  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 10/01/2017 In this exercise in persistence, James and Danny are intent on getting a silver race car out of a gum machine at a local store. They go through eight of their nine quarters without scoring the coveted prize. The ninth is James’ lucky Canadian quarter, so he hesitates, inadvertently drops it in the machine, and causes chaos in the store when all of the gum shoots out. The boys negotiate for the car and all ends well. In this hybrid picture book–easy reader, the lengthy text carefully describes each step as the duo try for the prize. Willard utilizes playful alliteration (“Something small and still slides” “Something round and raucous runs”) and much repetition (“‘I want my quarter back!’ ‘He wants his quarter back,’ says Danny”), which is helpful for readers mastering the art. There are some full-page illustrations, but most are brightly colored sketches of the main characters, the gum machine, and its contents surrounded by ample white space. Although small in scope, this will give readers plenty to chew on. - Copyright 2017 Booklist. School Library Journal - 11/01/2017 K-Gr 3—Two friends on a quest for a silver racer have nine quarters to reach their goal. Danny and James feed their coins into the gumball machine hoping each time that the small toy car will emerge. But even the Canadian quarter James brought may not be lucky enough. The descriptions of what the gumball machine delivers after each quarter show the author's clever word usage. Suspense builds as "something tumbles out," "something clatters out," "something small and still slides" out, and finally "something round and raucous runs" out of the spout. Each time readers will wait with anticipation to see if the silver racer has finally been won. The inked illustrations are reminiscent of the style used in the CBS Storybreak shows from the 1980s. Some fill a page, like the picture of the boys' faces seen through the glass of the gumball machine. Others offer small vignettes scattered across the page showing the reactions of Danny and James. Large spreads are used sparingly, like the opening scene with James standing by his parents' bed and asking for his allowance while the soft blue background perfectly captures the "six in the morning" stillness. VERDICT Perfect for a humorous read-aloud; the retro feel and the hilarious results of the boys' determination will keep readers and listeners riveted and rooting for their success.—Suzanne Costner, Fairview Elementary School, Maryville, TN - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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