Marisol Rainey lives with her parents and older brother, Oz, in Louisiana. Her Filipina mom is a 7th grade science teacher, her white dad an electrician on an oil rig in the Louisiana gulf. As summer begins, Marisol wishes she weren’t afraid to ascend Peppina, the beautiful magnolia tree in her back yard with branches perfect for climbing. Marisol’s best friend, Jada, climbs Peppina easily, and while Marisol isn’t jealous she does long to join Jada in the tree. In a story about an anxious child that perfectly arcs toward Marisol’s realistic conquering of this one fear, Marisol is singular yet relatable, surrounded by a loving family and good best friend. This warm, emotionally honest, gently humorous novel wonderfully captures dynamics of family and friendship and the timeless feeling of summer days, while one or more of Marisol’s worries will resonate with many readers, even though Marisol is convinced she is alone in her struggles. Marisol’s success in climbing Peppina is all the more satisfying for doing it wholly on her own terms, motivated solely by her own desire rather than outside pressure. Black-and-white occasional illustrations by the author, who notes that Marisol has a lot in common with herself as a child, accompany a story perfect for reading aloud, or for newly independent readers ready to read a short novel. (Ages 6-9)

“Utterly endearing!” —Annie Barrows, New York Times-bestselling author of the Ivy + Bean books

“Hilarious and heart-melting.” —Sara Pennypacker, New York Times–bestselling author of Pax

Introducing eight-year-old Marisol Rainey—an irresistible new character from Newbery Medal winning and New York Times–bestselling Erin Entrada Kelly!

Maybe, Maybe Marisol Rainey is an illustrated novel about summer, friendship, and overcoming fears, told with warm humor and undeniable appeal. Fans of Clementine, The Year of Billy Miller, and Ramona the Pest will be thrilled to meet Marisol.

Marisol Rainey’s mother was born in the Philippines. Marisol’s father works and lives part-time on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. And Marisol, who has a big imagination and likes to name inanimate objects, has a tree in her backyard she calls Peppina . . . but she’s way too scared to climb it. This all makes Marisol the only girl in her small Louisiana town with a mother who was born elsewhere and a father who lives elsewhere (most of the time)—the only girl who’s fearful of adventure and fun.

Will Marisol be able to salvage her summer and have fun with Jada, her best friend? Maybe. Will Marisol figure out how to get annoying Evie Smythe to leave her alone? Maybe. Will Marisol ever get to spend enough real time with her father? Maybe. Will Marisol find the courage to climb Peppina? Maybe. 

Told in short chapters with illustrations by the author on nearly every page, Maybe, Maybe Marisol Rainey is a must-have for early elementary grade readers. Erin Entrada Kelly celebrates the small but mighty Marisol, the joys of friendship, and the triumph of overcoming your fears in this stunning new novel for readers of Kevin Henkes, Meg Medina, Andrew Clements, Sara Pennypacker, and Kate DiCamillo. 

Features black-and-white artwork throughout by Erin Entrada Kelly.