This is a charming slice-of-life audiobook told through short chapters and interconnected stories of Marisol’s summer. Eight-year-old Marisol loves silent films; her cat, Beans; and her best friend, Jada. But Marisol also gets nervous easily and worries about things like climbing Peppina, the tree in her backyard, and encountering the mean girl at school. Though the text is just right for beginning independent readers, Amielynn Abellera’s evocative narration adds to the story, making it a great listen for those of all ages. Abellera excels at giving a distinct voice to each character, including the various objects and animals Marisol interacts with. Listeners are sure to enjoy their time with Marisol. Thanks to Abellera’s humor and heart, this is an audiobook to savor. S.B.T. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

03/15/2021

Marisol Rainey, an anxious eight-year-old who calms herself by watching silent films, lives in Louisiana with her teacher mother, who is Filipino; her white father, who works on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico; and her 12-year-old brother, Oz, a video game fanatic. As she does for most inanimate objects, Marisol has given the perfect climbing tree in their new home’s backyard a name: Peppina. Though her best friend, Jada, who has dark skin and curly hair, makes climbing the large magnolia look easy, Marisol grows frustrated by the fear that keeps Marisol from mounting Peppina’s branches. Infusing her protagonist with a number of endearing quirks—naming household objects and “rescuing” stuffed animals from a local claw machine—Newbery Medalist Kelly once again shows a knack for capturing a childlike perspective as Marisol navigates her feelings: avoiding a school bully and navigating her identity, finding the courage to ride her bike past a frightening dog, and debating whether to admit her fears to Jada. There is no calamitous “do-or-die” moment that forces Marisol to confront her fear; instead, Kelly lets Marisol ease her way through it, in the process offering a clear message about doing things in one’s own time. Final art, by the author, not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. (May)

Erin Entrada Kelly is supremely perceptive, as always, and Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey is utterly endearing! Anyone who has ever felt shy or shaky will find a soul mate and an inspiration in Marisol.” — Annie Barrows, New York Times–bestselling author of the Ivy + Bean books

“Hilarious and heart-melting—Marisol charmed me! More, please.” — Sara Pennypacker, New York Times-bestselling author of Pax

“From the author of the Newbery Award–winning Hello, Universe, this perceptive story focuses on Marisol, an imaginative Filipina American girl . . . The first volume in the Maybe Marisol series is an immediately engaging and ultimately rewarding choice for readers moving up to chapter books.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Marisol is a young Filipina living in Louisiana, while also residing in her own little world. She notices things that most people would overlook . . . Endearing, relatable Marisol is also plagued by anxieties of all sorts. This story contains adorable yet thought-provoking conversations . . . A great read for upper elementary children. With occasional, whimsical illustrations, it will keep even the most reluctant readers entertained.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“Kelly reaches out to a younger audience in an approachable chapter book about thoughtful worrier Marisol. . . . She can’t imagine what it feels like to give a book report without quaking, or to visit her extended family in the Philippines—much less what it would feel like to be brave enough to climb the tree. . . . The story’s tension is built from the skillful accumulation of small moments and the strong character development. Frequent delightfully quirky line drawings by the author add humor and personality.” — Horn Book (starred review)

“A book of truths, witty insights and metaphors, and — for the first time — Kelly’s own illustrations, which are lightheartedly poignant.” — New York Times

“A sweet story of a girl trying to overcome her fears and anxieties. Marisol’s story also touches on friendship, bullies, siblings, having a parent who lives away from home, and having a parent from another country. . . . There’s no maybe about it; readers will enjoy this charming story.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Newbery Medalist Kelly once again shows a knack for capturing a childlike perspective as Marisol navigates her feelings: avoiding a school bully and navigating her identity, finding the courage to ride her bike past a frightening dog, and debating whether to admit her fears . . . There is no calamitous “do-or-die” moment that forces Marisol to confront her fear; instead, Kelly lets Marisol ease her way through it, in the process offering a clear message about doing things in one’s own time.” — Publishers Weekly

“Marisol worries about a lot of things, and she also worries that she worries so much . . . Kelly offers a compassionate portrait of an anxious kid, and Marisol’s inner dialogue—and particularly her inner criticism—will likely ring true for any kid who’s been accused of being too sensitive.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“A delightful, relatable story about friendship and courage . . . Anyone who has ever had trouble feeling brave will be empowered by Marisol.” — NBC News

Hilarious and heart-melting—Marisol charmed me! More, please.

