Saturday, February 9, 2019

Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina - ADVISABLE

Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina 355 pages- Candlewick Press, 2018 $17

Language: PG (2 swears 0 'f') Mature Content: PG. Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Merci Suárez was so excited for 6th grade, although still in the same private school, middle school means all different teachers and getting to do more things on her own. However, Merci lives close to her grandparents and aunt (3 houses together in fact). Her Tia is a single mom, so Merci is expected to tend her twin cousins afterschool, especially now that her Grandfather Lolo is being very forgetful and a little clumsy, so her plans to try out for the soccer team are nixed. And then, there's Michael, Merci is his Sunshine Buddy - because he is new to the school - but Merci is the only one matched with a boy!

Oh! There is so much going on in this book! I had a hard time deciding what the overall theme was - growing up I guess. I did find the relationship between Merci and Lolo especially sweet as I had a similar situation with my mother and her grandchildren. Lots of Spanish words and phrases - in context so no translation necessary. Overall, it was a nice read, although a bit long.

Lisa Librarian

No comments: