Not an Easy Win

FOUR STARRED REVIEWS! Twelve-year old Lawrence is new to chess--can he find a way to get on the board, even though the odds are stacked against him?

Find out in this powerful novel about family, forgiveness, and figuring out who you are when you don’t make the rules—just right for middle-grade fans of Nic Stone and Jason Reynolds.

*“Essential middle grade and tween realistic reading.”—School Library Journal, starred Review

Lawrence is ready for a win. . . .

Nothing’s gone right for Lawrence since he had to move from Charlotte to Larenville, North Carolina, to live with his granny. When Lawrence ends up in one too many fights at his new school, he gets expelled. The fight wasn’t his fault, but since his pop’s been gone, it feels like no one listens to what Lawrence has to say.

Instead of going to school, Lawrence starts spending his days at the rec center, helping out a neighbor who runs a chess program. Some of the kids in the program will be picked to compete in the Charlotte Classic chess tournament. Could this be Lawrence's chance to go home?

Chrystal D. Giles is a champion for diversity in children’s literature. She made her debut with Take Back the Block, which received multiple starred reviews. Chrystal lives outside Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and son and is currently working on her next middle-grade novel.

★ “A wise and wonderful story.” —Booklist, starred review
 
★ “Fans of Akeelah and the Bee and Brooklyn Castle will cherish this well-characterized, compassionately told story that touches on financial precarity, intergenerational community, and the school-to-prison pipeline.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
 
★ “This is an all-consuming read about a young Black boy finding community and purpose. Essential middle grade and tween realistic reading.” —School Library Journal, starred review
 
★ “The characters are multidimensional and authentic: Complex issues, including poverty, parental incarceration, and racism, are explored with sensitivity, offering readers opportunities for reflection.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Smart and moving."—Book Riot