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A Corner of the Universe
Scholastic Canada Ltd.
ISBN 0-439-38881-3 PBK
ISBN 0-439-38880-5 HC
189 pages Ages 12 and up


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A Corner of the Universe

This summer, Hattie turns twelve. Her predictable, small town life is turned on end when her uncle Adam returns home for the first time in over ten years. Hattie has never met him, never known about him. He's been institutionalized; his condition involves schizophrenia and autism.

Hattie, a shy girl who prefers the company of adults, takes immediately to her excitable uncle, even when the rest of her family has trouble dealing with his intense way of seeing the world. And Adam, too, sees that Hattie is special, and that her quiet, shy ways are not a disability.


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Excerpt from A CORNER OF THE UNIVERSE
by Ann. M. Martin

On Thursday I try not to think about Adam. I take my walk into town. I paint with Dad in his studio. I lie on my bed and read a library book. I help Cookie in the kitchen. Finally I realize that I miss Adam. So I feel a happy flutter in my stomach when I hear him come whistling up our front walk late that afternoon. I run outside to meet him.

"Ho, ho, and good afternoon, Hattie," says Adam. He's all dressed up, wearing a too-small summer suit with a lime green bow tie and a broad black felt hat, so I think he's expecting to see Angel again. But he doesn't ask about her. Instead, he plops down in a porch chair, crosses one leg over the other, regards me seriously, and says, sounding as if we might be in a business meeting, "Very well. You shared one of your secrets with me, Hattie Owen. Now I'll share one of mine with you."

"Okay," I reply, trying to catch up with Adam. Sometimes I feel that he is miles ahead of me.

"Give me a date, Hattie, any date," says Adam.

"A date?"

"Yes. A month and a day and a year. January seventh in the year nineteen fifty-two, for example."

I think for a moment. Then I say, "Okay. September sixteenth, nineteen forty-one."

"Tuesday," says Adam promptly.

"What do you mean?"

"September sixteenth nineteen forty-one was a Tuesday."

"How do you know?"

"I just do. It's in my head."

"Are you sure you're right?"

"Positive. You can look the date up. Give me another one. A date you know." Well, I happen to know what day of the week Cookie was born on, so I give Adam Cookie's birth date.

"Saturday," says Adam.

"That's right!"

Adam is grinning like a Halloween pumpkin.

"You can really do this with any date at all?"

"Absotively."

"How come it's a secret?"

Adam leans forward and whispers loudly, "Because Mother says it's a circus trick and it's embarrassing and it must be kept in the family. The bosom of the family, I might add, although Mother didn't say that."

No, I can't imagine Nana saying "bosom" under any circumstances.

"So there you have it," says Adam, settling back in his chair and looking satisfied.

I have missed something. "What?" I say.

Adam's eyes grow unfocused. He glances away, then back to me, then away again. "My little corner of the universe," is all he will say.


From A Corner of the Universe. Copyright © 2002 by Ann M. Martin. All rights reserved.




Your Reviews

"What I thought, of this book was. . . that it was an amazing book full of reality, no fake stuff. It was all real and Hattie, the main character, sounds like a regular girl that most girls would be like."
Ravjeet B., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10

"A Corner of the Universe is a great book, I can't think of a word good enough to describe it- brilliant, exhilarating, enlivening, it is a truly electrifying and exciting book! TWO THUMBS UP!!!!!"
Natalie G., Age 12, Prince Edward Island, Rating: 10

"This book gives you life-long lessons that we shouldn't forget: that life is truly unfair and suprising but we all have to accept the road ahead because it is intended and will lead to many new and great things to learn. . . to get out of your own corner of the universe and enjoy life more."
Krista B., Age 13, U.S.A., Rating: 10

"A Corner of the Universe is inspirational and a heartwarming story. Hattie, a twelve-year-old, changes her idea about the mentally ill. She learns many lessons about life through her uncle Adam's point of view. This is a great story about friends, family, and the lessons of life."
Amanda P., Age 11, U.S.A., Rating: 10

"This is one of the best books I have ever read. It's filled with emotion and problems. A Corner of the Universe is awesome, but I think more girls would like this than boys."
Megan M., Age 12, U.S.A.

"I thought the book A Corner of the Universe was a very good book for children of my age. I liked this book because I liked the characters. They made the book interesting to read. The book also set a mood for me. When certain problems occurred in the book, I got feelings such as sadness or caring or sympathy. I think I would recommend this book to anyone. This book really taught me a lesson. . . To accept anyone no matter what they look like or if they are different from what you are used to."
Brianna M., Age 13, U.S.A., Rating: 9

"I cried and cried . . . it was so good! I've read it over and over again. I've recommended it to all of my friends. I'm so glad that I got it from the book fair!"
Miranda N., Age 10, U.S.A., Rating: 10

"A Corner of the Universe was by far the best book I’ve ever read. I have read a number of Ann M. Martin books, and by far this my favourite."
Casey S., Age 12, U.S.A., Rating: 10

"A Corner of the Universe is a great book. I really enjoyed reading it. At the end it was sad, but it was still a good book. Hattie really cared about Adam, and it was so sad for her at the end. I loved this book!!!"
Mariah B., Age 11, U.S.A., Rating: 6

"I read this book and it was outstanding!! It was the best book I have read this year. It made me cry."
Brianne M., Age 11, U.S.A., Rating: 10

"I thought this book was wonderful."
Heather P., Age 13, U.S.A.

"It was ahh-mazing! Seeing the struggles they had to go through with Adam was heartwarming. I absolutely loved it!"
Jenna Y., Age 11, U.S.A., Rating: 10

"I love this book! I think people should read this book. By that I mean parents and children, because it teaches a valuable lesson."
Jessica Y., Age 12, U.S.A., Rating: 8

"This book was truly an uplifting and inspiring book! The characters come to life as you read this novel. Anyone who has a great taste in books and is waiting for a true-to-life story to read, this is the one for you!"
Grah P., U.S.A., Rating: 10

"I love this book and hope that others will enjoy it too. My class and I read it out loud, and I thought it was great."
Taryn H., Age 14, U.S.A., Rating: 10

"I would recommend this book to mature readers. A Corner of the Universe talks about how Adam feels. And how it is like being him. I really enjoyed reading this book, and understanding about autism, and other mental problems, a little bit more. "
Bailey B., Age 11, U.S.A., Rating: 10



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