Merci Suárez Changes Gears
Meg Medina, Author
Candlewick Press, Fiction, Sept. 4 2018
Suitable for Ages: 9-12
Pages: 346
Themes: Cuban-American, Bullying, Aging grandparents, Alzheimer, Friendship
Synopsis:
Eleven-year-old Mercedes (Merci) Suárez knew that sixth grade would be different, but she has no idea just how different. Merci has never felt like she fits in with the other kids at her private Florida school because she and her brother, Roli, are scholarship students. They don’t live in a big house, and they have to do community service to make up for their tuition. Roli adjusts because he loves science and is a stellar student. When Merci is assigned to be a Sunshine Buddy with the new boy at school, bossy Edna Santos is jealous.
Things aren’t going well at home, either. Merci’s grandfather, Lolo, has acted differently lately. He forgets his glasses, falls off his bike, tries to pick up the wrong twin grandsons at school, wanders off and gets angry over nothing. No one in her family will tell Merci what’s going on, so she’s left to her own worries, while also feeling all on her own at school. In a coming-of-age tale full of humor and wisdom, award-winning author Meg Medina gets to the heart of the confusion and constant change that defines middle school — and the steadfast connection that defines family.
Why I like this book:
Meg Medina skillfully writes a heartwarming and engaging novel that tackles several big topics. There is a mean, rich-girl bully theme at school, due to the differences in social status and culture. While the rich kids show up in expensive SUVs, Merci arrives in the old truck Papi drives for his painting business. Instead of expensive vacations, Merci is stuck watching her twin cousins. And there is her grandfather’s Alzheimer diagnosis, which her parents shield Merci from until the end of the novel. Her concerns for Lolo turn into anger when she discovers that she is being lied to and treated like a child. After all, the Suárez family prides itself in being truthful.
This richly textured Latino story is peppered with Spanish expressions from her Cuban-American family. Medina uses humor in this true-to-life story that is topsy-turvy and filled with heart. The Suárez family is a large multigenerational family that live in a group of three pink houses where all family members come and go, regardless of who lives where. The three identical houses are affectionately called Las Casitas. Needless to say there is a lot of chaos. The Suárez family is a close-knit family that work, cook and eat together, share childcare, and support each other, even if money is tight.
The characters are memorable. Medina uses authentic voices to create a story about a tween girl who has worries, frustrations and angst about her looks. Merci is a strong-willed, but it takes her a long time to realize that she is genuinely liked by many of her classmates and forms connections with ease as long as she is herself. This is a winning and completely satisfying coming-of-age story.
Check out the Teacher’s Guide, published by Candlewick Press.
Meg Medina is the author of the YA novels Burn Baby Burn; Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, for which she won the Pura Belpre Author Award; and The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind. She lives in Richmond Virginia. Visit Meg Medina at her website.
Greg Pattridge is the host for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors.
*Review copy provided by publisher.
Sounds like a great middle-grade book tackling a number of issues that many of today’s kids will relate to.
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It is a moving story that covers a lot of issues. Meg Medina is such an outstanding author.
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There’s been quite a bit of buzz about this book. It’s on my to-be read list.
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I was thrilled to see Meg Medina write another MG novel. I love intergenerational stories.
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This sounds like a great story that I bet a lot of us are going to like. I’ll add it as a book choice for my next book giveaway hop in October.
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That’s great! It is another outstanding book about the Latino culture by Medina.
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I have been hearing about this book and now will put it on my TBR list. You make it very enticing. Thanks for your review.
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Thank you! I enjoyed reading this busy story with so many things going on.
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This sounds truly lovely, as does that row of pink houses! I’m adding it to my teetering TBR pile–it sounds like a good book to read when winter cold sets in and I need some warmth in my life. Thanks for the recommend, and happy MMGM!
–Suzanne
http://www.suzannewarr.com
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I know. I loved the three pink home that contributed to this a real intergenerational story.
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This sounds like another treasure, Patricia! The issues of bullying, Alzheimer’s, and multi-culturism in America are timely and relevant. I appreciate your sharing this for MMGM! Thanks.
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It is a gem and filled with heart!
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Thanks for your review. This book sounds great!
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I’m glad you enjoyed my review of Medina’s book. It’s such a heartfelt story.
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The cover shows so much promise for the story and your review confirms it succeeded. Looking forward to reading this one. We need more understanding between social economic groups and this book would be a good place to start for young readers.
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It is a great cover. I enjoyed learning more about Merci’s family and their strong bond.
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Wow – so much to like about this book with it’s timely topics and issues!
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Yes, it is a timely read for middle grade students. It addresses many important topics.
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This book seems to deal with a whole range of recognisable and relatable issues. I’m sure many middle-grade students would be able to identify with much of it.
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With the growing Latino population in the US, it is important that kids see themselves in stories that they can relate to.
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It is indeed. 🙂
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