Booklists

CCBC Review:

Ernesto (Dominican American) is finally big enough to go to school on his own. On Monday, his mother puts a quarter in his hand. “For emergencies, Ernesto … If you need me, look for a pay phone.” Ernesto counts how many pay phones there are between home and school, reassured. Throughout the week, he gets a new quarter and the same reminder every morning. Day after day, he passes up chances to do something else with his quarters—buy a treat at Señor José’s bodega, play NBA Jam at Manny’s Video games, or get fruit juice from Señora Mayra’s stand. The coins are jingly security in his pocket, but he wishes he had more quarters, like his friend Raúl. “…we only have enough quarters for emergencies, mijo,” explains his mom. Ernesto has five quarters by the end of the week when an unexpected—and sweetly funny—emergency arises on Friday. A vibrant picture book narrative, wonderfully paced and with delightful details, is paired with lively mixed-media illustrations capturing the warmth of Ernesto’s family and the energy of his neighborhood. A short opening note from the author tells readers and listeners that there was a time when cell phones were not common, but pay phones were. In his childhood, it cost $.25 to make a call, and his mother gave him a quarter every day, telling him, “For emergencies, mijo.” Honor Book, 2025 Charlotte Zolotow Award  ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Gracey Zhang

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 5-9
Age Range: PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7) Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: City Life Community Dominicans and Dominican Americans Economic Hardship and Poverty Humor Money and Finances Mothers Wants and Needs
Diversity subjects: Black/African Latine

Publishers: HarperCollins, Katherine Tegen Books
Publish Year: 2024
Pages: 40
ISBN: 9780063271456
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Matias

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