Merci Suárez Changes Gears

In the 2019 Newbery Medal-winning novel by Meg Medina, sixth-grader Merci Suarez faces the challenges of growing up as a scholarship student at a private school in Florida. As she navigates shifting dynamics with friends like the jealous Edna Santos and deals with concerning changes at home involving her grandfather, Lolo, Merci’s journey captures the complexities of middle school life. Blending humor and insight, Medina explores the themes of friendship, family, and the inevitable uncertainties of adolescence.