Is There A Hello Universe Sequel Planned By The Author?

Universe' for a while, so I dug through interviews, the author's social posts, and bookstore chatter to get a feel for whether there’s a sequel coming. From what I can tell, there hasn’t been an official sequel announced. The book feels crafted as a satisfying standalone—its arcs wrap up in a way that leaves the core story complete—so it doesn’t scream for a follow-up the way some series do. That said, authors sometimes return to beloved characters years later, whether in short stories, companion novels, or surprise sequels, so nothing is impossible.

If you’re hoping for more, there are a few realistic paths it might take: a direct continuation following the same kids a year or two later, a spin-off focused on a secondary character’s perspective, or even an entirely new book that shares themes and tone rather than plot. Publishers and authors often wait to see sustained demand or find the right creative spark before committing. I also like to watch book award cycles and school reading lists—if interest stays high, the chances of revisiting those characters go up.

Personally, I’d be thrilled to revisit those friendships and the small-town quirks that made 'Hello, Universe' feel so warm. For now I’ll keep checking the author’s official channels and enjoy rereads, but I wouldn’t rule out a surprise down the line—fingers crossed, honestly.

Practical viewpoint: publishers typically announce sequels through official channels, and from everything posted publicly so far, there’s no confirmed sequel to 'Hello, Universe'. I track book news a lot and new projects usually pop up as blurbs on author websites, newsletter updates, or publisher catalogs. When nothing shows up there, the safest assumption is that nothing is formally planned.

Still, the landscape of middle-grade publishing is quirky. Authors sometimes write companion books rather than numbered sequels, or they might revisit themes or characters in later standalone novels. Fan demand can absolutely influence decisions—librarians and teachers requesting more stories from the same world can move the needle. If you're eager for more, checking the author’s newsletter or social feeds is the most direct way to catch an announcement the moment it happens.

I personally enjoy imagining what a follow-up might look like—a quieter, character-driven slice-of-life that leans into the friendships and small revelations. For now, I’m content revisiting the original and keeping an eye out for any future news.

I checked around and, from where I’m standing, there is no announced sequel to 'Hello, Universe'. That doesn’t mean one will never happen — authors sometimes come back to beloved characters after years, and publishing news can pop up unexpectedly — but as it stands there’s no public commitment or scheduled follow-up. I usually pay attention to author interviews and publisher news; Erin Entrada Kelly has written other distinct stories rather than launching a sequel series, which suggests she prefers exploring new places and voices between projects.

For readers, that means savoring the original while keeping an eye on official channels if you want breaking news. Personally, I’d be thrilled to see a gentle continuation that expands the friendships and family arcs, but I also appreciate a book that stands well on its own. Either way, the characters still feel alive to me whenever I think about them.

On a more playful note, I daydream about a sequel every time I pass the shelf where 'Hello, Universe' sits. No official sequel has been declared, based on the public announcements and what the author has shared. That said, the door isn’t slammed shut—creative folks come back to characters all the time when inspiration strikes.

If there were a sequel, I’d love it to be a soft, character-focused return: more of the same warmth, a few new challenges, and that mix of humor and heart that makes the original so memorable. Even without an announcement, it’s fun to speculate and imagine the ways those kids might grow. Personally, I’d buy it day one and read it in a single, happy sitting.

Good question — and I’ve been tracking this a little because 'Hello, Universe' is one of those books that sticks with you. As of mid-2024 there hasn’t been an official sequel announced by Erin Entrada Kelly. She won the Newbery Medal for 'Hello, Universe', which put that book on a lot of radars, and while she’s published other works and kept writing in different directions, she hasn’t publicly committed to continuing Virgil, Valencia, Kaori, and Chet in a direct sequel. Publishers and authors sometimes keep plans quiet until contracts are signed, but there haven’t been press releases, publisher blurbs, or posts from her official channels promising a follow-up novel.

I tend to read author timelines and interviews when I’m hungry for news, and from what I’ve seen Erin has explored standalone stories and new settings rather than sequel-focused series. That fits a pattern I love: authors who let a middle-grade novel breathe on its own and then create fresh worlds or themes elsewhere. Still, 'Hello, Universe' has characters and emotional threads that feel sequel-ready — friendship dynamics, family challenges, identity growth — so it wouldn’t surprise me if she revisited them someday, whether in a direct sequel, a short story, or an occasional tie-in. Publishers also sometimes release companion novellas or short pieces for school anthologies or magazines, so fans shouldn’t rule out smaller returns to those characters.

If you want the honest fan opinion, I’d love a sequel that keeps the novel’s gentle humor and sharp compassion — maybe a story where the group faces a bigger community challenge or deeper family changes that test how they’ve grown. But I also respect a complete, self-contained story. For now, I’m enjoying rereads and fan conversations imagining where everyone could be, and I’ll cheer if Erin decides to write more from that corner of her imagination. Either way, the book still lands the feels for me.