Whether Merci is facing school drama or changing family dynamics, readers will empathize as she discovers who she can count on-and what can change in an instant-in Meg Medina’s heartfelt conclusion to the trilogy that began with the Newbery Medal–winning novel. Meg Medina, the 20232024 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, is a Cuban American author who writes for readers of all ages.Her middle-grade novel Merci Suárez Changes Gears received a Newbery Medal and was a New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of the Year, among many other distinctions. Does this mean they’re friends? Merci wants to play it cool, but with Edna always in her business, it’s only a matter of time before Merci has to decide where her loyalty stands. But then Avery starts talking to Merci more, and not just as a teammate. Merci has always been fine with not being one of the popular kids like Avery Sanders, who will probably be the soccer captain and is always traveling to fun places and buying new clothes. It’s a year filled with more responsibility and independence, but also with opportunities to reinvent herself.

At home, it means more chores and keeping an eye on Lolo as his health worsens. Then I had to dive right into reading 2019 books, so I still have never read this book.In a satisfying finale to her trilogy, Newbery Medalist Meg Medina follows Merci Suárez into an eighth-grade year full of changes-evolving friendships, new responsibilities, and heartbreaking loss.įor Merci Suárez, eighth grade means a new haircut, nighttime football games, and an out-of-town overnight field trip. Upper elementary and middle school readers will quickly connect to her issues with peer pressure, family, and dealing with the consequences of questionable decision making.Ĭons: Somehow Merci Suárez Changes Gears never got on my radar in 2018, and I was dismayed when a book I hadn’t read or reviewed won the 2019 Newbery. I loved Merci, her Cuban-American family, and the staff and students of Seaward Pines. Pros: I started this book at the beginning of a train ride to New York City and finished it up later that evening when I returned home. With the help of her large and loving family and her loyal friends, Merci manages to muddle through another year of school and even do some dancing.

Merci has her own ways of dealing with these issues, some more successful than others, but all of them funny, relatable, and endearing. Her new friend (or maybe crush) Wilson is there, and Merci succeeds in not only saying something regrettable to him but also accidentally destroying some expensive photography equipment and hiding the evidence. The seventh graders are in charge of the annual Valentine’s Day Heart Ball, and Merci reluctantly agrees to be the photographer if she can stay in the hall and not have to actually dance. She’s starting to be a bit curious about boys and kissing, but vehemently denies any interest to her friends and family. Summary: This follow up to the Newbery Award-winning Merci Suárez Changes Gears finds Merci in seventh grade, trying to find her place at the prestigious Seaward Pines Academy.

Meg medina merci suarez