Land of Forgotten Girls

Description: Abandoned by their father and living in poverty with their heartless stepmother in Louisiana, two sisters from the Philippines, twelve-year-old Sol and six-year-old Ming, learn the true meaning of family.

Brief description:

Erin Entrada Kelly is the author of the Newbery Medal-winning novels Hello, Universe and The First State of Being, which was also named a finalist for the National Book Award. She received a Newbery Honor for her acclaimed novel We Dream of Space. Erin Entrada Kelly grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and now lives in Delaware. She teaches in the MFA in writing for children and young adults program at Hamline University. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Philippines Free Press Literary Award for Short Fiction and the Pushcart Prize. Before becoming a children's author, she worked as a journalist and magazine editor and received numerous awards for community service journalism, feature writing, and editing from the Louisiana Press Association and the Associated Press.

Erin Entrada Kelly's debut novel, Blackbird Fly, was a Kirkus Best Book of the Year, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, an ALSC Notable Book, and an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book. She is also the author of The Land of Forgotten Girls, winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature; You Go First, an Indie Next Pick; Lalani of the Distant Sea, an Indie Next Pick; Those Kids from Fawn Creek, named to numerous best-of-the-year lists; The Second Life of Snap, which received six starred reviews; and six popular novels for younger readers, Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey, Surely Surely Marisol Rainey, Only Only Marisol Rainey, Your Turn Marisol Rainey, Felix Powell, Boy Dog, and Felix Powell, Boy Squirrel, which she also illustrated. Erin Entrada Kelly's acclaimed nonfiction debut, At Last She Stood, was the recipient of the Robert F. Sibert Honor. It tells the sweeping story of Filipino World War II guerrilla fighter, Josefina Guerrero.

Review Quotes:

Praise for Blackbird Fly: "Each character in Kelly's debut novel . . . is portrayed with remarkable authenticity. The awkwardness and intense feelings inherent to middle school are palpable. Children's literature has been waiting for Apple Yengko--a strong, Asian-American girl whose ethnic identity simultaneously complicates and enriches her life." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Will resonate with any student in middle school who has felt different and ostracized. The author has skillfully captured the various characters that populate Apple's . . . school." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"[A] delightful debut . . . Through her love of music . . . Apple starts to soar like the eponymous blackbird of her favorite Beatles song." - Los Angeles Times Book Review

"A smart, sensitive, and resilient heroine who is authentic and relatable in her strengths and imperfections. This poignant novel would make for a particularly fine readaloud; expect visceral reactions . . . This is a must-read for those kids cringing at their own identities." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Writing with acute sensitivity and sometimes painful realism, debut novelist Kelly skillfully captures the betrayals, tentative first crushes, and fluctuating emotions of middle school ... a true triumph." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"[An] enchanting plot propelled by delightful narration. This book will appeal to a broad array of readers, as it has a little bit of everything-fantasy, realism, sisterhood, friendship, suspense, and humor. A charming and affecting novel about sisterhood, the magic of imagination, and perseverance." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"Kelly has written another beautiful story which will appeal to readers of all ages. ...The story is one of love and courage in the face of adversity, sisterly bonds, and the realization that family can be formed in many different ways." - Catholic Library World

"Kelly deftly captures the tumultuous emotions of a preteen who is forced to grow up faster than other girls her age." - Kirkus Reviews

"Kelly's sophomore novel is both hopeful and heartfelt, but strong emotions are only part of the successful equation here. Told in Sol's true voice, the direct dialogue brings the diverse characters to vivid life." - Booklist (starred review)

"Kelly balances the bleak and the beautiful in a novel about the multilayered bond between sisters...Kelly's strong heroine offers hope in the face of loss." - Publishers Weekly

"Sisterhood, friendship, truth, hope: these are the themes that lift The Land of Forgotten Girls... into the realm of the truly special. ...Readers who feel marginalized or alone in their troubles-and who doesn't at times?-will adore Sol and her ragtag family, both chosen and real.'" - Shelf Awareness

"This story addresses the importance of family, especially sisterhood, diversity in friendships, the gift of forgiveness, perseverance through difficult circumstances, and the need for hope....Erin Entrada Kelly is a formidable middle grade author." - Litstack

"This stirring and original story ends on a credibly hopeful note while remaining firmly rooted in reality, and readers who have embraced Sol will be cautiously optimistic for her future. ...Sol's central struggles are gripping. Fans of Rita Williams-Garcia's family...may particularly enjoy spending time with Sol." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books