One quarter in the gumball machine at Mr. Wright’s story gets six gumballs. “Lucky people get six gumballs and a plastic four-leaf clover. Very lucky people get six gumballs and a ring. Very, very lucky people get six gumballs and a little silver racer.” Danny and James have been eyeing the little silver racer in the gumball machine for a month. Today’s the day they’ll try to get it. They take turns putting in the quarters they’ve been saving. They get gumballs, and more gumballs. (“I wish I liked gumballs.”) James gets a ring. Then a three-leafed four-leaf clover. And more gumballs. Danny gets a little wheel, which isn’t even a thing. And more gumballs. James’s fifth and final quarter is his lucky Canadian quarter. Should he risk it? The drama builds as the quarters disappear in a delightful story about desire and disappointment and the unexpected—both good and bad—that is wonderfully child-centered. The colored ink illustrations have an old-fashioned sensibility in a story featuring two white boys. (Ages 4-8)

In a timeless tale of small moments and big victories, two boys' singular obsession with an elusive prize pays off in a most surprising way.

James has five quarters and Danny has four. That means nine whole tries to get the little silver race car out of the gumball machine at Mr. Wright's store after school. Only very, very lucky people get both gumballs and the silver racer. It's a good thing that one of James's quarters is a Canadian quarter, which just so happens to be very, very lucky. But is it lucky enough to get him that silver racer? Bing! Bang! Kaboom! He's about to find out! Retro-style illustrations in vivid colors add to the classic feel of this new story by poet Nancy Willard, author of the 1982 Newbery Medal winner, A Visit to William Blake's Inn.