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. (Ages 4-8)