In this follow-up to Medina’s Newberry-winning MERCI SUÁREZ CHANGES GEARS, Merci has made it through sixth grade and now she’s back for more, navigating school and family in her own inimitable way in this multi-layered story about friendship, love, and growing up.
When Merci is assigned to manage the supply closet-sized school store with Wilson, she’s not pleased about having to work closely with him, mostly because of the way seventh-grade boys make “annoying jokes about farting and body hair.” (Definitely don’t say “chicken breast sandwiches in front of them!”)
But Wilson turns out to be okay, and so does the job, until Miss McDaniels insists that the pair sell tickets for the school’s Heart Ball, which is being run by bossy Edna Santos. At home, Merci has to watch her rambunctious twin nephews more than ever, Lolo’s Alzheimers is getting worse, Merci’s “crazy smart” older brother Roli is away at college, and Tía is dating! Nothing makes sense like it used to, and Merci’s not sure who she can talk to about any of it.
Medina dedicates the book to “the Merci fans who wanted to know what happened next…” so give this sequel to anyone who has read the first story. They won’t be disappointed, and neither will readers new to Merci. MERCI SUÁREZ CAN’T DANCE is a wonderful, heartfelt novel that has it all—including a main character worth rooting for. I would dive right in if I were you!
--Lynn
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