Merci Suárez Changes Gears

Merci Suárez, Book 1

By: Meg Medina

Narrated by: Frankie Corzo

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)

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.

wonderful

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

It’s sweet and fun

I really appreciated the eye disability rep. The story had depth too. Definitely recommend for middle grade

Great Read

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

???

Ok so she loves her fam,wants a new bike and has a buddy and her grandpa? No point the sort did not draw me in