Summer 1960
Summer vacation has just started, and Hattie Owen has her regular routine. Her family runs a boardinghouse in the big house on Grant Avenue in the quiet town of Millerton. Her grandparents also live in Millerton, but they are very proper and wealthy.
One the first day of summer vacation, Hattie learns she has an uncle that her family has kept secret from her. Uncle Adam is only 21-years old and he's been away at school in Ohio since Hattie was 2-years old.
And then I wonder for the nine thousandth time that evening why I was never told about Adam. If he didn't have to come home now, would I ever have been told about him?
If a person is kept secret, is he real?
Hattie's 12th birthday is soon, and she doesn't feel like she has enough friends to have a party. She actually only has one friend, and she's away for the summer. Even though he hasn't been home for long, Hattie realizes that Uncle Adam pays attention to her.
"Hattie," he says at last, looking thoughtful, "I believe you are one of the people who can lift the corners of our universe."
A slow smile spreads across my face. I feel very flattered, even though I have absolutely no idea what Adam means by that.
Hattie spends a lot of time with Adam and she learns about his differences and his moods. She also learns how others react to Adam. They look at him like he's a freak.
I feel a little like Adam's baby-sitter, a little like his mother, not at all like his niece, and quite a bit like his friend.
The Fred Carmel's Funtime Carnival comes to Millerton and Hattie makes a friend, Leila Cahn. Adam and Leila throw a private, perfect birthday party for Hattie. Hattie's heart feels happy and full.
But Adam is different from everyone. His mood swings are vast and dangerous, and Hattie can't possible control him all of the time.
A Corner of the Universe is a delicious novel for young adults who are 11-years old and up. There are some situations, however, that would be difficult to explain to younger readers.
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars
*mild adult situations
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