Merci Suarez Changes Gears

Merci Suarez Changes Gears is a 2019 Newbery Award Winner written by Meg Medina. Medina targets this book towards nine year old children.  Merci, a young, sixth grader, learns about how to navigate through sixth grade (MIDDLE SCHOOL) of a prestigious school in Florida. Knowing she is only there because of scholarship and having to uphold a reputation to stay there is on her shoulders. This curly haired, eleven year old girl has to face adversity of the class bully and learning how her family dynamic changes with finding out that her grandfather, Lo-Lo is sick. He often forgets things, gets angry over nothing, and falling off of his bike. The struggle staying afloat in school and understanding family pushes Merci to symbolize her life into her bike. At the end of the book Merci celebrates Christmas with her family. She gives her family a photo book with photos that celebrates family memories. She also gets a new bike for Christmas with the security that even as life changes and gear change, everything with be alright with family. I would recommend this book to students who are transitioning to new things in their lives. This is a great book to relate to and grow to love.