A book of truths, witty insights and metaphors, and — for the first time — Kelly’s own illustrations, which are lightheartedly poignant.

From the author of the Newbery Award–winning Hello, Universe, this perceptive story focuses on Marisol, an imaginative Filipina American girl . . . The first volume in the Maybe Marisol series is an immediately engaging and ultimately rewarding choice for readers moving up to chapter books.

Kelly reaches out to a younger audience in an approachable chapter book about thoughtful worrier Marisol. . . . She can’t imagine what it feels like to give a book report without quaking, or to visit her extended family in the Philippines—much less what it would feel like to be brave enough to climb the tree. . . . The story’s tension is built from the skillful accumulation of small moments and the strong character development. Frequent delightfully quirky line drawings by the author add humor and personality.

A delightful, relatable story about friendship and courage . . . Anyone who has ever had trouble feeling brave will be empowered by Marisol.

Erin Entrada Kelly is supremely perceptive, as always, and Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey is utterly endearing! Anyone who has ever felt shy or shaky will find a soul mate and an inspiration in Marisol.

Marisol worries about a lot of things, and she also worries that she worries so much . . . Kelly offers a compassionate portrait of an anxious kid, and Marisol’s inner dialogue—and particularly her inner criticism—will likely ring true for any kid who’s been accused of being too sensitive.

Marisol worries about a lot of things, and she also worries that she worries so much . . . Kelly offers a compassionate portrait of an anxious kid, and Marisol’s inner dialogue—and particularly her inner criticism—will likely ring true for any kid who’s been accused of being too sensitive.

★ 04/01/2021

Gr 3–7—"That's the thing about best friends. They don't care about all the things you can't do:" wise words from a timid adolescent girl. Marisol is a young Filipina living in Louisiana, while also residing in her own little world. She notices things that most people would overlook, like the sights and sounds from a refrigerator. With a fascination with silent movies and a habit of assigning names to everything (even inanimate objects), endearing, relatable Marisol is also plagued by anxieties of all sorts. This story contains adorable yet thought-provoking conversations between friends, allowing for readers to feel as though they have been transported into the imagination of the main character. The main antagonist in the story is a bully of sorts, and causes grief for Marisol. Readers will be rooting for the main character, Marisol, throughout the story, as well as her kind best friend Jana. VERDICT This title is a great read for upper elementary children. With occasional, whimsical illustrations, it will keep even the most reluctant readers entertained.—Megan Honeycutt, Univ. of West Georgia, Carrollton

This is a charming slice-of-life audiobook told through short chapters and interconnected stories of Marisol’s summer. Eight-year-old Marisol loves silent films; her cat, Beans; and her best friend, Jada. But Marisol also gets nervous easily and worries about things like climbing Peppina, the tree in her backyard, and encountering the mean girl at school. Though the text is just right for beginning independent readers, Amielynn Abellera’s evocative narration adds to the story, making it a great listen for those of all ages. Abellera excels at giving a distinct voice to each character, including the various objects and animals Marisol interacts with. Listeners are sure to enjoy their time with Marisol. Thanks to Abellera’s humor and heart, this is an audiobook to savor. S.B.T. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

2021-03-17
Marisol spends her summer mulling over climbing a tree.

In Marisol Rainey’s Louisiana backyard stands a magnolia tree that she has named Peppina. (Believing that “all important things…should have their own names,” she’s given names to appliances, furniture, and the family car, too.) The tree is perfect for climbing, and everyone loves Peppina. Everyone except Marisol, that is, who is afraid of falling. She has a big imagination, which often causes her to get lost in the what ifs. Marisol spends the summer days with her best friend, Jada, playing and making movies. Jada loves to climb Peppina, and maybe, just maybe, this will be the summer Marisol finds the courage to climb Peppina too. Narrated in third person, present tense, this is a sweet story of a girl trying to overcome her fears and anxieties. Marisol’s story also touches on friendship, bullies, siblings, having a parent who lives away from home (her dad works on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico), and having a parent from another country. Her story is an expression of daily life and feelings that many children will find familiar. The short chapters help move the quiet story along, as do the amusing black-and-white illustrations sprinkled throughout. Fans of Ivy + Bean will enjoy Marisol’s story. Marisol is biracial, with her Filipina mom’s dark hair and eyes; her dad presents White. Jada presents Black.

There’s no maybe about it; readers will enjoy this charming story. (Fiction. 6-9)