Merci Suárez Changes Gears

Merci is a scholarship student at a fancy private school, part of a large Cuban American family in Florida where everyone knows everyone's business and the adults keep secrets the kids are supposed to pretend not to notice. Her grandfather is changing — forgetting things, losing himself — and nobody will say what's happening. Medina writes about class, identity, family loyalty, and grief with extraordinary precision. Newbery Medal winner. A book about the specific experience of being between worlds — not poor enough to be excused, not rich enough to belong — and figuring out who you are inside that gap.