Surely Surely Marisol Rainey

Marisol Rainey is a fourth grader in Louisiana who deals with anxiety and fear, particularly of the magnolia tree in her backyard. She lives with her mother and brother while her father works on an oil rig, communicating with the family through video calls. At school, Marisol navigates friendship with her best friend Jada and participates in a class talent show. She names objects around her and creates movies in her head, finding comfort in her imagination as she faces her everyday challenges. Throughout the story, Marisol works to understand herself and find ways to be brave despite her fears. The narrative explores themes of family bonds, self-acceptance, and the different forms courage can take in a child's life.

Readers say this book resonates with anxious and introverted children, depicting relatable childhood fears and friendship dynamics. Many parents report their kids seeing themselves in Marisol's hesitation and worry. Readers appreciated: - Authentic portrayal of anxiety without making it the whole story - Filipino-American cultural elements naturally woven in - The supportive relationship between Marisol and her best friend Jada - Short chapters that work well for reluctant readers Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly with limited action - Some found it too brief at 160 pages - A few readers wanted more resolution to Marisol's challenges Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (150+ ratings) "Perfect for kids who need to see that being scared is normal," wrote one teacher reviewer on Goodreads. Another parent noted: "My daughter finally found a character who thinks like she does."

Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson Ryan, like Marisol, navigates everyday challenges and anxieties while discovering her strengths through family relationships and childhood adventures.

Maybe Maybe Marisol Forest by Erin Entrada Kelly The sequel follows Marisol through new experiences with her best friend as she continues to face her fears and grow.

Front Desk by Kelly Yang Mia manages her immigrant family's motel while dealing with self-doubt and finding her place in the world.

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina A sixth-grader balances family obligations, friendship dynamics, and personal growth during a year of significant changes.

The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata Summer tackles responsibilities beyond her years while working through anxieties and cultural expectations with her Japanese-American family.

🌟 Author Erin Entrada Kelly won the 2018 Newbery Medal for her book "Hello, Universe" 🌳 The story takes place in Louisiana, where magnolia trees (like the one Marisol is afraid to climb) are the official state flower 🎬 Marisol's love of old movies comes from the author's own childhood passion for classic films 🌏 The main character's name, Marisol, reflects her Filipino-American heritage, similar to the author's own background 🐈 The cat in the story, named Junie, is based on the author's real-life cat who helped her through the writing process