Illustrated by: Courtney Dawson
Genre: Nonfiction, Autobiography
Awards: N/A
Summary:
Tani Adewumi was a small child when his family fled Nigeria to be safe in America. The family is devoutly Christian and needed to escape persecution from the terrorist group, Boko Haram. Tani's brother Austin taught him a version of chess to help him feel more comfortable during the familiy's upheaval. When the Adewumi family got to New York, they lived in a shelter, and Tani was not very comfortable with living arrangements. At PS 116, Tani's new school, Coach Shawn teaches him how to play chess. He learns that hard work is the only way to win in chesss, a lesson he carries with him throughout life. A year after arriving in America, Tani advanced to the chess state championship, where he won the first place prize.
Teacher Evaluation:
This book would be best used in for third or fourth-grade classes. Students could learn about the history of refugees in America after reading about Tani's experiences. Teachers could also discuss cause and effect from the book and study some causes of refugeeism. For reading comprehension practice, students could do a gallery walk that asks them to retell events from the story. If I were an elementary educator, I would use this book to discuss cultural sensitivity. This book simplifies common issues other cultures face, which gives teachers an opportunity to teach students kindness and respect for all people.
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