Chess Rumble

By G. Neri
Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson

Ebook

View the Teacher's Guide
View the Interviews

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.

Watch the trailer: 



Check out the research-based novel study unit for Chess Rumble created by the staff at the award-winning, non-profit ReadWorks.org.

Video Interview with G. Neri and Jesse Joshua Watson

Check out this amazing School Library Journal feature about how author G. Neri and librarian Kimberly DeFusco changed a life.