Chess Rumble

A story in free verse about a troubled boy who learns to use his mind instead of his fists through the guidance of an unconventional mentor and the game of chess.

Children's Literature

Marcus lives in an inner city neighborhood where battles are fought every day--on street corners, in the park, at school. His life had been tolerable when his sister was alive and his dad was at home, but his sister died and his grieving dad just up and left. Now Marcus is living with his mom and his younger twin brothers and nothing is working out for him. He is close to being expelled when the school nurse introduces him to CM, a chess master. CM challenges Marcus to a game, but Marcus upsets the board, sending the pieces flying, and leaves, reinforcing his self-image as a loser. His temper explodes when his mom tries to talk to him. Then his dad tells him in a telephone call that he has to be the man of the house. It is just too much for Marcus to deal with. Then one day he sees CM playing chess at the edge of the neighborhood basketball court with some guys his age. This time Marcus agrees to play and he becomes hooked on bettering his game. He learns that three moves is all it takes to change the outcome. Lessons Marcus learns while playing chess spill over into other areas of his life and he accepts CM as his mentor. The story is told in street language with a concise format that verges on being poetic. Black-and-white illustrations contribute to the intensity of Marcus s challenges. A tribute to the value of chess playing for middle grade students. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.

G. Neri was born outside of Los Angeles, where he developed a passion for filmmaking and animation. His films earned several honors, including a Student Academy Award nomination. Neri went on to teach animation and storytelling to inner city youth and became a founding member of the Truth teen anti-smoking campaign. Now living in Tampa, Florida, with his wife and daughter, he has turned is talents to writing for teens and children. This is his debut book.

Jesse Joshua Watson is a fine artist and illustrator whose work has appeared in galleries, on CD covers, and most recently in children's books. An avid traveler, much of Watson's artwork reflects the cultures and people he connects with along the way. His other pastimes include surfing and engaging in his own intense chess battles with family members. Watson lives with his wife and their sons in Port Townsend, Washington.