Chess Rumble

By Jesse Joshua Watson (Illustrator)

A troubled boy learns to fight life's battles on a chessboard instead of with his fists.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 343 ratings

64 pages

$12.95Save 4%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Marcus, fueled by anger and loss, is on the brink of expulsion. When he meets CM, an unexpected chess mentor, he's challenged to channel his rage into strategy. As Marcus navigates street battles and school conflicts, can he learn to anticipate life's moves and regain control? Chess becomes more than a game; it's a lifeline. Will Marcus embrace this new path or succumb to his fists? Discover how three moves can change everything in this gripping tale of resilience and transformation.

From the publisher

Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, American Library Association (ALA) Notable Books in the Language Arts, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award, International Literacy Association (ILA) Top Picks for Reluctant Readers, BoysRead.orgA story in free verse about a troubled boy who learns to use his mind instead of his fists through the guidance of an unconventional mentor and the game of chess.Three movesis all it takesto change the outcomeof the game. In Marcus’s world, battles are fought everyday-on the street, at home, and in school. Angered by his sister’s death and his father’s absence, and pushed to the brink by a bullying classmate, Marcus fights back with his fists. One punch away from being kicked out of school and his home, Marcus encounters CM, an unlikely chess master who challenges him to fight his battles on the chess board. Guarded and distrusting, Marcus must endure more hard lessons before he can accept CM’s help to regain control of his life. Inspired by inner-city school chess enrichment programs, Chess Rumble explores the ways this strategic game empowers young people with the skills they need to anticipate and calculate their moves through life.

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