Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Merci Suȧrez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
  1. Bibliography
Medina, Meg. Merci Suárez Changes Gears. Candlewick Press, 2018. 
ISBN 076369049X.
  1. Plot Summary
Mercedes “Merci” Suarez is an 11-year old girl that is apart of a very tight-knit latino family. Particularly,
Merci is very close to her grandfather, her Lolo. Merci and Lolo did everything together, she even rode
her bike with him every Sunday morning to the bakery around the corner to pick up fresh bread for dinner.
However, Lolo has not been acting himself lately. He has become forgetful and accident prone and even
loses his temper at times. Can Merci understand what is wrong with Lolo?
  1. Critical Analysis
This was a great story, told from the perspective of an 11-year old. Because of the point of view, I think
many students would be able to relate to Merci’s story. I also think this is an important story to tell
because although there have been many advances and breakthroughs in mental diseases, particularly
Alzheimers, there is still a hush-hush, don’t talk about it mentality to mental illness. By experiencing
Lolo’s digression through the eyes of an 11-year, who doesn’t understand what is happening to her
grandfather, the pain, sadness, and realism seems accentuated
  1. Review Excerpts
  • 2019 Newbery Medal Winner
  • Merci Suárez Changes Gears is a tenderhearted, funny, realistic, and ultimately heartbreaking
story. —R. J. Palacio, New York Times best-selling author of Wonder

  • Medina’s breathtaking coming-of-age story features a strong, deeply honest protagonist
whose insights will make readers laugh, as well as dynamic secondary characters that reveal
glimmers of profound depth. Medina capably gets to the heart of middle school experiences
in this engrossing story of a kid growing into herself. A must read.
—Booklist (starred review)
  1. Connections
  • After reading this story, the teacher can hold a discussion about the disease of
Alzheimers. Perhaps students may know someone that struggled with this disease,
or can relate to what Merci was going through.

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