A Corner of the Universe

October 13, 2003
Martin (Belle Teal
) and actress Ivey reach perfect emotional pitch on this recording of Martin's profoundly moving novel about a girl's conflicted relationship with a relative who suffers from a mental illness. The summer that Hattie turns 12 is a swirl of change. Already shy and trying to find a good fit in her own skin, Hattie meets for the first time her mentally ill Uncle Adam—a family member she never knew existed because he's been hospitalized for years. Adam stays with his parents, Hattie's grandparents, for the summer while they attempt to find a new care facility for him. Hattie soon believes that she and Adam are kindred spirits and she grows to treasure his company, even though the townsfolk treat Adam like a freak. When two dramatic events prove devastating for Adam, Hattie faces some of the darkest yet also illuminating days of her young life. All through this heartfelt work, Ivey keeps her tone slightly matter-of-fact and even light, painting Hattie's journey as one of discovery and blossoming compassion rather than sad introspection or anger. Her depiction of Adam, capturing a fast pace sometimes suggesting Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man
, commendably refrains from going over the top. A brief author's note provides listeners with Martin's personal connections to (and also differences from) the characters and events in the book. Ages 12-up.

January 1, 2004
Gr 5-8-Twelve-year-old Hattie Owen's life changes forever when a hitherto unknown mentally disabled uncle returns to live with her grandparents in the small town that comprises Hattie's entire world in this novel by Ann M. Martin (Scholastic, 2002). From their first meeting it's clear that Adam sees life much differently and expresses emotions more intensely than is "normal" or comfortable for his aging and controlling parents. His outlandish antics, unexpected outbursts, and emotional vulnerability make him an appealing, yet challenging person whose tendency to ask questions that others might prefer be left unvoiced creates both humorous and uncomfortable situations. Judith Ivey's soft-spoken yet impassioned narration perfectly captures Hattie's desire to help her uncle navigate the raging currents of his feelings as well as her fear that his problems may someday surface in her own personality. Hattie's longing for things to remain the same and her fear of the world beyond her neighborhood conflict with her tentative efforts to make new friends. Ivey effectively uses this tension to draw listeners ever deeper into Hattie's world, providing a thoroughly satisfying and thought-provoking auditory experience.-Cindy Lombardo, Orrville Public Library, OH

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 5, 2004
A 12-year-old girl had been anticipating a summer as comfortably uneventful as all the others—until her uncle with "mental problems" makes a surprise entrance, turning everything upside-down. "Hearts will go out to both as they step outside the confines of their familiar world to meet some painful challenges," wrote PW
in a starred review. Ages 12-up.

Starred review from July 22, 2002
Martin (Belle Teal; the Baby-Sitters Club series) hints at a life-changing event from the first paragraph of this novel narrated by a perceptive and compassionate 12-year-old, and set in the summer of 1960. Hattie Owen had been anticipating a summer as comfortably uneventful as all the others ("I just want things all safe and familiar," she admits), helping her mother run their boarding house, painting alongside her artist father and reading "piles" of books. Then Uncle Adam (whom Hattie never knew existed) makes a surprise entrance, turning everything upside-down. Hattie's mother says that Uncle Adam has "mental problems." Hattie's grandparents act embarrassed whenever he is around, and her peers laugh at him. The author authentically conveys the ripples Adam sends through this small town. The heroine is continually amazed by his outlandish antics, moved by his sudden mood changes and secretly wonders if she and Adam might be kindred spirits. Hattie finds adventure and tragedy as well as enlightenment as she "lifts the corners of universe" in order to better understand Adam. With characteristic tenderness and wisdom, the author portrays the complex relationship between the sympathetic heroine and her uncle ("I feel a little like his baby-sitter, a little like his mother, not at all like his niece, and quite a bit like his friend"). Readers will relate to Hattie's fear of being as "different" as Adam, and will admire her willingness to befriend an outcast. Hearts will go out to both Hattie and Adam as they step outside the confines of their familiar world to meet some painful challenges. Ages 12-up.