Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey (Maybe Marisol #1)

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.

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