Lucky Scramble

In this exuberant illustrated novel, veteran animator Raymundo (The Mysterious Sea Bunny) delivers an emphatic jaunt into the competitive, “ka-lickity” world of speed cubing, or solving a Rubik’s Cube as fast as humanly possible. Now that he’s qualified for the Speed Cubing National Championships in Las Vegas, 12-year-old Tyler Gooden, who’s portrayed with tan skin, dreams of winning the prestigious National Championship trophy. Financial constraints thwart his aspirations until a lifeline arrives in the form of a coveted sponsorship from CubeMania, a retailer offering Tyler an all-expenses-paid trip to the championships. Tyler endeavors to prove himself and make his family proud, but when he meets his fellow competitors—including eight-year-old prodigy Eli Newton, portrayed with pale skin—Tyler worries that he’s in over his head. Via reportorial prose and warmly rendered comics panels and spot illustrations, Raymundo imbues this story with tons of heart and action and brings to life a niche world ripe for exploring. Well-plotted emotional beats deftly ferry Tyler’s journey to victory, and the ensuing excitement will have readers eagerly turning the pages of this ode to determination and the relationships that competition can foster. Ages 8–12. (Apr.)