SEPTEMBER 2022 - AudioFile
Narrator Amielynn Abellera creates a strong voice for young Marisol, who wants nothing more than to be successful at a sport despite her awkwardness. It seems like everyone else has athletic talent, including her soccer star brother, Oz. When the first couple days of the kickball unit in gym class don’t go well, she and her best friend, Jada, become more determined than ever to excel at it. Abellera captures Marisol’s passion as she establishes her goals and works towards them with the help of her family and friends. Listeners will enjoy getting to know Marisol and will cheer her on during her moment to shine. M.D. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
[Marisol] makes lists of favorite and least favorite things, with gym class—specifically the kickball unit—topping the latter. . . . Kelly shows her deep understanding of the emotional lives of her characters. . . . The action takes place over two weeks, during which Marisol tries a variety of techniques to first avoid and then overcome (at least a little) her fears. . . . A lively, realistic, and emotionally honest story.” — Horn Book (starred review)
“Erin Entrada Kelly tells the sweet story of a girl who is afraid of taking risks in this delightful stand-alone follow-up to Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey. . . . When Coach Decker announces that they're going to learn how to play kickball for the next two weeks, Marisol feels unsettled. . . . Newbery Medalist Entrada Kelly tells the compassionate story of a girl who is afraid of taking risks. . . . Entrada Kelly delicately covers topics of friendship, self-esteem, and perseverance through difficult and uncomfortable situations. Surely Surely Marisol Rainey is an excellent book.” — Shelf Awareness (starred review)
“Both Marisol and Jada, her best friend, keep lists of their favorite and least favorite things. Topping each girl’s ‘Least Favorite Things to Do’ list is gym class. . . . An engaging choice for independent readers or for teachers reading aloud to their classes.” — Booklist
“Gym class is Marisol’s least favorite thing. She’s not great at sports, but for once, she’d like to hear ‘Way to go, Marisol!’ rather than ‘Nice try, Marisol!’ or ‘Great effort, Marisol!’ When their gym teacher announces that they’ll be doing a unit on kickball, Marisol and her best friend, Jada, get nervous. . . . But with some helpful ideas and advice from her friends and family, Marisol eventually faces kickball with fewer worries and a little more confidence. . . . A charming, delightful story . . . Surely surely a book readers will enjoy.” — Kirkus Reviews
School Library Journal
07/22/2022
Gr 2–5—Marisol, first introduced in Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey, returns in this standalone second installment. Marisol and her best friend, Jada, have different lists of what they like and dislike, but they agree on their number one dislike—gym class. When Coach Decker announces that the class will start kickball, a snarky nemesis reminds her that she, Evie, excels in all sports while Marisol does not. The result makes already anxious Marisol even more so. It doesn't help that her father is away working on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, so he can't teach her. But "Dadhead" as they call him (that's how he appears on regular family video chats) suggests that Marisol ask her brother, a confident athlete, for help. Ultimately, Marisol gets help, overcomes her anxiety (even getting off her "brain train," the endless loop of worries), and has a successful kick in a game of kickball. She gets kudos from her friends, the coach, and even Evie. As in the previous entry, Kelly presents plausible, emotionally authentic characters who interact in resonant situations. The third-person present tense narration puts readers right there with Marisol; they will be rooting for her first kick along with her friends and family. VERDICT This middle grade for younger readers is a general purchase for school and public libraries.—Maria B. Salvadore
SEPTEMBER 2022 - AudioFile
Narrator Amielynn Abellera creates a strong voice for young Marisol, who wants nothing more than to be successful at a sport despite her awkwardness. It seems like everyone else has athletic talent, including her soccer star brother, Oz. When the first couple days of the kickball unit in gym class don’t go well, she and her best friend, Jada, become more determined than ever to excel at it. Abellera captures Marisol’s passion as she establishes her goals and works towards them with the help of her family and friends. Listeners will enjoy getting to know Marisol and will cheer her on during her moment to shine. M.D. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2022-08-17
Marisol Rainey is back with more worries.
Gym class is Marisol’s least favorite thing. She’s not great at sports, but for once, she’d like to hear “Way to go, Marisol!” rather than “Nice try, Marisol!” or “Great effort, Marisol!” When their gym teacher announces that they’ll be doing a unit on kickball, Marisol and her best friend, Jada, get nervous. The Brain Train, Marisol’s term for her string of thoughts and worries, chugs along, making it hard for her to sleep and focus at school. Surely things would be easier if her dad were home to teach her kickball, but he’s on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. But with some helpful ideas and advice from her friends and family, Marisol eventually faces kickball with fewer worries and a little more confidence. This stand-alone companion novel to Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey (2021) is a charming, delightful story that readers, especially those with fears and strong emotions, will find relatable. Marisol and her friends all have their quirks, like Jada asking “Would you rather?” questions, adding to the fun. The black-and-white illustrations provide humor and help move the story along. Marisol is biracial; her mother is from the Philippines, and her dad presents White. Jada presents Black.
Surely surely a book readers will enjoy. (Fiction. 6-9)
