Medina writes about the joys of multigenerational home life (a staple of the Latinx community) with a touching, humorous authenticity.

At home, Merci’s beloved Lolo begins to act erratically, and it becomes clear something secret and serious is happening. What’s worse is that her assigned buddy is Michael Clark, a new tall white boy in her class. At school, Merci has to deal with condescending mean girl Edna Santos, who loves to brag, boss around her friends, and throw out hurtful comments that start with “No offense….” Although Merci wants to earn money so that she can afford a new bike, she’s stuck volunteering for Sunshine Buddies, in which current students mentor new ones.

Instead of a stately mansion, Merci lives with her parents and older brother, Roli, in one of three identical homes next to her Cuban-American extended family: Abuela and Lolo, Tía Inéz, and her rambunctious little twin cousins. The Suárez family lives as an extended group in three neighboring houses: one for Merci, Roli, and their parents another for Merci's tía Inéz, who runs a bakery while raising young twin sons Axel and Tomás and the third for her abuela and abuelo, Lolo, who has always been in charge of walking the children home from school.Merci navigates the challenges of being a scholarship kid at a posh South Florida private school and the expectations of and responsibilities to her intergenerational family.Įleven-year-old Merci Suárez isn’t the typical Seaward Pines Academy sixth-grader. Michael draws the interest of fellow student and mean girl Edna Santos, adding to the pressure on Merci at school. As part of her scholarship obligation, Merci mentors new student Michael Clark for the 'Sunshine Buddies' program. Merci Suárez is a Cuban-American student starting the sixth grade (her second year) at Seaward Pines Academy, which she and her older brother Roli attend on scholarship. The novel was awarded the 2019 Newbery Medal. The novel details her struggles at school and home. Mercedes 'Merci' Suárez, the eponymous heroine, is a sixth grade scholarship student at an elite private school in South Florida. Merci Suárez Changes Gears is a 2018 children's book written by Meg Medina.

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