Merci Suárez Changes Gears

By: Meg Medina

Narrated by: Frankie Corzo

Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

Winner of the 2019 Newbery Medal

Thoughtful, strong-willed sixth-grader Merci Suarez navigates difficult changes with friends, family, and everyone in between in a resonant new novel from Meg Medina.

Merci Suarez knew that sixth grade would be different, but she had no idea just how different. For starters, Merci has never been like the other kids at her private school in Florida, because she and her older brother, Roli, are scholarship students. They don’t have a big house or a fancy boat, and they have to do extra community service to make up for their free tuition. So when bossy Edna Santos sets her sights on the new boy who happens to be Merci’s school-assigned Sunshine Buddy, Merci becomes the target of Edna’s jealousy. Things aren't going well at home, either: Merci’s grandfather and most trusted ally, Lolo, has been acting strangely lately - forgetting important things, falling from his bike, and getting 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.    

©2018 Margaret Medina, original book published by Candlewick Press. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic Reviews

"Narrator Frankie Corzo presents a realistic portrayal of a young, first-generation Cuban-American's life in Florida.... Corzo perfectly delineates the Spanish words and accents of Merci's family, but she uses a neutral American accent to narrate Merci's voice, highlighting the way Merci straddles both cultures. Many listeners will relate to Merci as she navigates changes in her family and school life." (AudioFile)

The speed of voice is too fast

I wanted my 10 years old son to read this book but couldn't get a copy quickly so thought to try audible. But the speed of reading is really fast and voice modulation isn't great. Not something my son wants to hear rather than read

Beautiful story & narrator

We loved the narrator, beautiful reading that captured Merci's voice perfectly. We had the book as well, but my kids preferred the narration rather than me reading, and I didn't blame them!
As a mom who grew up on Judy Blume, this book felt like a modern version of Blume in the way Meg Medina captured Merci's thoughts and experiences in such an authentic way.
My son liked the end when Merci and Edna finally come to a place where they're nicer to one another.

Loved it!

Happy to see a family of Mexican decent depicted so well. Meg Medina understands the importance of culture and family. The Suarez family has heart and Merci has depth. My 5th grade students enjoyed a book that reflected their lives. Brava!

Great Book 😁

It is a very good book I highly recommend reading it and other books by this author!

It’s okay

Yes, I know it won the Newberry. I know Meg Medina is a prolific writer. As a Latina, I’m so proud to see a Latinx protagonist. But the story is boring. She wants a bike. She loves her family. Her grandfather is suffering from an illness. Though the character development is great, the plot just didn’t draw me in.

Great Read

This is a great book to read. I so enjoyed it. Yes it is.

fun, thoughtful book

great listen for a road trip with 12 and 14 year old daughters! we had just visited their aging grandparents and it helped us all process coping with seeing our loved ones change.

Well Deserved Newbery

We try to read the Newbery medalists and finalists each year, and this was one we were able to catch on audiobook while traveling. What a sweet story, it held my middle schoolers' attention and mine as well. Excellent performance by Frankie Corzo. I hope to read more from Meg Medina - who also endears herself to you as the shy, fledgling author many of us imagine ourselves to be. Keep on writing!

wonderful

Wonderful. I loved every minute of this journey. Heartfelt and thought provoking. A must read.

Wonderful!!!

Such a good story about family. Read it with my 10 almost 11 year old and it gave us so much to talk about.