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Gum

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. ©2017 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Illustrated by Jeff Newman

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 4-8
Age Range: PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7) Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: Anticipation Disappointment Expectations Money and Finances Perseverance

Publisher: Candlewick
Publish Year: 2017
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9780763677749

CCBC Location: Picture Book, Willard

Gum