Scan barcode
annastasia_will's review against another edition
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bibliobrandie's review
An all-consuming read about a young Black boy finding community and purpose in an unlikely space. This compassionately told story touches on financial precarity, intergenerational community, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Always love a good chess story!
kristinajean's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
retiredlibrarylady's review
5.0
I loved this book about Lawrence, a middle schooler whose family have put him into a "good" school where the majority of the students are white.... and he is not. He feels bullied and blamed, gets into fights, and is expelled. His grandmother, with whom he and his mother & sister live, says he has to get a job or leave! He tells a neighbor about the situation, and Mr. Dennis takes him to the local rec center and puts him to work. There he finds friends, does school work online, gets a crush on Twyla, makes an enemy in Deuce, and learns to play chess. He is so good that he gets to go to a tournament with Twyla and Deuce. He ends up friends with Deuce and his family finds a better educational setting. It's a happy ending; the whole thing is a bit unbelievable but also gives strategies for handling anger and trauma.
mixedreader's review
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mrs_bookdragon's review
5.0
This book is simply beautiful! I loved the messages throughout the story and the character change.
librariandest's review
4.0
I really liked the first 75% of this book and then the plot ran out of stream and I found it slow at the end. Still, I appreciate that it didn’t have a cliche ending. My favorite aspect of this book was how it used chess as both a metaphor and motivation for the main character.