By Carlos Matias
Illustrated by Gracey Zhang
Katherine Tegen Books / HarperCollins, 2024
40 pages
978-0-06-327145-6
Ages 5-9
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. And day after day, he passes up chances to do something else with his quarters, such as 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. While the coins are jingly security in his pocket, he wishes he had more quarters, like his friend Raúl. But “…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 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, “For emergencies, mijo.” ©2024 Cooperative Children’s Book Center