I started reading this book, Merci Suarez Changes Gears, a while ago (because it's the 2019 Newbery Award Winner!) and this challenge is just what I needed to push myself back into reading.
Currently, the main character, Merci Suarez, is in her Social Studies classroom with her bossy friend, Edna. In this chapter, we are getting to know her teacher, Ms. Tannenbaum. Mrs. Tannenbaum has introduced a big group project and the students are brainstorming materials. Merci has an idea but her overbearing friend, Edna is the only voice being heard. Ms. Tannenbaum approaches the group and the author, Meg Medina, begins to introduce this teacher through Merci's thoughts. I am always fascinated by the inferences a reader can make from the author's craft of writing.
"Just then, Mr. Tannenbaum, who has been circling the room, stops by our group. I look down at her feet. There's a tiny tattoo on her ankle, which Abuela would hate.".....
"Ms. Tannenbaum tugs on her earings. They're tiny mummies, I notice. She smells nice, too. Like laundry detergent and baby powder...."
"She smiles. Her teeth have a little space between them in front..... her blue eyes dart around, hopefully.
"Ms. Tannenbaum has a picture of herself on a misty footbridge in Peru. She went to the Canary Islands to learn how they talk in whistles in the mountains. She went to Africa to help protect gorillas. She's basically a courage machine in every way."
So, without every being directly introduced to this teacher, I know as a reader that she is someone I want to be! Seriously, in Africa to protect gorillas? I can tell she's a free spirit, adventurous, maybe even a bit of a rebel. I can tell Merci admires her and based on this chapter, will likely build a mentor-type relationship with her as the story unfolds.
I'm also predicting as the story unfolds, Merci will find her voice and stand up against her overbearing friend, Edna. :)
Until next week!
Dr. K.
