncle Adam who has some mental problems. She assumes that she will strongly dislike him and they will not be friends what so ever, but you never know what can happen in life. Read this book and find out how their relationship turns out..

Original

The characters in this story seemed so real, I felt as if I were in the book with them.

M little corner of the universe

THIS BOOK THOGTH ME HOW TO APPRCIATE LIFE AND EVERYTHING AROUND LIFE AND HOW I AM. This book is about Hattie Owen and Adam his new uncle that has mental problems throught the book Hattie learns tha thers much to discover about her uncle he has a brilliant mind full of poetry and bad but the mind of a normal human being that want's to be treaten the same way as any ordinary human being in the planet .