“Merci Suárez Changes Gears” follows Merci Suárez, a sixth-grader, as she navigates middle school, family, and personal challenges. Attending a private school on scholarship, she grapples with cultural differences and her family’s financial struggles. Participating in the Sunshine Buddies program, Merci befriends a student with Down syndrome, learning about empathy and friendship. Meanwhile, at home, she witnesses her grandfather’s declining health and its impact on her tight-knit family. The novel explores themes of identity, change, and the importance of understanding, all while Merci learns to adapt and find strength in her unique journey.
