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.)
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