The Latino setting was excellent, although some readers may need help with Spanish translations in parts. Sometimes it felt as if too much was going on at once, which might reflect an accurate sixth-grade world view. At the same time, Merci's grandfather Lolo, to whom she is quite close, is declining rapidly due to Alzheimer's Disease, and Merci doesn't really understand what is going on due to the family's decision to keep her in the dark.This transitional coming-of-age novel feels real and true, with Merci's school friends, her teachers, and her close-knit family all interacting in many ways. She often feels like an outsider as her friends become interested in boys for the first time, more homework and grade pressures in middle school, and having to deal with a frenemy, rich girl Edna Santos. Merci and her older brother Roli are scholarship students at a private school, and Merci has to work community service as part of her tuition. Read moreĮleven-year-old Cuban American Merci Suárez lives in the Palm Beach area of Florida with a large extended family - parents, brother, grandparents (Abuela and Abuelo), and her aunt (Tia) with young twins. In a coming-of-age tale full of humor and wisdom, award-winning author Meg Medina gets to the heart of the confusion and constant change that defines middle school-and the steadfast connection that defines family. No one in her family will tell Merci what's going on, so she's left to her own worries, while also feeling all on her own at school. Things aren't going well at home, either: Merci's grandfather and most trusted ally, Lolo, has been acting strangely lately-forgetting important things, falling from his bike, and getting angry over nothing. So when bossy Edna Santos sets her sights on the new boy who happens to be Merci's school-assigned Sunshine Buddy, Merci becomes the target of Edna's jealousy. They don't have a big house or a fancy boat, and they have to do extra community service to make up for their free tuition. For starters, Merci has never been like the other kids at her private school in Florida, because she and her older brother, Roli, are scholarship students. Merci Suarez knew that sixth grade would be different, but she had no idea just how different. Thoughtful, strong-willed sixth-grader Merci Suarez navigates difficult changes with friends, family, and everyone in between in a resonant new novel from Meg Medina.
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