Marisol MacDonald Doesn't Match

Marisol McDonald has flaming red hair and nut-brown skin. Polka dots and stripes are her favorite combination. She prefers peanut butter and jelly burritos in her lunch box. To Marisol, these seemingly mismatched things make perfect sense together.

Other people wrinkle their nose in confusion at Marisol-can't she just choose one or the other? Try as she might, in a world where everyone tries to put this biracial, Peruvian-Scottish-American girl into a box, Marisol McDonald doesn't match. And that's just fine with her.

A mestiza Peruvian American of European, Jewish, and Amerindian heritage, renowned author Monica Brown wrote this lively story to bring her own experience of being mismatched to life. Her buoyant prose is perfectly matched by Sara Palacios' mixed media illustrations.

Monica Brown is the author of many award-winning bilingual books for children, many of which are inspired by her Peruvian American heritage. Monica is a Professor of English at Northern Arizona University, specializing in U.S. Latino Literature and Multicultural Literature. She lives in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Sara Palacios was born in Mexico City. She holds degrees in Graphic Design, Illustration, and Digital Graphic Techniques, and is pursuing her MFA in Illustration at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She divides her time between Mexico City and San Francisco, California. 

* Marisol's varied, distinctive lifestyle and multiracial family affirms our increasingly blended society and clearly celebrates independent thinking. Brava! -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Brilliant, rambunctious, delightful. -- BookDragon

It's impossible to resist the quirky and colorful illustrations... Most of all, Marisol McDonald's story shows that we don't need to conform in order to be loved. -- Spanglish Baby

Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combina is a great book for multi-cultural families, bilingual homes or for anyone who often feels a little unique. -- Mommy Maestra

Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor
Junior Library Guild Selection