February 5, 2024
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.

March 15, 2024
Puzzle cubes challenge a cast of determined contenders in a tense national competition. Twelve-year-old Tyler Gooden loves solving his Rubik's Cube. After his dad died three years ago, he felt adrift until he found this gift from his father, set aside years before. The mental aerobics and motor dexterity that cube-solving required gave him a sense of focus. So begins the story of Tyler's determined journey to the national championship, sponsored by Cube-Mania. He can't afford to attend, but Cube-Mania founder and CEO Victor Chen recognizes his "remarkable ability" and offers a surprise sponsorship. As the competition begins, Tyler meets a crew of fellow cubers, including "cubing prodigy" Eli Newton and his overbearing dad, twin sensations Lizzy and Izzy Peterson, world record holder Dirk Speedman, and the elderly Miles Wizzinski, the first great cuber of the 1980s, whose efforts have resulted in carpal tunnel syndrome. The story's slightly stilted present-tense language will make readers feel as though they're reading the novelization of a competition documentary (think The Speed Cubers or the Scrabble-focused Word Wars). Gamers' backstories combine with play-by-play scenes of puzzles being solved, shocking twists, and some well-earned victories. Colorful graphic novel panel interludes bring to life the drama of gameplay--it's hard to look away from this delightfully hyperfocused tale. Most characters present white; Tyler is of Filipino descent, the Peterson twins are Black, and Victor Chen is cued Asian. Joyfully captures an all-consuming passion for an intriguing niche interest. (Fiction/graphic hybrid. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 1, 2024

Gr 3-7-When Tyler's dad passed away, his only way of working through his depression was the challenge of solving the speed cube his dad had given him as a gift. Now three years later, Tyler, 12, has qualified to compete in the speed cubing national championship in Las Vegas. This colorfully illustrated novel interspersed with comic panels showcases Tyler and five other competitors as they compete for the title of National Champion. There's the young superstar Dirk who refuses to be anything but the best, the elderly Miles who's determined to have one last moment of glory, the young prodigy Eli with a dad who is obsessed with him outperforming everyone, and the twins Lizzy and Izzy who are struggling with what it means to be individuals. Together, they learn that it's OK to make mistakes and that competitive speed cubing is more about building a supportive community than trophies. Most characters are depicted with light skin. Tyler is Filipino American and Lizzy and Izzy have dark skin with black hair. VERDICT A fun, feel-good look into the world of competitive speed cubing that will surely inspire young readers to pick up a cube for themselves.-Amanda Melilli

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 19, 2024
Grades 3-6 Twelve-year-old Tyler dreams of making it to the Cube-Mania National Championships, the premiere event for Rubik's cube speed-cubers across the country. After winning a regional competition, the only thing stopping him is the fact that his mom can't afford the trip. Luckily, his performance in the regional tournament catches the attention of Cube-Mania founder Victor Chen, who offers Tyler a sponsorship, including an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas to compete at nationals. Once there, Tyler faces off against two-time world champion Dirk Speedman and a host of other top competitors from across the nation, each with their own story and motivation for competing. Lucky Scramble is a wonderful story featuring excellently executed prose and graphic storytelling. The use of light and color in the art supports the emotion of each panel. Raymundo's diverse cast of characters are relatable and will have readers cheering them on throughout the book. This is a perfect story for elementary and middle-school readers; it will certainly make readers want to run to buy a Rubik's cube.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.