Me & the Magic Cube

First-person narration expresses frustration and fascination with Ernő Rubik’s Magic Cube in this lengthy work, which delves deeply into the object’s design. Fehr assumes no background knowledge as a pale-skinned youth describes their discovery of a “really cool cube. With six colors. One color per side.” It’s not long before the colored sides are all mixed up, though, setting the protagonist on a mission to find someone who can assist in solving the puzzle. Dad’s no help, nor are the kids at school, but Mom proves to be a secret speedcuber. As the narrative unfolds, it also offers history of and facts about the object, including its “twisty puzzle” origins and path to patenting. Via electric coloring and a spray effect, Golden Cosmos’s energetic pop art enlivens the text-heavy story. Tips for budding cubers conclude. Ages 6–10. (Sept.)