Checkmate (Cruisers Series #2)

by Walter Dean Myers

Overview

In the second book of the CRUISERS series, Walter Dean Myers explores the world of competitive chess as seen through the eyes of a group of middle school misfits.Sidney Aronofsky is one of the best chess players under age 16. When he's arrested for trying to buy drugs, it comes as a total surprise to those who know him. The expectations of parents, schools, and tutors pressure the young players. Sidney loves and wants to play chess, but dislikes the constant spotlight. He thinks that if he appears to be involved in drugs he'll be excused from playing on the school's team. In this book Zander and his creware back, using the Cruiser school newspaper express their frustrations and triumphs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545389297
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	08/01/2011
Series:	Cruisers Series , #2
Sold by:	Scholastic, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
Lexile:	730L (what's this?)
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

The late Walter Dean Myers was the 2012-2013 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. He was the critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of an award-winning body of work which includes Somewhere in the Darkness, Slam!, and Monster. Mr. Myers has received two Newbery Honor medals, five Coretta Scott King Author Book Awards, and three National Book Award Finalist citations. In addition, he was the winner of the first Michael L. Printz Award.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 5–8—Zander Scott and the Cruisers are now coping with middle-school pressures at Da Vinci Academy for the Gifted and Talented in Harlem. Vice principal Culpepper asks for their help when Sidney, the school chess prodigy, is picked up by the police for attempting to buy drugs. But as Zander learns, there are no easy answers to serious problems. The novel ends on a hopeful note following a climactic chess match between Da Vinci and a rival school with Sidney's realization: "It could go wrong, but I know I got some people on my side." Myers includes his trademark themes, such as personal responsibility, making difficult choices, and coping with pressure, but scales back their intensity for a younger audience. Although setting and language are urban, situations and characters are universal enough to appeal to most middle schoolers. The antidrug message comes through loud and clear, but is authentically expressed by the characters. Although second in a series, Checkmate ably stands alone: personal details about the members and references to how the Cruisers formed provide enough backstory for new readers to know the group well. Zander is an engaging, thoughtful narrator who makes introspection look cool; the three other members of his group are distinct characters in their own right.—M. Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY

School Library Journal

Zander attends Harlem's DaVinci School for the Gifted and Talented. He and his friends form a school group called The Cruisers, and soon they're asked by Mr. Culpepper, the assistant principal, to help someone who's been arrested for buying drugs. Sidney is the school's chess prodigy and the last person anyone would expect to succumb to drugs. Narrator Kevin Free captures diverse kids, parents, and the unreasonable Mr. Culpepper. He also handles the subtle humor, gritty situations, and interactions between kids and parents most authentically. In addition to hearing an entertaining story, listeners will learn about drugs and what may be ahead for a user. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

SEPTEMBER 2011 - AudioFile