FOUR STARRED REVIEWS! Twelve-year old Lawrence is new to chess–can he figure out how to get on the board, even though the odds are stacked against him?

“Endearing, timely, needed.”—Alicia D. Williams, Newbery-Honor winning author of Genesis Begins Again

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?

“This book made me want to step aside, hand over the mic, and listen to Wes. A must-read.” –Mariama J. Lockington, author of For Black Girls Like Me

Brand-new kicks, ripped denim shorts, Supreme tee—

Wes Henderson has the best style in sixth grade. That–and hanging out with his crew (his best friends since little-kid days) and playing video games–is what he wants to be thinking about at the start of the school year, not the protests his parents are always dragging him to.

But when a real estate developer makes an offer to buy Kensington Oaks, the neighborhood Wes has lived his whole life, everything changes. The grownups are supposed to have all the answers, but all they’re doing is arguing. Even Wes’s best friends are fighting. And some of them may be moving. Wes isn’t about to give up the only home he’s ever known. Wes has always been good at puzzles, and he knows there has to be a missing piece that will solve this puzzle and save the Oaks. But can he find it . . . before it’s too late?

Exploring community, gentrification, justice, and friendship, Take Back the Block introduces an irresistible 6th grader and asks what it means to belong–to a place and a movement–and to fight for what you believe in.
 
* “Outstanding.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review
 
* “Transformative.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Filled with hope, friendship, and grit.” –Stacy McAnulty, best-selling author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

“Timely and penetrating.” –Kelly Starling Lyons, author of Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations

“Chrystal Giles’s sparkling debut will have you standing up and cheering.” –Lisa Yee, award winning author of Millicent Min, Girl Genius

“Chrystal Giles really nailed it. I loved this book.” –Linda Williams Jackson, award winning author of Midnight Without a Moon

“Necessary and inspiring. An empowering read.” –Ashley Herring Blake, author of the Stonewall Honor Book Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World

“Wes will welcome middle grade readers into his delightful circle of friends, his strong and loving family, and his powerful community.” –Barbara Dee, author of the ALA Notable Children’s Book Maybe He Just Likes You