Friday, March 29, 2019

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Merci can't help but notice the ways in which her life is different from those of her classmates. At her private school, she must do extra hours of community service in return for her scholarship. None of her classmates lives in a chain of little houses with their extended family. And, while her classmates may go on fancy vacations during school breaks, Merci's family hardly ever goes anywhere -- she's probably spending her vacations babysitting her little cousins, or helping with her father's painting business in order to save money for a new bike. And now that she is in sixth grade, everything seems to be changing, from the way her classmates interact (suddenly, some of the girls are acting like the boys they always played with at recess seem fascinating and somehow forbidden), to the way her beloved grandfather sometimes gets confused and irritable. Merci doesn't like any of the changes, but must learn that they are part of life, and that they can bring good things as well as bad.

I enjoyed this book, winner of the 2019 Newbery Medal, but I'm not sure I'd say it's the best book of the year. (Ah, the price of success! If it hadn't won, would I be saying that about some other book? Probably, but I digress.) There are several moments both touching and funny, and the characters are rounded and interesting. Merci's own character development is a pleasure to read. If you have an interest in children's literature, I'd recommend this book.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

No comments:

Post a Comment