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Merci Suárez Changes Gears
''Merci Suárez Changes Gears'' is a 2018 children's book (based on a short story from ''Flying Lessons and Other Stories'') written by Meg Medina. Mercedes "Merci" Suárez, the eponymous heroine, is a sixth grade scholarship student at an elite private school in South Florida. The novel details her struggles at school and home. The novel was awarded the 2019 Newbery Medal. Plot summary 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. Merci mentors new student Michael Clark for the "Sunshine Buddies" program as part of her scholarship obligation. Michael draws the interest of fellow student and mean girl Edna Santos, adding to the pressure on Merci at school. 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 T ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Meg Medina
Meg Medina is an American children’s book author of Cuban descent whose books celebrate Latino culture and the lives of young people. She is the 2023 – 2024 National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature. Medina is the recipient of the 2019 John Newbery Medal for her middle grade novel, '' Merci Suárez Changes Gears''. Early life and education Medina is the youngest of two daughters of Lidia Regla Metauten and Juan Norberto Medina, who emigrated from Cuba in the early 1960s. The couple separated shortly before Medina’s birth, and her mother relocated with her children to Queens, New York, where they were joined over the years with remaining family members from Cuba. Medina often points to her early life experiences as the underpinnings of her works, which examine themes of immigration, family estrangements, separation from loved ones, and financial hardships. Medina attended P.S. 22 in Flushing, Queens, followed by Junior High School 189. During her high school year ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |