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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
May Li is not the best player in the world. She is just one of the best players at the middle school, who, like the others in the chess club, made it to the state championship. She was so excited to go, but she lost her last game, so didn’t qualify for a prize. But it turned out, because she was a girl, that she got a special prize for just participating at that level. One one hand, this felt like cheating, but on the other hand, ohh, shiny trophy.
Thus beings May’s back and forth about whether she was really a good player or not. She kept worrying that she was a fraud, and despite knowing all she knew about the game, overthinking all her moves.
What I like about this, is the thinking that goes through May’s head. And how she learns that what makes the game important is the love of the game. Yes, it is important to win, but it is also important to enjoy playing, or what is the point?
This book also has the usual misunderstood friendships, and boys, but they are all there for a purpose, and are not thrown in because they have to be there.
The author said she based May on her own life playing chess as a girl growing up. And this shows. I also like the thinking of her chess coach who tells her not to make chess her be-all and end-all. Because when you stop playing, what have you left?
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out on the 17th of September 2024.
This is the perfect book for our young readers! It's a story of friendship, high stakes and finding your place in the world! May is a wonderful main character! She's easy to relate to, like and you can't help but cheer her on! The book is full of girl power and some boys may not care for that but it's perfect for those kids who put too much pressure on themselves! Thank you StoryGram Tours, Kyla Zhao and Penguin Kids for sharing this book with me!
A little corny - but with great messaging.
I also really loved the foreshadowing of the chapter titles.
I also really loved the foreshadowing of the chapter titles.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved 12-year-old May’s navigation of friendships, especially friendships that also involve an element of competition. The (real or perceived) pressures from parents, administrators, and other students were realistically portrayed, as were the lessons she learned about bringing back her joy. A fun read for fans of chess, soccer, and friendships!
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
A MG book about dedication, anxiety and girl power.
♟️
May Li just earned a victory at the chess state championship and her team also got a bid to nationals. She returns to school a bit of a star, earning a spot on a billboard with a popular soccer player and getting an article written about her in a chess magazine. An argument with fellow teammate, Ralph, has her challenging him for the team captain role at nationals. The pressure is on as May tries to juggle chess club, outside of school practice and just being a middle school kid who wants to have fun with friends. Can she achieve everything she wants?
♟️
This was a really good middle grade book that deals with the topic of balancing school, friendships, and extra curricular activities. I see the struggle in my students, especially in 7th grade because that’s when they can do sports, cheer, dance, theater, etc. This was a great recommendation from Adrianna and I’m glad I bumped it up on my TBR.
CW: sexism
4.25 because the characters read like 4th or 5th graders, but they’re in 7th grade so I know my middle schoolers will struggle with this a bit.
♟️
May Li just earned a victory at the chess state championship and her team also got a bid to nationals. She returns to school a bit of a star, earning a spot on a billboard with a popular soccer player and getting an article written about her in a chess magazine. An argument with fellow teammate, Ralph, has her challenging him for the team captain role at nationals. The pressure is on as May tries to juggle chess club, outside of school practice and just being a middle school kid who wants to have fun with friends. Can she achieve everything she wants?
♟️
This was a really good middle grade book that deals with the topic of balancing school, friendships, and extra curricular activities. I see the struggle in my students, especially in 7th grade because that’s when they can do sports, cheer, dance, theater, etc. This was a great recommendation from Adrianna and I’m glad I bumped it up on my TBR.
CW: sexism
4.25 because the characters read like 4th or 5th graders, but they’re in 7th grade so I know my middle schoolers will struggle with this a bit.
I think that it was really well written, and hope that there is a sequel so I can keep reading about the main character.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
✨ "But life isn't an infinite to-do list with boxes to be checked off. It's not done with this goal, on to the next. You have to pause and make time for celebrating how far you've come."
A fun and breezy read that I finished in a few hours!
I enjoyed how the author takes us through the world of competitive chess, while also exploring themes of family, friendship and identity. May's struggles were relatable and authentic, especially how a passion can feel so different when it becomes a job, competition or livelihood. I also loved the representation and getting to know all the various characters.
While not exceptional, this was still an entertaining and illuminating middle-grade novel that many (especially young readers) will enjoy.
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group for the Netgalley ARC.
A fun and breezy read that I finished in a few hours!
I enjoyed how the author takes us through the world of competitive chess, while also exploring themes of family, friendship and identity. May's struggles were relatable and authentic, especially how a passion can feel so different when it becomes a job, competition or livelihood. I also loved the representation and getting to know all the various characters.
While not exceptional, this was still an entertaining and illuminating middle-grade novel that many (especially young readers) will enjoy.
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group for the Netgalley ARC.