Check Mates by Stewart FosterMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Felix does his best, but he just can't concentrate in school. No one seems to understand how hard it is. No one but his quiet, closed off grandfather. Granddad's been a bit depressed since Grandma died. Until he comes up with a wonderful plan to help Felix concentrate. He's going to teach him chess!
This is a sweet, nice story about a grandson and grandfather learning to connect with each other. I know a little about the chess, just the basics, and was able to follow perfectly well, so don't be put off if you don't know anything about the game. I also learned some information about the Cold War that I hadn't known before, and that was really interesting to me.
One thing I did think was odd: Felix clearly has ADHD, but he doesn't seem to be getting any help. There's mention that he refused a classroom assistant because he was embarrassed, and he's in an extra reading class, but that's it. No other accommodations for him. This is a minor thing, however.
This is a lovely story that will also lead to discussion topics, and that's a great mix.
"Phew," says Jake. "You had me worried."
"I know," I say, trying to shake the fog out of my head. "They're all dweebs! I don't know what I was thinking."
"You were thinking it was a good idea."
"No, Granddad. I wasn't."
Jake gives me a strange look.
"What?" I say. "I'm not going in there."
"No," says Jake. "It's what you just did. You were talking to your granddad."
"Did I? Was I?"
"Yeah. It's like he's getting inside your head, brainwashing you. Maybe he's a spy. My dad always says he's a bit strange."
"My granddad's not strange," I snap. "And he's not a spy. What does your dad know? He's never even spoken to him."
"Sorry, didn't mean to upset you." Jake puts his arm around my shoulder. "He's not strange. Not really - now let's get some dinner and then we'll go and shoot some hoops."
"Hoops? What is hoops?"
Granddad, I say in my head. You're going to have to stop this.
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