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Leonard Kim's Reviews > Merci Suárez Changes Gears
Merci Suárez Changes Gears (Merci Suárez, #1)
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This is likable. I hope I will be forgiven this rating, as I am not really being contrarian with respect to the Newbery. I didn't like the stereotypical characterizations of several secondary characters: Roli above all, but also characters like Edna, Miss McDaniels, and Ms. Tannenbaum. Those who know me know this is more of a pet peeve than a larger comment about the book’s quality. I have complained in the past about representations of STEM and high-achieving kids, and I guess I am also sensitive to the representation of teachers and school staff, both the "good" and the not-so-good. Listened to audiobook.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
February 11, 2019
– Shelved
February 11, 2019
– Shelved as:
newbery-eligible-2018
February 11, 2019
–
Finished Reading
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Kari
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rated it 4 stars
Feb 11, 2019 10:58AM
I mostly agree about Edna. However, I really liked the part where Edna was facing some backlash and Merci said that people want to be around Edna but they were happy to see her downfall. I think that is an accurate description of middle school social dynamics and I appreciated the way she put it.
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Yes I do agree the end did better by these characters. Roli getting his college acceptance letter was also I think his best moment. The thing is, I actually started Merci a couple times this year. Members of the Newbery Committee may have to finish books and re-read. But for me, the fact that my issues are somewhat ameliorated at the very end isn't that helpful, because I didn't feel compelled to get there until it won.
I totally agree. I started and didn't finish this when it first came out because I thought the characters felt a bit stock and the plot had no momentum. Then I finished it because it won the Newbery and the ending is very satisfying. But shouldn't a great book grab you from the beginning? Or at least not drag in the middle?
