Erin Entrada Kelly

Erin Entrada Kelly is a highly acclaimed Filipino-American author, best known for her work in children’s fiction. She was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in 1977, to a Filipino immigrant mother, Virgilia Entrada, and an American father, Dennis Ray Kelly. Growing up, Kelly was the only mestizo Filipino in her class, which made her feel like an outsider. These experiences of being bullied and feeling different have greatly influenced her writing, as she often creates characters who face similar challenges.

Kelly is particularly known for her novel "Hello, Universe," which won the prestigious John Newbery Medal in 2018. She is a proud mestiza, a term that signifies her mixed Filipino and American heritage. Her mother hails from the island of Cebu in the Philippines, while her father is white American. As a young, single mother, Kelly attended college while working at a newspaper, all while raising her daughter, Carolanne. She took one class a semester, which allowed her to graduate with an MFA in Creative Writing from Rosemont College after a decade. Currently, Kelly teaches children’s literature in the publishing and graduate fiction programs at Rosemont College.

Erin Entrada Kelly's writing has been recognized with various accolades, including nominations for the Pushcart Prize and the Philippines Free Press Literary Award. Her books have received numerous awards, such as the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, the Golden Kite Honor Award, and the Gold Award for Fiction from the Parents Choice Foundation. Kelly's work focuses on young people, and her stories resonate with audiences of all ages. Her ability to create relatable characters and engaging narratives has solidified her position as a prominent figure in children’s literature.