Erin Entrada Kelly

Erin Entrada Kelly is an acclaimed American children's literature author who won the 2018 John Newbery Medal for her novel "Hello, Universe." Her work frequently explores themes of Filipino-American identity, drawing from her own background as the daughter of a Filipino immigrant mother. Kelly's novels have garnered multiple prestigious awards, including a 2021 Newbery Honor for "We Dream of Space" and the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association Award for "The Land of Forgotten Girls." Her books have achieved both critical and commercial success, becoming national and New York Times bestsellers and being translated into numerous languages. Kelly began her professional career as a journalist for the American Press before transitioning to children's literature with her debut novel "Blackbird Fly" in 2015. She currently serves as a faculty member at both Rosemont College and Hamline University, teaching graduate-level courses in children's literature and writing.

Readers appreciate Kelly's authentic portrayal of Filipino-American experiences and complex family dynamics. Her books resonate with children who feel like outsiders, with many reviews noting how the characters' struggles mirror real middle school experiences. Readers highlight: - Natural dialogue and distinct character voices - Handling of serious topics like bullying and self-acceptance - Integration of Filipino culture without feeling forced - Accessibility for reluctant readers Common criticisms: - Some plots move too slowly - Adult characters can feel one-dimensional - Endings that resolve too neatly Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - We Dream of Space: 4.2/5 (6,800+ ratings) - Hello, Universe: 3.9/5 (19,000+ ratings) - Blackbird Fly: 4.0/5 (3,400+ ratings) Amazon averages 4.5-4.7/5 across titles "Her characters jump off the page" appears frequently in reader reviews, while others note the "perfect middle grade voice" that captures adolescent perspectives.

Blackbird Fly (2015) A 12-year-old Filipino-American girl faces bullying and self-discovery while finding strength through her love of music.

The Land of Forgotten Girls (2016) Two Filipino sisters navigate life in Louisiana with their cruel stepmother after being abandoned by their father.

Hello, Universe (2017) Four middle schoolers' lives intersect when one becomes trapped in a well, leading to an unexpected rescue mission.

You Go First (2018) Two online Scrabble friends support each other through personal challenges while navigating middle school life.

Lalani of the Distant Sea (2019) A 12-year-old girl embarks on a dangerous journey to save her village, inspired by Filipino folklore.

We Dream of Space (2020) Three siblings deal with family tensions and personal challenges during the month leading up to the Challenger disaster.

Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey (2021) A shy Louisiana girl named Marisol struggles to overcome her fear of climbing the magnolia tree in her backyard.

Those Kids from Fawn Creek (2022) The arrival of a new student transforms the social dynamics of a small-town seventh-grade class.

Surely Surely Marisol Rainey (2022) Marisol faces new challenges as she deals with stage fright during her school's talent show.

Linda Sue Park writes middle-grade novels exploring Korean-American identity and family relationships through both historical and contemporary lenses. Her work includes the Newbery Medal-winning "A Single Shard" and tackles similar cultural navigation themes as Kelly's books.

Grace Lin creates middle-grade stories incorporating Chinese folklore and modern Asian-American experiences. Her books feature young protagonists discovering their identity while bridging cultural gaps, similar to Kelly's focus on Filipino-American characters.

Cynthia Kadohata writes about Japanese-American experiences and family dynamics in her middle-grade novels. Her books share Kelly's interest in exploring immigrant family relationships and cultural identity formation.

Rita Williams-Garcia crafts stories about young people finding their place in complex family and social structures. Her work parallels Kelly's emphasis on authentic cultural representation and coming-of-age experiences.

Veera Hiranandani focuses on Indian-American experiences and cultural identity in her middle-grade novels. Her books feature protagonists navigating between cultures and finding their voice, matching Kelly's themes of cultural belonging and self-discovery.