The Black Church
The Making of Butterflies

Merci Suárez Can’t Dance

Seventh grade is going to be a real trial for Merci Suárez. For science she’s got no-nonsense Mr. Ellis, who expects her to be a smart as her brother, Roli. She’s been assigned to co-manage the tiny school store with Wilson Bellevue, a boy she barely knows, but whom she might actually like. And she’s 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 Suárez can’t dance—not at the Heart Ball or anywhere else. Dancing makes her almost as queasy as love does, especially now that Tía Inés, her merengue-teaching aunt, has a new man in her life. Unfortunately, Merci can’t seem to avoid love or dance for very long. She used to talk about everything with her grandfather, Lolo, but with his Alzheimer’s getting worse each day, whom can she trust to help her make sense of all the new things happening in her life? The Suárez family is back in a touching, funny story about growing up and discovering love’s many forms, including how we learn to love and believe in ourselves.

More Juvenile Books

  • The story of a Cuban refugee and her joy in an unexpected encounter that connects her beloved home in Havana with her new home in Atlanta Each evening Coqui waits for the familiar cry of the Peanut Man—”¡Mani! Peanuts!”—and watches for him to appear on the street below her window. They always greet each other in their own special way—Coqui tucks her thumbs in her ears and sticks out her tongue at Emilio. And Emilio, to her great amusement, does the same in return. Night after night, the two friends continue their ritual. One evening, Coqui sadly announces, “Nos vamos.” She [...]

  • In The Wolf, The Duck & The Mouse, a mouse discovers that being swallowed by a wolf isn't the end of the world when he finds a duck already living comfortably inside. With delicious food, elegant table settings, and the joy of dancing, the duo learns to enjoy their unexpected situation—until a hunter threatens their newfound happiness. This charming tale by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen offers a whimsical perspective on cooperation and creative cuisine.

    Read More about "The Wolf, The Duck & The Mouse"...

  • In The Year of the Buttered Cat, Lexi Haas, a brave teenager with a complex past, faces a pivotal moment as she counts down to a risky brain surgery that could change her life. With a determination to find her "missing" body and reconnect with her friends, Lexi embarks on a heartfelt journey filled with friendship, loss, and self-discovery, echoing the empowering themes found in Wonder by R.J. Palacio and Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper.

    Read More about "the year of the buttered cat"...

  • In Twenty Questions, acclaimed author Mac Barnett invites readers to explore the playful and profound nature of questions that spark curiosity. Through a whimsical narrative paired with vibrant illustrations by Christian Robinson, the book encourages speculation and imagination, demonstrating that not all questions have definitive answers, and some lead to endless possibilities.

    Read More about "Twenty Questions"...