Merci Suárez Plays It Cool
By Joly Herman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fitting in, family play large in touching final Merci book.
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What's the Story?
In MERCI SUÁREZ PLAYS IT COOL, it's the start of eighth grade, and Merci is excited to see her friends to compare schedules. Merci's friends have had pretty exciting summers, but Merci has been helping her papi at work and pitching in with Lolo, her grandfather, whose Alzheimer's disease is getting worse. What if she's thrown into classes with the kids who don't even see her? How will she handle the pressure of helping handle the increasing needs at home, while juggling the stress of being an eighth-grader in a fancy private school?
Is It Any Good?
Moments of true poetry pepper the pages of the final book of the Merci Suárez trilogy. In Merci Suárez Plays It Cool, Merci is immersed in the Cuban American experience befitting a girl her age. Readers are treated to the feel of tight plastic loafers from Sears and the tragic taste of Abuela's arroz con pollo as it cools into a paste on the patio table. Merci's holding tight to the things that run through her veins, while exploring the new, exciting opportunities that are rolling out in front of her. The big issues of aging, illness, independence, identity, and community are beautifully addressed in this story.
Though there are some characters who don't feel fully developed (girls in her friend group feel interchangeable), and a subplot about her cousin's deadbeat dad feels supplemental, the tender, very human moments that hit home, truly hit the mark. Overall, this book serves to complete a series that tells the enriching story about a lovable girl and her family who are making their way through small triumphs and big challenges.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about cell phone and device usage in Merci Suárez Plays It Cool. How does Merci use her phone -- is she on it all the time, or just when she thinks it's important? Here's information about how cell phone usage impacts kids like Merci.
Would you rather text a friend about a situation or talk in person? What do kids in this book do?
Merci sees her cousins get put on a shelf by their dad. How are families different in reality than in books or shows? What do you see that's the same?
Book Details
- Author: Meg Medina
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models , Middle School
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Courage , Curiosity , Gratitude , Integrity , Perseverance
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Candlewick Press
- Publication date: September 13, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
- Number of pages: 352
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: September 17, 2022
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