Emergency Quarters

Written by Carlos Matias · Illustrated by Gracey Zhang

A boy must resist spending his emergency quarters on tempting city treats.

4.2 Goodreads · 258 ratings

40 pages· 786 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud· ~530L

$19.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Ernesto finally walks to school alone, clutching a quarter for emergencies. Each day, the city tempts him with baseball cards, arcade games, and hot tamales. Will he save his coin or indulge?

From the publisher

An Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor BookAuthor Carlos Matias and Ezra Jack Keats Award-winning illustrator Gracey Zhang deliver a stunning picture book based on a finalist in the New York Times Metropolitan Diary “Best of the Year,” about a young boy in the city who tries his best to avoid spending his precious quarters on tempting local treats in case of an “emergency.” A poignant, playful tale for fans of Matt de La Peña, Antwan Eady, and Jacqueline Woodson. Ernesto has waited his whoooole life to become a niño grande. A big boy. Now he’s finally old enough to walk the six blocks to school without his parents.Every morning, his mom hands him a shiny new quarter and reminds him they’re for emergencies. If Ernesto needs her, she’s only a pay phone call away. But each day reveals a tempting new treat to enjoy with his friends: crisp packs of baseball cards, arcade games, hot tamales, and fresh juices! Ernesto has the coins jingling in his pocket, so how will he choose to spend them?