Surely Surely Marisol Rainey

Description: "One of Marisol's least-favorite things is gym class--especially when Coach Decker announces that they will be playing kickball--so Marisol and her best friend Jada ask the best (and stinkiest) athlete they know--Marisol's big brother Oz--for help"--

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:

"[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)

"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

"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."