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Erin Entrada Kelly

エリン・エントラダ・ケリー

Erin Entrada Kelly

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
Hays, Kansas, U.S.
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Lake Charles, Louisiana (raised) → New Castle County, Delaware (near Philadelphia, residence)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Children's author, Illustrator
Active Years
2015-
Affiliations
Hamline University (faculty, Writing for Children and Young Adults), University of San Francisco (founding faculty, Writing for Young Readers MFA)
Influenced By
Judy Blume

Education

McNeese State University
Degree: BA
Country: United States
Rosemont College (MFA)
Degree: MFA
Country: United States
Moore College of Art and Design (Honorary Doctorate)
Degree: Honorary Doctorate
Year of Graduation: 2025
Country: United States
Honorary doctorate conferred (per sources)

Awards

Newbery Medal
2018
Work: Hello, Universe
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (American Library Association)
Result: 受賞
Newbery Medal
2025
Work: The First State of Being
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (American Library Association)
Result: 受賞
Newbery Honor
2021
Work: We Dream of Space
Organization: American Library Association
Result: オナー
APALA Award for Children's Literature (Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association) Honor Award
2016
Work: The Land of Forgotten Girls
Organization: Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association
Result: オナー
Golden Kite Award (Honor)
2016
Work: Blackbird Fly
Organization: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Result: オナー
National Book Award for Young People's Literature (Finalist)
2024
Work: The First State of Being
Category: Finalist
Organization: National Book Foundation
Result: ノミネート（ファイナリスト）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Blackbird Fly

2015 Children's / Middle-grade

A coming-of-age story centered on a Filipino-American girl, exploring identity, family, and self-expression.

IdentityFamilyComing of age

The Land of Forgotten Girls

2016 Children's / Middle-grade

A story about memory, the past, and the bonds between girls, reflecting aspects of Asian-American experience.

MemoryFriendshipImmigrant experience

Hello, Universe

2017 Middle-grade children's fiction

A multi-perspective tale about a missing boy and the friends who set out to find him; themes of friendship, courage, and overcoming misunderstandings.

FriendshipCourageSelf-discovery

You Go First

2018 Children's / Middle-grade

A short, intimate story about friendship and growing up, sensitively portraying the complexities of early adolescence.

FriendshipAdolescence

Lalani of the Distant Sea

2019 Fantasy / Children's literature

A fantastical adventure set in a mythic world, blending folk-tale elements with themes of self-discovery.

AdventureMyth/folktaleCourage

We Dream of Space

2020 Middle-grade / Children's literature

A work about dreams, ambition, and friendship; received a Newbery Honor.

DreamsFriendshipAmbition

Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey

2021 Children's picture book series

The first in a children's picture-book series which the author also illustrates.

FamilyEveryday lifeHumor

Those Kids from Fawn Creek

2022 Children's literature

An ensemble story about children in a small town.

CommunityFriendship

Surely Surely Marisol Rainey

2022 Children's picture book series

A follow-up in the Marisol Rainey picture-book series.

Growing upFamily

The First State of Being

2024 Middle-grade / Children's literature

A story exploring inner change and growth; recipient of the Newbery Medal.

Self-discoveryChangeFriendship

At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Survied, Spied, and Fought for Freedom

2025 Children's / Biographical fiction

Published in 2025; described as a children's work with historical/biographical elements.

HistoryStruggleFreedom

Bibliography

  • Blackbird Fly (2015)
  • The Land of Forgotten Girls (2016)
  • Hello, Universe (2017)
  • You Go First (2018)
  • Lalani of the Distant Sea (2019)
  • We Dream of Space (2020)
  • Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey (2021)
  • Those Kids from Fawn Creek (2022)
  • Surely Surely Marisol Rainey (2022)
  • The First State of Being (2024)
  • At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Survied, Spied, and Fought for Freedom (2025)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Accessible yet emotionally rich prose for middle-grade readersEnsemble/multi-perspective narration
Recurring Motifs
Friendship and bondsIdentity and self-discoveryFamily and immigrant experience

Legacy

Erin Entrada Kelly is a prominent contemporary American children's author with multiple honors including Newbery Medal wins. Her works, often reflecting Filipino-American perspectives, have received critical acclaim, translations, and bestseller recognition.

Academic Societies

  • Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)

Quotes

  • Imagination and creativity can carry you through.
    Source: WBUR interview (2019)

Trivia

  • Her mother immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines.
  • Won the 2018 Newbery Medal for 'Hello, Universe' (published 2017).
  • Won the Newbery Medal again in 2025 for 'The First State of Being' (published 2024).
  • Some books have been translated and achieved New York Times bestseller status.
  • She both authors and illustrates entries in her Marisol Rainey picture-book series.