Category Archives: parents

Chapter Book Review Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey words & pictures by Erin Entrada Kelly

I have seldom read a chapter book as emotionally true as Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey. Our hero is the delightfully cautious and introspective Marisol, a Philippine -American girl living in Louisiana. The two things I appreciated most about this book was the main characters disarming honesty about her many fears, and her steadfast best friend Jada. So many middle grade books address the problem of the mean, snarky, bullying girl.  It’s easy to forget that children–even girls–are as capable of kindness as they are of cruelty. I loved Jada’s unquestioning acceptance of Marisol’s many quirks. I loved their imaginative play and the hilarious names they gave to household appliances. And I loved Marisol’s unwavering faith in her friend.  I also appreciated the leisurely pace of the story, which meandered from one summer activity to the next while Marisol thoughtfully addressed her fear of climbing the magnolia tree in her back yard. This is a perfect choice for a tender-hearted reader. 

For Wolf Fans

If you are studying at home and love wolves, here’s some bonus content for middle grade students who liked A Wolf Called Wander.

Here are the resources I referenced in the video. If you are looking for information about animals of the world, national geographic has a terrific website for kids. For information about Oregon animals and habitats try the Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife.

If you want to look at some wolves and track their behavior like a wildlife biologist does, you could follow this link to the Wolf Conservation Center in New York where they have some wolves you can watch on wildlife cameras. bit.ly/34ulJH4 will take you there.

If you just want to practice drawing a wolf, here is one of illustrator Mónica Armiño’s pictures for practice and inspiration.

And finally if you want to write me a letter, you can reach me at the bookstore where I work: Annie Blooms Books, 3834 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, Oregon 97219. I promise I’ll write back and send you a signed bookplate.

Vote for the New York History Book Prize

I’m so honored that my book LAST OF THE NAME was chosen as a finalist for the New York History Book Prize. It’s in the company of books and authors I admire very much. There is a public voting component to this prize. You don’t have to be from New York to vote, any fan of history books can cast a vote here. Voting is open until the end of the day April 30th. Historical fiction is sometime overshadowed by other books but it was my favorite genre when I was a kid which is why I write it as often as I can. Thanks to the New York Historical Society for sponsoring this prize and to teachers and librarians and booksellers everywhere who keep putting historical books in kids’ hands.

League of Exceptional Writers October 12th at 2pm at Powells

It’s starting again! I can’t wait to hear what this year’s mentors bring to the League. We are starting off with poet and humorist extraordinaire Sue Cowing who has come all the way from Hawaii. Come see us this Saturday October 12th at 2pm at the Cedar Hills Powells 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd. Parking is free! There will be another event going on at the same time so come find us over by the magazines. Can’t wait to see all of my awesome League members and hear about their writing and drawing.

The League of Exceptional Writers–Writing on the Wild Side

Journey of the Pale Bear and my new book which is just out this week is called A Wolf Called Wander. 

The League of Exceptional Writers is a free mentoring program sponsored by the Oregon Society of Children’s book Writers and Illustrators and hosted by the Cedar Hills Powell’s Bookstore. We meet every second Saturday at 2pm from October to May. Avid readers and writers ages 8 to 18 are welcome. Please share the poster below with your friends, your school and your library.