Only Only Marisol Rainey (Maybe Marisol #3)

“Emotionally spot-on. . . . Approachable for young readers, featuring wide margins, plenty of white space, and an abundance of line drawings.”—Horn Book (starred review)

“A satisfying early chapter book for Marisol fans and new readers alike.”—Booklist

“Full of humor and relatability. . . . A fun read that brings only delight.”—Kirkus Reviews

When a neighbor’s big, scary dog goes missing, it seems like only Marisol is worried he’s up to no good. But is there more to this lost-dog story than meets the eye?

From Newbery Medal– and Newbery Honor–winning author Erin Entrada Kelly, Only Only Marisol Rainey is a highly illustrated young middle-grade novel about friendship, facing your fears, and the power of compassion, friendship, and empathy. This stand-alone companion to Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey and Surely Surely Marisol Rainey is perfect for fans of Ivy + Bean, Merci Suárez, and Ramona.

A dangerous beast is on the loose in Marisol Rainey's neighborhood! At least, Marisol thinks it’s a dangerous beast. She's never actually met the neighbor’s dog officially, but surely a big German shepherd can’t be anything else. That’s why she and her BFF Jada nicknamed him “Daggers.”

When the Missing Dog posters around town reveal that his real name is Gregory, Marisol's fears don’t ease up one bit. He may be Gregory at home, but when he’s freely roaming the neighborhood with nothing to hold him back, he’s Daggers and nothing else.

When Marisol tries to sleep, the image of Daggers and his sharp teeth comes to mind. Marisol doesn't even want to ride her bike anymore. What if Daggers leaps out of the bushes, knocks her over, and eats her? She feels like she can’t rest until she knows Daggers has been returned to her neighbor’s backyard. Strangely, no one else seems all that concerned for their safety. Only Marisol.

Is Daggers big and super scary looking? Maybe. Is Marisol afraid? Surely. Will she eventually learn that there’s more to Daggers than meets the eye? Only if she faces her fears.

Only Only Marisol Rainey is told in short chapters with illustrations by the author on almost every page, making it perfect for readers ready for a short and accessible novel. Erin Entrada Kelly’s stand-alone companion to Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey and Surely Surely Marisol Rainey celebrates the small but mighty Marisol, the joys of friendship, the power of compassion, and the triumph of persevering. For readers of Kevin Henkes, Andrew Clements, Judy Blume, and Beverly Cleary.

• Facing Your Fears: Marisol is terrified of her neighbor’s big German shepherd, who she calls "Daggers." When he goes missing, she’s the only one who realizes the neighborhood might be in danger.
• A Sweet Friendship Story: With her best friend Jada by her side, Marisol navigates the ups and downs of elementary school life, from learning to ride a bike to supporting each other through worries big and small.
• Illustrated Early Chapter Book: With charming line drawings by the author on nearly every page and short, accessible chapters, this book is perfect for newly independent readers transitioning to longer stories.
• Empathy and Compassion: A gentle and funny story that shows how things—and big, scary-looking dogs—aren’t always what they seem, and how a little understanding can make all the difference.