Lawrence is quick to defend himself when he’s taunted, which has gotten him into trouble since he and his younger sister, Nik, moved with their mom to Larenville, N.C., to live with their grandmother. After he’s expelled from predominantly white Andrew Jackson Middle School for fighting, he begins spending time with Mr. Dennis, a neighbor who runs an after-school program that serves mostly Black kids. It’s a relief to be away from his grandmother’s disapproval; Lawrence does his online schoolwork, helps prep for the other kids’ arrival after school, and learns to play chess. After a boy named Deuce baits Lawrence into a fight, a girl named Twyla points out that Lawrence can choose not to respond. Twyla also knows Lawrence and Deuce have a lot in common: Deuce has an absent mom and Lawrence an absent dad, painful situations for them both, and Deuce in particular is struggling. When Lawrence decides to try to connect with Deuce over a shared love of music, it changes their dynamic and sets the stage for friendship. Meanwhile, an upcoming chess tournament in Charlotte, Lawrence’s home town, has him determined to represent the after-school program along with Twyla and Deuce, a trip that underscores the fact that Larenville is home now … and that’s okay. There’s much to appreciate in this engaging story, from the cast of thoughtfully developed characters to the satisfying and authentic evolution of Lawrence’s relationships with Deuce, Twyla, and his grandmother in particular. (Ages 9-12)

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?

Lawrence doesn’t know anything about chess, but something about the center—and the kids there—feels right. Lawrence thought the game was over . . . but does he have more moves left than he thought?