Chess Rumble 
By G. Neri
Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson
9781584302797
Three moves
is all it takes
to change the outcome
of 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.
Booktalk with author G. Neri
Video Interview with creators G. Neri
and Jesse Joshua Watson
Book Trailer
- Awards
-
Children's Books of the Year
Bank Street College Children's Book Committee
ALA Notable Children's Book
American Library Association (ALA)
Skipping Stones Award
Skipping Stone Magazine
Notable Books in the Language Art
National Council of Teachers of English
Top Picks for Reluctant Readers
BoysRead.org
- Interest Level
- Grades 3 - 8
- Reading Level
- Grades 4 and up
- Themes
- African/African American Interest, Bullying, Conflict resolution, Coping with Death, Education, Family Traditions, Games & Toys, Mentors, YA interest, Middle Grade
- Kirkus Reviews
- School Library Journal
- Booklist
- The Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children
- Erin Marie
- BoysRead.org
- The Port Townsend Leader
- The Brown Bookshelf
- Kate Messner
- BookBuds
- People’s Weekly World
- Counterpoise
- The Texarkana Gazette
- The Chess Drum
- Chessville
- Curriculum Connections
- Miami Family Magazine
- JRobichess
G. Neri is an award-winning filmmaker and new media producer from Los Angeles, where he also taught animation and storytelling to inner-city youth. Now living in Tampa, Florida, with his wife and their daughter, Neri writes for teens and children. This is his debut book soon to be followed by his graphic novel, Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty. His Web site is gregneri.com
Jesse Joshua Watson is a fine artist and illustrator whose work has appeared in galleries, on CD covers, and more recently in children's books. An avid traveler, Watson's artwork reflects the cultures and people he connects with along the way. Watson lives with his wife and their sons in Port Townsend, Washington. His Web site is jessewatson.com
