CHESS CLUB

Four sixth graders who belong to a chess club learn about playing the game and also about themselves.

Halima Kasim’s favorite thing is chess. While she cherishes online play and texting moves with her cousin in Somalia, where her extended family lives, Halima wishes there were more “over the board” opportunities in her small town. When her queer best friend, Jemma Knight, who reads white, suggests she create an after-school chess club, Halima is hesitant. She knows the game, but can she be a leader? Summoning her confidence, Halima makes her opening moves: finding an adviser and recruiting Jem as her first member. The club soon gains two new members—white-presenting Parker Finnegan, who wants to stand out from his athletic twin siblings, and artsy Daniel Yang, who’s cued Chinese American and joins after finding a mysterious note in a library book. They’re distinct individuals who learn the value of teamwork; together they build friendships, immerse themselves in the world of chess, and navigate the roller coaster that is middle school. Alternating among all four kids’ perspectives, Donnelly effectively fuses various social themes, like navigating the loss of friendships, dealing with bullying, and being a good sport, with basic information about chess game play and history. Duffy’s grayscale illustrations delineate sections in coordination with clever on-theme names. Diagrams showing chess moves instruct budding players and help readers visualize the action.

A winner with lots of great moves.