Carlos Matias, originally from Queens and now living in Florida, reminisced about his childhood in New York by writing short stories submitted to the New York Times Metropolitan Diary. His story “Emergency Quarters,” inspired by his upbringing where his mother gave him a quarter daily for emergencies, became a finalist for “Best of the Year” in 2021 and was later adapted into a children’s book.
The story follows Ernesto, a boy like Matias, experiencing independence for the first time walking to school alone. His mother instructs him to use a pay phone in emergencies, prompting Ernesto to learn about these antiquated devices unfamiliar to today’s children. The book evokes nostalgia for the 1990s with vibrant illustrations by Gracey Zhang, capturing the colorful streets of Corona, Queens, and iconic local spots like the 7 train and Señora Mayra’s fruit stand.
https://www.npr.org/2024/06/30/nx-s1-4953375/emergency-quarters-carlos-matias-gracey-zhang
