Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Merci’s family live in Miami.  They have three houses next to each other.  She goes to an exclusive school in trade for her family’s labor in painting and sewing.  Her older brother is considered the smartest kid in school and spends all his time in science labs.  She has younger twin brothers whom she loves, but hates to have to babysit.  She likes to play soccer and often plays on her father’s team.  Merci’s grandfather, Lolo, is changing due to Alzheimer’s.  At school, she tries to fit-in with a group of girls who tend to look down on her.

The book centers around Merce’s feelings and her not wanting change to happen and dealing with being a twelve-year-old.