Merci Surez Can't Dance

(Hardback)

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A Kirkus Reviews Most Anticipated Book of 2021
In Meg Medinas follow-up to her Newbery Medalwinning novel, Merci takes on seventh grade, with all its travails of friendship, family, loveand finding your rhythm.

Seventh grade is going to be a real trial for Merci Surez. For science shes got no-nonsense Mr. Ellis, who expects her to be a smart as her brother, Roli. Shes been assigned to co-manage the tiny school store with Wilson Bellevue, a boy she barely knows, but whom she might actually like. And shes tangling again with classmate Edna Santos, who is bossier and more obnoxious than ever now that she is in charge of the annual Heart Ball.

One thing is for sure, though: Merci Surez cant dancenot at the Heart Ball or anywhere else. Dancing makes her almost as queasy as love does, especially now that Ta Ins, her merengue-teaching aunt, has a new man in her life. Unfortunately, Merci cant seem to avoid love or dance for very long. She used to talk about everything with her grandfather, Lolo, but with his Alzheimers getting worse each day, whom can she trust to help her make sense of all the new things happening in her life The Surez family is back in a touching, funny story about growing up and discovering loves many forms, including how we learn to love and believe in ourselves.

Reviews

Merci returns for another year of challenges and triumphs at home and at Seaward Pines Academy...Mercis maturity and growth are as engaging and compelling as they were in the authors Newbery Medal winner, Merci Surez Changes Gears (2018). The cast is broadly diverse; Merci and her family are Cuban American, Edna is Dominican, and Creole and Cajun Wilson has a physical disability. An uplifting sequel told with heart and humor.
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

In this sequel to the Newbery-winning Merci Surez Changes Gears (2018), 12-year-old Merci takes on growing responsibilities both within her family and as a seventh-grader...Filled with the familiar, laugh-out-loud humor from the first title, this sequel will quickly pull readers, both returning and new, into Mercis world... Fans of Merci will root for her as they are immersed in her vibrant world full of unique characters and heartfelt surprises.
Booklist (starred review)

Newbery Medalist Medina artfully chronicles another year of highs and lows in the life of Cuban American middle schooler Merci Surez via this winning sequel to Merci Surez Changes Gears. . . Medina continues to build on the stellar character work of the first book, balancing laugh-out-loud one-liners (Buy a Heart Ball ticket if you have absolutely nothing better to do in this sad life) with vulnerability. . . This is a sequel of the finest quality, perfectly capturing the feelings of awkward first crushes (Did he say I look nice Or did he say I look like a rodent I cant decide) and evolving friendships.
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Merci navigates the troubles of home and seventh grade and the gap between the two with her irresistible combination of spirit and heart in this follow-up to the Newbery-winning Merci Surez Changes Gears (rev. 9/18). . . . Her relationships at school strengthen, to mirror the bonds she has with her family at home, and when school and home lives merge, Merci discovers the best way to manage change is with a bit of bravery, a welcoming attitude, and people you trust.
The Horn Book (starred review)

The follow-up to Meg Medina's 2019 Newbery Medal-winning novel, Merci Surez Changes Gears, is a joyous celebration of family and friendship. . . . Growing up is tough stuff, but Medina resolves conflict with unflinching honesty and the joy that comes with dancing. Ultimately, the hard lessons reinforce the heart of who Merci is: "I'm Team Surez and we don't back down." Merci is brave, spirited and impossible to forget.
Shelf Awareness (starred review)

Now in seventh grade, Merci Surez finds that a new school year means new responsibilities and challenges. . .The struggles with friendships, responsibility, school, crushes, and jealousy that Merci and her friends face will strike a chord with many readers. . .The plot moves along at a consistent and page-turning pace, and as usual Medinas characters are excellently written and developed. Medina also touches on racism and how shared cultural heritage can bring people together unexpectedly. . . Fans of Merci Surez Changes Gears will love watching how Merci and those around her grow. This sequel doesnt disappoint and is an essential purchase for all collections.
School Library Journal

Merci continues to be a vivid and dimensional character, strong-minded and capable but also believably twelve (her mother asks the inevitable question Whats wrong with you these days) and credibly nervous about moving out of her comfort zone. . . . The book is dedicated to Merci fans who wanted to know what happened next, and hopefully there are more volumes of next to come for sparky Merci.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

In Merci Surez Cant Dance (Candlewick, 384 pages, $17.99), life for Merci hasnt changed much on the outside, but inside things are astir. . . . This novel, like the first, makes a point of modeling a strong and loving family life for readers ages 9-13. People in the Surez households work hard, help one another and defer gratification.
The Wall Street Journal

This novel may remind you of how important family is when youre going through a tough time. It also includes great examples of the power of teamwork.
The Week Junior

This is a heartwarming book about a beautiful family and a young girl trying to make sense of middle grade.
Book Riot

The follow-up novel to the Newbery award-winning book, Merci Surez Changes Gears, takes readers into seventh grade with Merci on a new heartwarming adventure. With a new school year comes new challenges and new friendships as she plans the annual Heart Ball for her entire school.
Brightly

Meg Medina is the author I studied, and still study, to learn how to write for children. Her ear is impeccable; the way she captures not only dialogue but also communicates adolescent feelings without being condescending nor pitching extra soft softballs. Few people get the balance of writing about and for teens right.
Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times bestselling author

Author Bio

Meg Medina, the 20232024 National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature, is a Cuban American author who writes for readers of all ages. Her middle-grade novel Merci Surez Changes Gears received a Newbery Medal and was a New York Times Book Review Notable Childrens Book of the Year, among many other distinctions. Its sequel, Merci Surez Cant Dance, received five starred reviews, while Merci Surez Plays It Cool received four stars, with Kirkus Reviews calling it a fabulous finale to a memorable trilogy. Her most recent picture book, Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away, received honors including a Charlotte Zolotow Award and was the 2020 Jumpstart Read for the Record selection, reaching 2.24 million readers. She received a Pura Belpr Author Award Honor for her picture book Mango, Abuela, and Me. Her young adult novel Burn Baby Burn earned numerous distinctions, including being long-listed for the National Book Award and short-listed for the Kirkus Prize. Meg Medina received a Pura Belpr Author Award and a Cybils Award for her young adult novel Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, which has been adapted and illustrated as a graphic novel by Mel Valentine Vargas. She also received an Ezra Jack Keats Writer Award for her picture book Ta Isa Wants a Car.When she is not writing, Meg Medina works on community projects that support girls,Latinoyouth, and literacy. She lives with her family in Richmond, Virginia.