Book Review: You're Welcome, Universe

Books with greetings to the universe are getting attention from the folks at the American Library Association. "You're Welcome, Universe," by Whitney Gardner is the 2018 Schneider Family Book Award winner in the teen category. The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.

In "You're Welcome, Universe," Julia is attending a new high school after being kicked out of her previous school for the deaf.  She is dealing with a fall out with her best friend, Jordyn, who is now dating Donovan, the boy Julia likes. Worse yet, she has to work with both of them at McDonald's, and see Donovan whisper in Jordyn's ear, now able to hear after getting a cochlear implant.

Julia is Deaf, and proud of it. She is also a graphic artist who loves the thrill of bombing a space. Her story brings color to the world of graffiti art and exposes realities of being Deaf among the hearing.