And then there’s Merci’s grandfather, Lolo, who is changing in ways that none of Merci’s family wants to talk about. While this is a sweet story, it is a familiar formula, and not the best application of it. Hers is also the story of a loving family that helps during this tricky time. Introducing…Merci Suárez. The family has a rule of no secrets but she is pretty sure a secret is being kept from her and it infuriates her. And so I decided to listen to the audiobook on my weekly commute into work.This book has been on my radar for awhile. She’s paired with a new boy in the Sunshine Club, which gives mean girl Edna ammunition to tease Merci relentlessly. Some of the parts made me cringe with recognition.
I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to people who like realistic fiction.
Wit and humor shine through Merci’s spunky personality.Merci is challenged with many of the struggles that befall most middle schoolers – school, friend, girls, boys, bullies. At best, I’d say this might qualify as an Honor book, but not a winner.
While this is a sweet story, it is a familiar formula, and not the best application of it. Merci Suárez knew that sixth grade would be different, but she had no idea just how different. Chapters 11-14. Throw in a loving and aggravating family, that spills back and forth between the three casitas, and you get a marvelous jumble of strong personalities that sometimes hinder, but mostly support each other. Now, I'm here in Mr. Patchett's class, sweating in my polyester school blazer and waiting for this torture to be over.First sentence: To think, only yesterday I was in chancletas, sipping lemonade and watching my twin cousins run through the sprinkler in the yard. This book is heartwarming and bittersweet with a sugar-dusting of humor. It shows the life of a multi-generational Hispanic family that lives in three houses next to each other. The writing is Newbery-winning superb and there are many elements of Cuban culture and family life that will resonate and educate. As for kids, there will be kids who absolutely love it, and some who don't, same as with any other book. It's a coming-of-age tale which may appeal to middle school readers at the moment but probably lacks an enduring quality. Immature. She attends a private school on scholarship, making her something of an outsider with her peers, a problem which is compounded when Merci is assigned to be the buddy of a new boy on whom her rival, Edna Santos, has a crush.
However, being a very well behaved girl, her acting out is on a pretty minor level. I will say, however, that it's the first Newbery title that I've highly enjoyed in a long time, so there's that. I have complained in the past about representations of STEM and high-achieving kids, and I guess I am also sensitive to the representation of teachers and school staff, both the "good" and the not-so-good. Chapter Summaries & Analyses. I might have teared up a little at the relationship between Merci and her older brother too. Hers is also the story of a loving family that helps during this tricky time.