Only Only Marisol Rainey: Maybe Marisol
#3 of 3 in Maybe Marisol Series
on Goodreads (160)
What’s inside...
Only Only Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly is a highly illustrated young middle-grade novel focusing on friendship, facing fears, and compassion. In the story, Marisol Rainey is worried when a neighbor’s big and scary dog named 'Daggers' goes missing. Despite everyone else's lack of concern, Marisol is convinced that 'Daggers' is a dangerous beast roaming the neighborhood. As Marisol confronts her fear of the dog, she discovers there's more to 'Daggers' than she initially thought, leading to lessons in empathy and bravery. The book is told in short, illustrated chapters and is a stand-alone companion to Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey and Surely Surely Marisol Rainey. It is designed for young readers transitioning to novels, celebrating perseverance, friendship, and understanding.
Discussion points
How do you think Marisol feels when she faces things that scare her, and what do you do when you're scared?
Marisol has a vivid imagination. What are some of the most adventurous things you would like to imagine?
Friendship plays an important role in this story. What qualities do you value in your friends?
Marisol learns a lot about herself through her challenges. What have you learned about yourself when you've faced challenges?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions that allow children to express their feelings and thoughts about the story.
Relate the book’s themes to the child's personal experiences to foster deeper understanding and connection.
Encourage children to imagine their own scenarios or endings to the story to stimulate creativity.
Discuss the values demonstrated in the book, such as courage and friendship, and explore how these can be applied in real-life situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Overcoming Fear
Explanation: Marisol Rainey, the main character, deals with her fear of climbing trees. Throughout the book, she learns to face this personal challenge with encouragement from her friends and her own inner strength.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their fears and overcome personal obstacles, whether it’s trying out a new sport, speaking in front of the class, or making new friends.
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: The story highlights how Marisol’s friends support and motivate her. They play a crucial role in helping her overcome her fear, showing the strength found in compassionate and encouraging friendships.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to nurture friendships and be supportive friends themselves, understanding the positive impact they can have in each other’s lives.
Example Lesson: Importance of Imagination
Explanation: Marisol has a vivid imagination which she uses as a coping mechanism and a way to entertain herself. Her creativity is an essential part of how she interacts with the world and faces her fears.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their imagination not just for play, but as a tool to solve problems and face life's challenges.
Example Lesson: Self-Acceptance
Explanation: Across the story, Marisol learns to accept her unique traits, like her dislike for adventures despite her friends’ interests. This acceptance helps her to understand and appreciate her true self.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of self-love and being true to themselves, even when they feel different from others.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The narrative showcases Marisol’s repeated attempts and eventual success in climbing the tree, illustrating the theme of perseverance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persistence and hard work in achieving goals, regardless of the initial setbacks they might encounter.