Surely Surely Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly
Published by Greenwillow Books on August 9, 2022
ISBN: 0062970453
Pages: 160
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Illustrated chapter book with drawings by the author.

Marisol’s gym teacher announces they will be starting a kickball unit, and Marisol is worried. She isn’t good at sports, and Evie, another girl in her class, is mean to her about that, making things worse. Still, with support from her best friend Jada and help from her “extraordinarily” sporty older brother, she eventually finds her courage and manages to kick the ball in a game. Everyone cheers for her success, from her family to the coach to (surprise!) Evie.

Marisol is a likeable and realistic character, with fears and anxieties that ring true as she navigates the ups and downs of school, gym class, and friendships. Young readers looking for an engaging storyline and relatable characters will find a winner here. A bonus is that this is second in a series (works fine as a stand-alone) by award-winning Erin Entrada Kelly.

Readers who enjoy Sara Pennypacker’s Clementine or Lois Lowry’s Gooney Bird books will love to find these on the shelf!

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library