A searchable database of books recommended by the CCBC.
(More information on CCBC book recommendations)
Merci Suarez Can't Dance
Back at Seaward Academy for seventh grade, Cuban American Merci has been tapped by the principal to revitalize the school store with classmate Wilson Bellevue. Meanwhile, Merci’s nemesis, Edna, in charge of planning the upcoming school dance, is capitalizing the time of Merci’s friend Hannah, straining Merci and Hannah’s friendship. At home, Lolo’s Alzheimer’s is progressing and Tía Ines is dating Papi’s employee Simon. It’s too much change, and with the exception of spending time with Wilson, Merci doesn’t like any of it; her warm feelings about Wilson, meanwhile, leave her confused. Merci’s resistance to moving outside her comfort zone is further challenged by Tía’s new dance studio and the expectation to participate. There are so many authentic characters and moments in this story, from some of Merci’s bad but believable decisions, especially around a borrowed iPad accidentally broken while in her care, to peer and family dynamics; from the matter-of-fact presentation of Wilson’s disability (he “swings one hip forward so his right leg can clear the ground. He says it doesn’t hurt or anything. He was born that way”) to the memorable scene in which Merci, talking to the principal about racist remarks, says, “It’s like getting paper cuts all the time, miss. They don’t look like much, but they hurt, especially if you get a lot of them, day after day.” Although Merci thinks she can’t dance, in the end she does, thanks to the support of her family and friends. ©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 8-12
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
Change
Cubans and Cuban Americans
Dance and Dancers
Ethical/Moral Choices
Families
Friendship
Physical Disability
Racism
Responsibility
School
Diversity subjects:
Black/African
Latine
Cognitive/Neurological Disability/Condition
Physical Disability/Condition
Publisher:
Candlewick
Publish Year: 2021
Pages: 372
ISBN: 9780763690502
CCBC Location: Fiction, Medina