Chess Club: The ­Winning Move

Gr 5 Up–In the small town of Upton Falls, NY, sixth grader Halima dreams of having a real-life chess partner. While her cousin Abdi in Kenya helps improve Halima’s game over video chat, virtual chess is just not the same as the real thing. Encouraged by her best friend Jem, Halima bravely suggests starting a chess club at their middle school. As Halima and her new companions become more adept at playing chess, they find themselves growing stronger in their friendships, as well. This engaging, early middle grade story revolves around the game of chess both in its design and in the narrative itself. Told from multiple points of view in the third person, the plot develops from several angles and offers readers insight into each character’s motives and emotions. Occasional illustrations are incorporated throughout the novel, and these images serve as both a visual respite and a guide for learning the fundamentals of chess. Several of the illustrations are diagrams of specific moves on a chess board, which enhances understanding of plays that are detailed in the narrative. Though relatively brief, this story is robust in depth and thoughtful in delivery, chronicling the development of a group of friends through the lens of chess. Diverse characters and positive role modeling may mean that this book resonates with youth and adults alike.