Merci Suarez is a delightful book for middle school students that deals with the changes and challenges of being a tween.  Merci and her brother Roli are scholarship students at a posh private school in Florida, a situation that includes its own challenges, including extra community service hours.  The author has done an outstanding job of depicting life in middle school and in a multi-generational family.  Merci has to try to fit in, has her first crush, and has to deal with her beloved grandfather’s health issues.  Other themes that the author dos a good job of addressing are the idea of rich versus poor and how important family is.   Edna Santos is the bully in the novel and is portrayed realistically, as are the teachers in the book who touch Merci’s life.  The Spanish language is used throughout the book, in a descriptive and natural conversational style.  Merci is a likable young lady with a lot of challenges and a message for other tweens during puberty and  facing the regular problems in middle school.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions that are expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use off Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”