Chess Rumble
By G. Neri
Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson
Hardcover: out of stock
Paperback: $12.95
Ebook
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.
Reviews & Comments
Keith Schoch, How to Teach a NovelTeaching That Sticks
The Happy Nappy Bookseller
Reviewed Books Recommended by Librarians, Teachers, Parents, and Students for Irving ISD
Maw Books
JRobichess
Miami Family Magazine
Curriculum Connections
Chessville
The Chess Drum
The Texarkana Gazette
Counterpoise
People’s Weekly World
BookBuds
Kate Messner
The Brown Bookshelf
The Port Townsend Leader
BoysRead.org
Erin Marie
The Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children
Booklist
School Library Journal
Kirkus Reviews
About the Creators

G. Neri is the Eisner-nominated, Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author of Yummy: the Last Days of a Southside Shorty, which CNN and Flavorwire hailed as one of the top 25 essential graphic novels of all-time. He has written thirteen books for young people, including Ghetto Cowboy, which was made into the movie, Concrete Cowboy, starring Idris Elba, debuting at #1 on Netflix. His books have been translated into multiple languages in more than 25 countries. In 2023, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from SUNY for his literary output. Mr. Neri lives on the Gulf coast of Florida. For more information, visit his website at gneri.com.

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. Chess battles with family members are a favorite pastime. His Web site is jessewatson.com